More Inspiration

A couple of years back, under the loving care of French harmonica master JJ Milteau, a harmonica compilation called Inspiration: 22 Great Harmonica Performances was released by Universal Jazz. It sold rather a lot more than originally expected, so Milteau was asked to work on a second opus, which will be released on May 9th in France, under the title Inspiration:  22 Rare Harmonica Performances.  I've been privileged enough to help JJ in selecting some of the tracks, and I'm very pleased to let you know now, in a worldwide premiere, the exact contents of this new compilation. As you will see, there are some rare things indeed, and Howard Levy fans especially will be pleased to hear an amazing track that has been out of print since 1985 and never released in CD.

Here's the track listing :

• Jerry Jeff Walker - Harmonica Talk
• Damien Masterson - Intercambio
• Eddie Taylor (w. George Harmonica Smith) - Going upside your head
• El Fish (Steven deBruyn) - Pussy Arrête
• Norton Buffalo - Eighteen Wheels
• Hugo Diaz - Mi Buenos Aires querido
• Duster Bennet - I choose to sing the blues
• Don Les & Mo Vint - After you've gone
• Paul Butterfield - Born under a bad sign (live)
• Donald Kachamba - Tiye tiye loko jive
• Little Walter - I just keep loving her
• Laurent Maur - Slap mama
• Wilson Poirier - Le reel des écureuils
• Charles Leighton - Gershwin's 2nd Prelude
• Les Primitifs du Futur - Leecan & Cooksey
• Andy Belvin - Travelin' Mood
• Paquito d'Rivera (w. Howard Levy) - The Lady and the Tramp
• Yoshiro Morimoto - Konomichi
• Papa John Kolstad (w. Mike Turk) - Beans Taste Fine
• Gabriel Grossi - Rebuliço
• Jimmy Smith - Mountain Blues
• Donald Black - Slow Airs

I can't wait for it to come out. I love the first Inspiration, which I believe to be one of the most comprehensive aural panoramas of what the harmonica can be, and I heard some of the tracks on this new release, all of them astounding. I'll post a quick review when I have the thing in my hand in a couple of weeks!

Comments

[Rick]

I found the 22 Rare Harmonica Performances song listing quite interesting and eclectic. The only song that I thought stood out as not belonging was Norton Buffalo's "18 Wheels." Don't get me wrong, Norton is one of my heroes and I bought that album when it was released (still have the LP). "18 Wheels" is a great song with some great harmonica but that album is loaded with great songs and harmonica. If I were to pick a song from that record for the compilation - this is only my opinion - I would select Puerto De Azul. I saw him open for Tom Waits and do that song live with his band (was it the Stampede?) in 1978 and I've played it live countless times with blues, rock and folk/country bands since about that same time. Not only is it a great melody, interesting chord structure and challenging harmonica piece, it always got a great audience response for me.

Just my opinion. Hope the project goes well and I look forward to hearing it.