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06 Feb 12 - 08:33 AM (#3303018) Subject: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: Tigger the Tiger Can any harmonica players please give me there opinions about Paul's playing?This was the only blues harmonica I have really been around regularly. I am not a harmonica player,so I would just like to know what players thought about these performances?Thanks |
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06 Feb 12 - 08:41 AM (#3303022) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: Will Fly An excellent player, but why not go back to other great players - like Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy Williamson (1), Rice Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson 2), Little Walter, Sugar Blue, etc. - and draw your own conclusions. |
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06 Feb 12 - 09:00 AM (#3303033) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: Tigger the Tiger I was just never around other harmonic players every night watching them play live. Paul's performances seemed to be improv to a certain extent. I thought it was fantastic,but this was also the first time I was around the electric back-up with Mike Bloomfield,etc. I had heard the older blues players but not actually seen how they performed. I was just curious about how other players felt.Thanks. |
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06 Feb 12 - 09:23 AM (#3303042) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: G-Force Well I don't know how you judge or compare, but he was certainly a very effective blues harmonica player. I bought the first PB Blues Band album recorded in 1965 when it came out (it was only the second album I ever bought) and absolutely loved it. Still do, only now it's the CD. I thought the second album was 'good and bad in parts' and I didn't much like what I heard of the subsequent ones so I didn't bother getting them. The 'lost' first album, i.e. the one which would have been the first album if they hadn't shelved the tapes, is also now available as 'the lost Elektra sessions' and is pretty good too. |
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06 Feb 12 - 10:18 AM (#3303072) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: Bobert What WillFly said... There's hundreds and hundreds of fine blues harp players, both deceased and alive, out there to hear... Order my CD and you'll hear 4 different, but all very accomplished, harp players on it... B~ |
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06 Feb 12 - 11:43 AM (#3303114) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: Lonesome EJ Excellent player in the Little Walter style. Paul put together a band that effectively blended 50s-era Chicago electric blues with a late 60s raga rock edge. I would put Paul in my top ten players. He also had a very distinctive vocal delivery that stayed true to the Blues influences like Muddy Waters who influenced him. |
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06 Feb 12 - 12:01 PM (#3303122) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: pdq Lots of fine harmonica players such as Alan Wilson, Don Brooks, Jimmie Fadden, James Cotton, DeFord Bailey, Norton Buffalo, Mickey Rafael, Doc Watson, Charlie Musselwhite, even Pigpen had his moments. Who is great (or greatest) is a matter of opinion. Style is what counts, as well as how much the player adds to a song. Paul Butterfield deserves a great deal of appreciation for starting a fine band that did a lot of great shows and made a plot of people happy. Some harp players were better technicians, some not as good. That ain't the only thing that goes into being a good musician. |
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06 Feb 12 - 12:28 PM (#3303133) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: Lonesome EJ True, pdq, lots of fine harp players. The few times I've heard Mick Jagger play harp I have been amazed at his tone and dexterity, by the way. I lean toward guys like Rice Davis who are more tone and taste players than guys who are very technically proficient. |
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06 Feb 12 - 12:40 PM (#3303137) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: pdq It was sad to lose Norton Buffalo a short time ago. He did some fine playing on Steve Miller records. He is featured on a "novelty" CD called The Vultures with Dave Grisman and others. If you have not head it you should. Paul Butterfield did an instrumental duet with John Sabastian,"Amazing Grace". It's on one of the Woodstock Review series. Goosebump time. |
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06 Feb 12 - 12:54 PM (#3303143) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: GUEST,John Foxen Paul Jones with the Blues Band rather than Manfred Mann is worth a listen For jazz try Toots Thielemans. |
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06 Feb 12 - 03:48 PM (#3303244) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: meself The question is about Paul Butterfield, so: a great player. I wish I'd had the opportunity to see him live. (Yes, there are other greats, and some who are superior in some ways, but he's the one being asked about .... ) |
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06 Feb 12 - 03:58 PM (#3303250) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: GUEST,C. Ham I was not a big fan of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band albums of the 1960's. But I loved the two Paul Butterfield's Better Days albums that came out in the 70's. |
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06 Feb 12 - 05:11 PM (#3303281) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: Bobert A 2nd on the lose of Norton Buffalo... His work with Roy Rogers was tops... B~ |
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06 Feb 12 - 11:51 PM (#3303499) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: GUEST,SirCoughsalot One of the best. His playing blows my mind. The stuff he did on Mystery Train off the Band's Last Waltz is out of sight. |
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07 Feb 12 - 05:08 AM (#3303551) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: Tigger the Tiger Thanks so much for the opinions on Butterfield. I heard ten sets per week and I thought he was terrific. They were playing all summer at a club in the Village;took a week off while Muddy Waters came,another when the Kweskin Jug Band played. This was the only time I really saw lots of live harmonica,so I was curious. |
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09 Feb 12 - 09:20 PM (#3305150) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: Chris C Hi Tigger I'm not a harp player, but as a blues gtr player for many years, I've worked with a few really fine ones. Butterfield is regarded by myself and all of the "blues guys" I've ever heard talk about him (some of whom knew him) as great. He's not without equal as a harmonica player or singer, but the whole package - his intensity, authenticity, vision, band-leadership - made for one of the greatest Chicago blues ensembles ever. And that's saying a lot. I'd love to hear any recollections, stories, etc about your experiences having seen the band so many times...not to hijack the thread. Feel free to PM me if you want, but I bet lots of 'Catters would love to hear about Butterfield, Bloomfield and company back in the day. Wish I coulda been there. (Take us back, please!) Best, ~CC |
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09 Feb 12 - 09:24 PM (#3305151) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: Bobert Hey, CC... Bobert here... You know me... B~ |
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09 Feb 12 - 09:42 PM (#3305154) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: GUEST,guest Interesting thread. I've played the blues harmonica at pro level since the mid 60's,and I saw Paul twice in London in '66 and once around '84. In my opinion he was one of the greatest of all time and stands alongside Little Walter. His tone and note choice was incredible and his sound was pulled from his diaphragm with great technique. He was more than a populariser,he was a great original! |
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10 Feb 12 - 01:03 AM (#3305158) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: Lonesome EJ Born in Chicago was one of Butterfield's staples and this version reflects his typical overdriven sound but is also fun beause its an opportunity to see and hear some decent rockers get deeper in the blues. |
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10 Feb 12 - 03:34 AM (#3305199) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: Nigel Parsons Opinion about Paul Butterfield? ... Cushie! Sorry, I'll get me coat! |
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10 Feb 12 - 01:04 PM (#3305465) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: GUEST,Tunesmith Check out Adam Gussow's Youtube "dissertation" on Paul Butterfield. Adam really rates Butter and sees him as a true innovator on the blues harm. Adam on Butter |
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10 Feb 12 - 11:37 PM (#3305770) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: GUEST,grover Yeah, I was about 10 or 11 when my brother brought home a PB live album. As a Beatlemaniac I was absolutely pasted. It scared me a little as I recall. A few years later as an up-and-coming musician in Chicago I had many opportunities to jam w/some great harp players including, Peter 'Madcat' Ruth, Sugar Blue and Steve Hays. James Cotten and PB were always mentioned w/a great deal of respect. More recently, I played bass in a blues band w/a GREAT harp player named Buck Worley from Louisiana. He always cited PB, Buddy Greene and Charlie Musselwhite as his primary influences. He was a big fan of John Mayall as well. Not to mention the Red Devils from LA. That all being said I can say PB was MY first introduction to blues harp. Definately an innovator and among the greats. Should be in the Musician's Hall Of Fame in Nashville. |
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11 Feb 12 - 03:21 PM (#3306137) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: Elmore Loved Sonny Terry. Aldo enjoyed Loved Sonny Terry.Also enjoyed Loved Sonny Terry. Also enjoyed Rev. Dan Smith whom I'm afraid has been totally forgotten. He didn't record a whole lot.
rev. Dan Smith
the Rev. |
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11 Feb 12 - 03:36 PM (#3306150) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: number 6 Being a young 14 year old white middle class kid from suburban Canada back in 1965, hearing Paul Butterfield's first album (The Paul Butterfield Blues Band) just blew me away. I never heard anything like it before. It was an introduction to a form of music that I never had heard before. I did eventually have the opportunity to see Paul Butterfield live at the Masonic Temple in Toronto in 1969. I still remember that concert as if it was yesterday. BTW .... I still have that vinyl album "The Paul Butterfield Blues Band" and is probably the most cherished record in my collection. biLL |
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13 Feb 12 - 06:52 AM (#3307333) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: Tigger the Tiger I am really glad to hear that so many people came to appreciate Butterfield over the years. I really did not understand what I was hearing,but I thought it was fantastic. No one made much fuss in those days.I was always rather impressed by the improv Butterfield and Bloomfield did on some songs,some nights. Actually many of these live performances were much better than the recordings.I really enjoyed watching Mike Bloomfield,who had a good time. They would have considerable time between sets,so they were in the back room for long waits;I thought they were all very nice to Big Joe Williams and me. It was pretty relaxed back then. |
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14 Feb 12 - 04:07 AM (#3308170) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: PHJim I also still have my first Butterfield record with Sam Lay's gold boots on the front. I also have it on CD, One of the few records that I have in both. Another singer/songwriter/harmonica virtuoso who played mostly rack harp while playing guitar or mandolin was Willie P. Bennett. Here's a clip. Willie's version of Stardust Willie played Lee Oscars upside down (low notes to the right) |
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15 Feb 12 - 04:45 AM (#3308750) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: Richard Bridge I thought I'd flag up a later Butterfield performance that could still be seen as politically relevant today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS_x1A4LXCM&feature=related |
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16 Feb 12 - 07:00 AM (#3309375) Subject: RE: Opinion about Paul Butterfield? From: Tigger the Tiger Richard,thanks very much for the link on this later performance. This is actually a very good example of his stage presence from twenty years before. I was really surprised in the old days when sometimes he and Bloomfield did not drive an audience wild. I was very young,but I thought they were absolutely terrific.They were also very nice to me,perhaps realizing that I suffer from musical over-exuberance. |