Been getting by by creating my own daily High Fidelity top 5's. Figure I post here so I can read and listen to other people's top 5's as well. I'll post yesterday's top 5's here in a bit as well.

Without further ado, INPO.

1. Run Around - Blues Traveler
2. Red Bandana Blues - Adam Carroll
3. OK Blues - Ty Dietz
4. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
5. Love Me Do - The Beatles

Hm: Times Are a- Changin - Bob Dylan
Country Roads - Ryan Bingham

I only know one, Shenandoah

Tom Petty song

I think of jazz now more than anything re: harmonica. Mainly Toots Thieleman and "The Way Up" by the Pat Metheny Group.

Alanis Morissette - All I Really Want

It's not especially harmonica heavy but those opening chords are iconic

Zeppelin - No Body's Fault But Mine


Guy Forsyth - Don't Turn Me In (bonus points for singing into the harp mike)

Black Crowes - Good Friday

As should be Bob Dylan, any number songs of his could fit the category but I'll go with


I'll also add these two:

"Man with a Harmonica" by Ennio Morricone from Once Upon a Time in the West


and

There is a small amount of synth harmonica here:

Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds deserves a call-out in this thread. Not sure which particular song, but the dude is one of the very best.

Not really sure if this thread is

"best song with a harmonica part in it" or
"song with the best harmonica part in it" big difference

if the former, Midnight Rambler by the Stones has to be in there...

The correct answer is Juke by Little Walter.
and most of his stuff really.

Little Walter took what was almost considered a child's toy and turned it into a lead instrument, amplified. He was the Jimi Hendrix of harmonica. And most modern players try to copy his style.

And he was part of the best blues band to ever walk the planet. Muddy Waters and the wrecking crew. Muddy, Walter, jimmy Rogers, and Otis Spann.

I would also recommend Junior Wells. Hoodoo Man Blues.

And yes Kim Wilson is a really good also. But he got his sound from Little Walter.

Bottlehead is getting close.

Aside from John Popper, Stevie Wonder, and Kim Wilson, there aren't any great Harp players on this list. Certainly Little Walter was one of the best - transcendent really, but there were others.

If you're looking for some great harmonica, check some of these guys out.

Howlin' Wolf
Paul Butterfield
Charlie Musselwhite
Lester Butler (The Red Devils)
Sonny Boy Williams #2
James Cotton
Magic Dickey (J. Girls Band)
Allan Wilson

And Huey Lewis could play some solid Harp as well.

But the best Harmonica song ever?

Orange Blossom Special

Stones - Sweet Virginia

The Doors - Roadhouse Blues

rynning said:

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Stevie Wonder should be somewhere on that list.

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I came in to say EJ - I guess thats why they call it the blues.

whammer jammer

FbgTxAg said:

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Bottlehead is getting close.

Aside from John Popper, Stevie Wonder, and Kim Wilson, there aren't any great Harp players on this list. Certainly Little Walter was one of the best - transcendent really, but there were others.

If you're looking for some great harmonica, check some of these guys out.

Howlin' Wolf
Paul Butterfield
Charlie Musselwhite
Lester Butler (The Red Devils)
Sonny Boy Williams #2
James Cotton
Magic Dickey (J. Girls Band)
Allan Wilson

And Huey Lewis could play some solid Harp as well.

But the best Harmonica song ever?

Orange Blossom Special

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I did a quick google of best harmonica player ever. Every list had Little Walter at #1. And for good reason.
A virtuoso really with a solid catalogue. Great vocals too.

Stones -- Midnight Rambler

Some good Cryin' Adams tracks added

If you haven't heard his acoustic version of "16 Days" with the harmonica you should check it out. it's awesome

Regarding Steven-John Popper.