Whoopin' The blues

Subject: RE: Whoopin' The blues
From: Mike Billo
Date: 05 Nov 99 - 10:03 AM

The late J. C. Burris (Sonny's nephew)told me that making vocal sounds (whoops, hollers, etc.)through the harmonica was something that all harmonica players used to do. Sonny just became well known and they not.

There are some very early recorded examples of this technique from a guy named Freeman Stowers.

Subject: RE: Whoopin' The blues
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 05 Nov 99 - 08:00 AM

Doctor John,

I'm with the other Roger on this one. When I saw your thread title, I just assumed it was about Sonny. Certainly, it was a trademark for him. I have seen a few harp players who utilize it sparingly, but none as much as Sonny did.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Whoopin' The blues
From: Roger the skiffler
Date: 05 Nov 99 - 05:53 AM

I was only listening to one of my Sonny & Brownie CDs last night,Doc, I've always associated the whooping with Sonny, and assumed it was his own trademark. No doubt other 'catters might know of an earlier influence but I can't offhand think of one in what I like to think is a fairly comprehensive collection (spouse in background:" Fairly? You've got them all".Me: "So why did you just buy me another half doz. including a Muddy Waters I hadn't got".)
RtS

Subject: Whoopin' The blues
From: Doctor John
Date: 04 Nov 99 - 01:47 PM

In Sonny Terry's recordings with Blind Boy Fuller, Woody & Cisco, Lead Belly, Brownie etc there's lots of "whooping". I've never heard this in other hca players such as Noah Lewis. could anyone tell me where this style originated. Dr john