Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast

Annie Raines joins me on episode 83.Annie is an early pioneer as a female blues harmonica player. Hailing from the Boston area of the US, she drew on the rich source of harmonica inspiration from nearby Cambridge, regularly attending a jam there in her youth, and meeting many great players and joining the Cambridge Harmonica Orchestra. Annie then teamed-up with her long time musical partner, Paul Rishell, after also meeting him around the Boston area. They have now been performing and recording together for over 30 years, releasing seven albums, and winning a WC Handy award for one of them. Annie has also guested on albums with several other artists, including Pinetop Perkins.Annie teaches harmonica and has released an instructional video, and gives workshops at various harmonica gatherings. Links:Annie and Paul's website:https://www.paulandannie.com/John Gindick’s website:https://gindick.com/harmonica/Cambridge Harmonica Orchestra:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ReDMrEdmbAGeorge Mayweather: What I'd Say:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wp-pAk4epIBlues Harmonica Blueprint instruction:https://truefire.com/techniques-guitar-lessons/blues-harmonica-blueprint/blues-harmonica-blueprint-introduction/v5544Tomlin Harmonica School:https://www.tomlinharmonicaschool.com/Videos:Annie singing You’ve Been A Good Old Wagon:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKgydSYSC7kCharles Leighton playing In A Sentimental Mood:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsPhW6UXE00Canned Heat Blues: from Live In Woodstock DVD:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux-lQaoZewkHarmonica UK Virtual Festival 2020:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD4PzISV2FQAugusta Blues / Swing week 2013:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTXpwCMrs5cDuet with John Sebastien:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmPOnRUDZAEPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICASSupport the show

Steve Guyger joins me on episode 82.Steve is from the Philadelphia area of the US and he absorbed the blues harmonica players when he first got into playing, with John Lee Williamson a big early inspiration. Steve was also great friends with the late Paul Oscher, making  three albums with him. Steve also teamed up with the legendary Jimmy Rogers, over the course of fourteen years. Steve has released five albums under his own name, with a great mix of diatonic and chromatic blues.Steve’s long-standing band is the Excellos, who   are still performing more than forty years after their formation, and Steve is due to play in a Jimmy Rogers tribute in Switzerland with Dennis Gruenling and Nick Moss sometime soon.Links:https://severnrecords.com/artist/steve-guyger/Blues Harmonica DVD on Hal Leonard:https://www.halleonard.com/product/821042/blues-harmonicaDennis Gruenling website:https://badassharmonica.com/Videos:Steve's YouTube Music channel:https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCkeHm0xNz2csT5fc4zP-84APaul Oscher playing bass harmonica on The Things I Used To Do:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIPIrMNiR3MLive concert with Excellos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50DvEI8VUlQ&t=3576sI Can See By Your Eyes song:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgJ9lFhEa00Rock This House (live at Austrian Blues festival):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THqRX2PYBdQSammy Lewis playing in 5th position:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyKLRO2x6uESnake Oil live performance (outro song):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IrQkiHJVdcPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICASSupport the show

Ben Bouman joins me on episode 81.Ben is a Dutch blues player who always strives for originality in his playing, partly inspired by his admiration for the playing of Paul deLay. Ben’s current band is The Marble Tones, who took their name from the amplifier company, with Ben helping develop their range of harmonica amps.Ben also helped Seydel prototype their steel reeds before they released them some fifteen years ago, and he tells us all about polishing and profiling steel reeds, his own business selling customised Seydel harmonicas, and how he helped persuade Seydel in moving over to Compromised Just Tuning.The Harpgame Is On! is the name of Ben’s self-produced album and he regularly posts YouTube videos, including his recent tuition videos on different harmonica themes.Links:Ben’s website:https://www.benboumanharmonicas.nlWebshop to buy Ben Bouman custom harmonicas:https://www.benboumanharmonicas.nl/rapidcartpro/index.php?catalog/all/-/date/1Marble amplifiers:https://www.marble-amps.com/Viola Barends:https://www.violaharmonica.com/Seydel festival and harmonica competition:https://mundharmonika-live.dehttps://www.seydel1847.de/seydelopen-registrationHohner CBH chromatic: https://chromhistory.blog/2019/05/22/cbh-2012-2016/Videos:Paul deLay Harmonica Party:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWepAFBqsN4Marble Tones band videos:https://www.youtube.com/@BluesMoose/search?query=marbletonesBen's Tone in a cup:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063463839653Viola Barends harmonica orchestra:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ7sNeZUAAIBen playing Watermelon Man:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnEbikuq7sIBen playing blues chromatic:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNSa7VdKFXwBen gear demo recording, including Pignose amp:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWFrUNKpMx8The Monkey Speaks His Mind with The Marble Tones:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d4HbjTn4EIPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world atSupport the show

Todd Parrot joins me on episode 80.Todd is a gospel harmonica player who was inspired to play harmonica after first hearing it in church. He went on to join the church band and has gone on to develop a heavenly tone on the instrument. Todd listened to a lot of country harmonica and was influenced from several players from that genre, including Terry McMillan. Todd released a self-produced solo album, Songs From The Harp, where he learned to play several instruments to accompany his harmonica playing, as well as using other musicians. He is also a sought after session musician, appearing on albums from numerous recording artists.Todd has run the Carolina HarpFest harmonica camp and is a regular at the annual SPAH event. He makes use of alternative tunings, makes his own combs and is an overblow player.Links:Todd’s website:http://www.toddparrott.com/Carolina Harp Fest:http://www.toddparrott.com/carolina-harp-fest.htmlJoe Spiers Custom harmonicas:https://spiersharmonicas.com/Hohner Golden Melody live launch stream (23/02/23):https://www.hohner.de/en/community/news/news-details/product-launch-event-livestreamVideos:Playing with Buddy Green at SPAH:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvN9XsOEdWAPlaying Amazing Grace at SPAH:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ2kom7jv6gTodd reviews Joe Spiers custom harps:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzrEg97RzLITodd playing a Golden Melody:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZj5hCsx8voReviewing Brendan Power’s Slip Slider harmonica:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7vZCgf8Zc4Demonstrates harmonica with 7 draw tuned down:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hUCd03PDAMPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICASSupport the show

Rocky Lok joins me on episode 79.Rocky lives in Hong Kong, where there is a vibrant harmonica scene. Harmonica is taught in many schools there, which is how Rocky got started playing himself almost 50 years ago. He went on to become part of the King's Harmonica Quintet which has played many prestigious concerts, including in front of an audience of twenty thousand, as part of the 2008 Beijing Olympics torch procession and winning the group competition at the World Harmonica Championship in Trossingen. Rocky is a former president of the Hong Kong Harmonica Association where he was involved in setting-up the Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival and is regular judge in the competitions. He also helped organise the current Guinness world record of the most harmonicas playing together, officially 6131 people in Hong Kong.Links:King’s Harmonica Quintet:www.KHQ.HK  Hong Kong Harmonica Association: www.hkharmonica.orgThe first Hong Kong International Chromatic Harmonica Competition, 2022: www.ICHC.hkharmonica.orgThe first Hong Kong International Composition Competition for Chromatic Harmonica 2021: https://iccch.hkharmonica.org/Details on the different chromatics Rocky plays:https://www.myharmonicastudio.com/rocky-lok-incredible-harmonica-collection/The 13th Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival 2022:http://hxharmonica.com/en/index.aspUpcoming King’s Harmonica Quintet show:https://www.hk.artsfestival.org/en/programme/kings_harmonica_quintetVideos:King's Harmonica Quintet playlist:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1NSxVDARfeZu9bfK9iviZlnBZGCMU2nMRocky playing solo:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEiWkVf_Fbs&list=PL1NSxVDARfeYAmUSmjwMlGpCVpdgW_ZxGRocky interview with Hohner from 2012:https://www.hohner.de/en/rocky-lokThe 13th Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival 2022 concert:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wJyOhzjBa0&list=PL1NSxVDARfealNufMH0jw_sum_cYRbM2qPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICASand Blows Me Away Productions: Support the show

Marko Jovanovic joins me on episode 78.Marko is a German player with Serbian roots, from where he developed an interest in playing Balkan music on the harmonica, returning to the region to team up with several acts to release some great music in that genre. He’s also an expert blues player, has played chamber music, Arabic music and much more on both diatonic and chromatic harmonicas.Marko also runs the successful Berlin Harmonica School, where as well as one-to-one group classes he has some great online video tutorials from players around the world. Offering lessons in a range of different styles, including Irish, Argentinian, and soon to come: more chromatic, flamenco and advanced diatonic harmonica. And he also runs the FEN harmonica festival now too.Links:Marko’s website:https://mjharmonica.com/Berlin Harmonica School:https://harmonica-school-berlin.com/FEN Festival:https://harmonica-fen-festival.com/Videos:Marko’s YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@mjharmonica/featuredMarko playing On The Road Again with Bluesrudy:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ooqHFbmK9kPlaying with Lars Vegas & The Love Gloves:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvksaOsXgkYPlaying with George Sareski:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9lVZN76fjoPlaying at Harmonica Masters 2015 Trossingen:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtbW9HHAxbUPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICASand Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/Support the show

Rob Paparozzi joins me on episode 77.Rob is based around the New York area where he started out playing in blues bands before quickly adding the chromatic to his harp arsenal. He took lessons with Robert Bonfiglio and then had Toots Thielemans giving him tips over the telephone. The versatility afforded to Rob by playing both diatonic and chromatic allowed him to enjoy a tremendous career on the session scene in New York, playing with many famous names including Dolly Parton, Randy Newman and Whitney Houston. He’s fronted the Original Blues Brothers Band for over twenty years, released a Paul Butterfield tribute album and his own Grammy nominated album.Links:Rob’s website:http://robpaparozzi.com/Blue Moon Harmonicas:https://bluemoonharmonicas.com/Videos:Rob’s YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/chromboyxTommy Morgan playing:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDv0nLlUxDs&list=RDEMkbeA-8Dfp9SMty0FJvHNpA&start_radio=1Rob performing with Dolly Parton:https://youtu.be/RILd7USxBMcRob performing with Randy Newman:https://youtu.be/4EmF3Xxlxg8Electric Butter: Walking By Myself:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdaabsUn-PQRob’s My Music Masterclass videos: https://www.mymusicmasterclass.com/premiumvideos/rob-paparozzi-harmonica-masterclass-videos-1-2-3-bundle/Podcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICASand Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/Support the show

Will Pound joins me on episode 76.Will first started playing harmonica age 10 to help with his breathing after he underwent two major heart operations as a child. Since then he has rose to fame on the English folk scene, being nominated for folk musician of the year three times. He now plays harmonica and melodeon, diversifying his musical output to cover many different acoustic genres.Will has released a number of albums with a range of quality musicians, with his last album spanning the traditional music genres of the European continent.He has a number one Christmas single and a number one Christmas album on his resume, has played at Buckingham Palace and on an advertisement featuring Robert de Niro. Links:Will’s website:https://willpound.com/Bandcamp site:https://willpound.bandcamp.com/DPA headset microphones:https://www.dpamicrophones.com/headset-and-earset-microphonesJingle Bells:https://willpound.bandcamp.com/track/jingle-bellsVideos:Will’s YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@WillPoundMusicWill Morris dancing:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ_4zkdxQto&list=PLcvB436mCA_iJQRGiZGq66InPQJsCYt3JWalsh and Pound at NHL concert in 2009: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTlpnYxxBJMAppearing on BBC Breakfast TV for Folk Award nomination:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9L6L1HgctgPlaying with Dame Evelyn Glennie:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9C44Qq38VkHe’s Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother - Hillsborough Charity single:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svOX9dy0hywPlaying at Buckingham Palace:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDISPLcpiGYFacebook video with Jenn Butterworth:https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1601228916702386Warburton’s advert with Robert Niro:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANHoobL__NEPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICASand Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/Support the show

Laurent Maur joins me on episode 75.Laurent is a jazz chromatic player from France. He first started learning diatonic before moving on to the chromatic to pursue his love of jazz music. He had some lessons with the French classical chromatic player, Claude Garden, helping to advance his technique. Laurent played with a few different bands, touring and recording albums with them before releasing two albums under his own name, and two with the Youpi Quartet. Laurent teamed up with the flute player from this quartet to release his most recent album, of duets with flute. Laurent makes use of different harmonicas beyond the chromatic and occasional diatonic, playing the recently released Suzuki bass and chord harmonicas as well as being one of the leading exponents of the DM48 midi chromatic harmonica.Links:Laurent’s website:https://www.laurentmaur.com/JJ Milteau Method for Diatonic and Chromatic Harmonica tuition book:https://www.melbay.com/Products/20588BCD/method-for-diatonic-and-chromatic-harmonica.aspxSuzuki SSCH-56: Compact Chord & S-48B (Bass):http://www.suzukimusic.co.uk/products/harmonica/orchestral.htmlChildren’s show: The true Story of the Tchepperpouhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghtZ7VOmcusMidi controller foot pedal:https://www.keithmcmillen.com/products/softstep/Videos:La Cambiada with Orlando Pole:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJEKPe64BH8&list=PL027E88A8BFFE8871Duo with Emilie Calme in Sunside Jazz Club, Paris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t63za4K1KwTuition video on using the Dorian scale:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A4_M-LNy30Roland Mobile Cube amp:https://www.roland.com/au/products/mobile_cube/Children’s show teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghtZ7VOmcusPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICASand Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/Support the show

Richard Hunter joins me on episode 74.Richard has immersed himself in harmonica ever since he first picked it up at age 15 and has been pushing the boundaries of the instrument ever since. His first release was a solo acoustic harmonica album, composing most of the songs himself and making extensive use of alternate tunings and counterpoint, followed up by a second album along the same lines.Richard is a true innovator of using effects with harmonica and has created some great sounds using them on his later two albums, including the use of Digitech multi-effect pedals, for which he has created patch sets that are available to download from his website.Richard is also the author of one of the first harmonica transcription books: Jazz Harp, that was released in the 1990s, becoming a staple publication on many a harmonica players’ shelves.Links: Richard’s website:https://www.hunterharp.com/Chris Turner:https://christurnerharmonica.bandcamp.com/album/chris-turner-harmonicasThe Lucky One posts:https://www.hunterharp.com/the-lucky-one-is-here-check-out-the-songs/Solo acoustic harmonica tracks to buy:https://www.hunterharp.com/all-hunters-downloads-in-one-place/#SbuyTunings used on solo recordings:https://www.hunterharp.com/harp-keys-and-tunings-for-my-recorded-solo-repertoire/The Lucky One breakdown of each song:https://www.hunterharp.com/the-lucky-one-is-here-check-out-the-songs/DaBell harmonicas:http://en.dabell.co.kr/home/bbs//board.php?bo_table=product&sca=HarmonicaVideos:Richard’s YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/lightninrickPut The Lever Down, from 1982:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnDPNyimg5oRecent Electric work:https://www.hunterharp.com/category/audiovideo/?fbclid=IwAR0bozS97Y4lZwKmGk230CmVEknErhY0rEuvEYQ19mOJOqCRMAi84wi3cVkPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBSpotify Playlist: Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICASand Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/Support the show