Slim Harpo 'Baby Scratch My Back'

Slim Harpo 'Baby Scratch My Back'

Not sure what instigated Slim Harpo's bout of itching, but he doesn't sound all that concerned about it on record. In fact he sounds quite excited at the prospect of the situation being rectified by the long manicured nails of his baby, and rightly so. 

Junior Wells 'Yonder Wall'

Junior Wells 'Yonder Wall'

After a holiday of sorts, the Danceflawed blog is back in business, opening July's account with a track off one of the best Chicago blues albums of all time. Pretty hard to pick just one off this puppy, the whole thing is complete a schooling in simple, fluid and down-to-earth bluesmanship. 

Lee Oskar 'Haunted House'

Lee Oskar 'Haunted House'

Famed for his prominent role alongside Eric Burdon in the line-up of funk rock fusion group WAR, Danish born harpist Lee Oskar went on to make three solo albums and also manufacture high-quality harmonicas. This track is off his 1978 LP 'Before The Rain', which is a hit and miss affair but also contains a languid jam called 'Steppin' with a bag-piped intro thats worth checking out.

Charlie Musselwhite 'Christo Redemptor'

Charlie Musselwhite 'Christo Redemptor'

More harmonica action for the January slump, this time from Delta born harp-master Charlie Musselwhite. A slow riverboat journey headed South, meandering yet uncomplicated in its route despite the jazzy inflections.  

Screw 'Psychedelic Harps'

Screw 'Psychedelic Harps'

An obscure and quite beautiful blues harmonica duet from 1969. Screw played at the famous Hyde Park extravaganza alongside The Rolling Stones, King Crimson etc. etc. but never really turned that exposure into record sales and success. Perhaps it was their distinctly leftfield approach to the blues mixed with middle and far-eastern flavours that put paid to widespread acclaim. That and their incredibly ropey barnets. Middle England's answer to the duelling banjos from Deliverance done with more facial hair and less menace.