Blowin' Like Hell

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Sample Album
ALBUM INFORMATION

Total Tracks: 11   Total Length: 48:19

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John Morthland

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John Morthland has been writing about music since the days of electronically rechanneled stereo and duophonic sound. His name has darkened the mastheads of Roll...more »

07.27.11
Representing the last real advances in blues harp
Label: Alligator Records

An acolyte of (and collaborator with) George “Harmonica” Smith, this L.A. cat represents the last real advances in blues harp. He may have blown like hell but he (along with his guitarist Alex Schultz) was also refined; his chromatic work, heavily influenced by soul-jazz, and swing alike, was ambitious but also unpretentious (hear “Must Be Jelly”). Already a legend with several D.I.Y. albums on the left coast even before this 1990 Alligator debut, he remained unsurpassed both rhythmically and lyrically until his 1996 death.

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Rockin' Great!!

cshannon1077

This is excellent Blues, and/or Rock. Sampled 'Lollipop Mama', and downloaded it cause it was awesome! Then I discovered I already have two versions of it. I kept listening, and bought the whole album! This is absolutely fabulous!! You'll LOVE IT!!!

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Must be Blues

thatway57

This like all of William Clarke's recordings is top shelf blues. The harp is probably not as up front as on "The Hard Way" so it does take alot more listening. Must be Jelly is great!

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They Say All Media Guide

The title says it all. William Clarke cooks on Blowin’ Like Hell, his first CD. And these are new sounds. Songs like “Lollipop Mama,” “Gambling for My Bread,” and “Lonesome Bedroom Blues” (all written by Clarke) are just great tunes. “Must Be Jelly” won Clarke a W.C. Handy Award for blues song of the year in 1991. You’ll find yourself humming them. Clarke’s timing and music are right on the money, with the great Alex Schultz on lead guitar. There is no doubt that Clarke is one of the few modern bluesmen who are exploring and extending the amplified blues harp tradition without violating any of its principles. No one plays chromatic blues harp with this kind of passion and sheer conviction. Hear for yourself. – Michael Erlewine

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