Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast Neil Warren
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- Music
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The Happy Hour Harmonica podcast brings profiles of some of the top harmonica players and technicians today.
The podcast is sponsored by Seydel harmonicas. Check out their great range of products at www.seydel1847.com.
If you would like to make a voluntary contribution to help keep the podcast running then please use this link: https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour.
Visit the main podcast webpage at: https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com/
Contact: happyhourharmonicapodcast@gmail.com
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Yotam Ben-Or interview
Yotam Ben-Or joins me on episode 107.
Yotam is a chromatic player who attended the Tel-Aviv Music Conservatory, making a name for himself on the Israeli music scene before winning a scholarship to study at The New School for Jazz in New York, age 21.
Although predominately a jazz player, Yotam is keen to emphasise the diverse range of genres this encapsulates, including world music and South American influences on his music. Yotam has previously released two albums under his own name, with a third coming out in 2025. Many of the songs on these albums are composed by Yotam as he helps to push the chromatic in new and exciting directions.
Links:
Yotam's website:
https://www.yotambo.com/
Videos:
Yotam Ben-Or Quartet live at Festival da Jazz St. Moritz:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GI9HM6NqCY
Satla song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv6zOhUKa6o
MiLiM song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tGBXF0nHw4
Live at Carnegie Hall:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wmKRaXdW9A
Live in Switzerland:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GI9HM6NqCY
Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com
Donations:
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_GB
Spotify 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-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ
Podcast 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 HARMONICAS
AND
The Harmonica Company. Use promo code: 'happyhour7'.
Email Jonathan at: sales@theharmonicacompany.com
Support the show -
Eddie Martin interview
Eddie Martin joins me on episode 106.
Eddie has been described as the ambassador of British Blues, having released seventeen albums over his near fifty year career, with many of the songs self-penned by Eddie. He started out as a one-man band, but also performs as part of his own bands too. In either format Eddie makes extensive use of rack harmonica, and is one of the leading players of using a rack, while also playing some hand-held harmonica as well. Eddie gives us some great tips on playing on the rack.
Eddie also had a two year spell in the US where he regularly played on Beale St, Memphis and Clarksdale, Mississippi, as well as time playing in Italy.
And he regularly teaches at workshops in the UK and Europe.
Links:
Eddie’s website:
http://eddiemartin.com
Big Red Radio:
https://soundcloud.com/eddie-martin/sets/eddie-martins-big-red-radio
Harmonica Master’s Workshop:
https://www.harmonica-masters.de/en/workshops-2024/master-workshops-diatonic/eddie-martin.html
EuroBlues week:
https://www.euroblues.co.uk/blues-week-2024/
Son of Dave interview:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com/son-of-dave-interview/
Videos:
One Man Band video from Thirst album:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK6Qr9nSugw&t=18s
Birdcage Sessions video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU87CViwfJA
Harpin’ By The Sea 2024: Breakeven Blues:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S83O-scnX_I
Harpin’ By The Sea 2024: Early In The Morning:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fuwgMcaJ4Q
NHL festival 2006: Queen of Spades:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW-Y9JplJ4w
Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com
Donations:
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_GB
Spotify 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-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ
Podcast 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 HARMONICAS
AND
The Harmonica Company. Use promo code: 'happyhour7'.
Email Jonathan at: sales@theharmonicacompany.com
Support the show -
William Clarke retrospective, part 2, with Paul Barry
Paul Barry joins me again on episode 105, for another look at the life and career of the great William Clarke.
Paul has now released his biography: Blowin’ Like Hell: The William Clarke Story, writing it from insights he gained from Bill’s wife Jeanette, and Bill's children, and the musicians who played with him, as well as many others.
Bill dedicated his life from the age of sixteen to become the bluesman he dreamed he could be, and he worked extremely hard at it. He honed his craft from woodshedding at home, attending the blues clubs of LA, becoming the protege of George Smith, and pushing himself hard to create his unique voice both vocally and especially on the diatonic and chromatic harmonica. All this despite his personal demons, to become one of the leading players of his generation.
Links:
Paul’s website:
https://www.paulbarryblues.com/
Where to buy the biography:
https://www.paulbarryblues.com/william-clarke.html
Blues Blast magazine review of the William Clarke book:
https://www.bluesblastmagazine.com/issue-18-7-february-15-2024/?fbclid=IwAR3lctX2K7JrotYoAczEp_JE_rIktqg6QejnVrSMR52OYIvKiEM-GeyJS9Q
William Clarke Remembered Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/171827912850208/
The first William Clarke retrospective with Paul:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com/william-clarke-retrospective-with-paul-barry/
Videos:
Bill playing Lollipop Mama at the San Fran Blues Festival in 1991:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrXrsmUWAGM
Interview with Bill, and concert footage from Byron Bay festival in Australia:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfgWsyKvC3o
Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com
Donations:
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_GB
Spotify 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-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ
Podcast 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 HARMONICAS
AND
The Harmonica Company. Use promo code: 'happyhour7'.
Email Jonathan at: sales@theharmonicacompany.com
Support the show -
Mike Turk interview
Mike Turk joins me on episode 104.
Mike is a Boston-based player who started out playing blues harmonica, inspired by the great Paul Butterfield, before becoming interested in playing jazz on the chromatic. He recorded some session work in New York and recorded through the 1970s with various artists, with many of those tracks available on anthology albums Mike has put out. He released his first solo album, Harmonica Salad, in 1991. Mike went on to record several more albums, with a letter from Toots Thielemans included in the liner notes for Turk’s Works. He also toured Europe and recorded some albums with the Italian band he was working with while in Europe.
Links:
Mike’s website:
https://www.tinsandwichmusic.com/
Toots Thielmans testimonial on Mike’s website:
https://www.tinsandwichmusic.com/?page_id=265
Polyphonia harmonica:
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/nmah_1306456
Great interview with Mike:
https://blues.gr/profiles/blogs/harmonica-virtuoso-mike-turk-talks-about-jazz-blues-lowel-fulsom
Videos:
Don Brooks session recordings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDGSb5NxtJY&list=PLGbKWi5veb_nwSHBWYjEgDPtHfYbFFufY&index=4
Honeydripper film opening credits:
https://youtu.be/BO5eP6XsF9M
Douglas Tate playing at the NHL Festival in 1988 (not on a Renaissance):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th1PbXWfoY8
Mike trio gig from March 2022:
https://www.facebook.com/themadmonkfish/videos/1593252841059782
Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com
Donations:
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_GB
or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/995536/support
Spotify 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-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ
Podcast 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 HARMONICAS
AND
The Harmonica Company. Use promo code: 'happyhour7'.
Email Jonathan at: sales@theharmonicacompany.com
Support the show -
Konstantin Reinfeld interview
Konstantin Reinfeld joins me on episode 103.
Konstantin is a German who comes from the overblow school of harmonica, studying music at a conservatory and taking lessons from Howard Levy as part of his early development. He released a jazz album at age 18, with two more albums to follow before releasing a classical album played on the diatonic harmonica, for which he won a German Grammy award for classical music.
On top of this Konstantin is a music producer, including producing his own recordings bringing the harmonica into a contemporary pop setting. He has a very active online presence and hosts harmonica interviews for the Hohner Live X series of YouTube videos.
Links:
Konstantin’s website:
https://www.konstantinreinfeld.com
Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/konstantinreinfeld
Compositions for harmonica and piano:
https://www.doerken-stiftung.de/foerderung/kompositionen-fuer-mundharmonika-als-gratisdownload/downloads-kompositionen-fuer-mundharmonika-und-klavier
Videos:
YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@KonstantinReinfeld
Body Heat with Benjamin Nuss:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KEJzFcZgqg&list=TLGGMrKWZLRF3CoyMjAxMjAyNA&t=2s
Cinema Paradiso - Love Theme:
https://youtu.be/ULj-GjL4nFA?si=D6G11zXwOCd32kvv
Interview on Hohner channel with the 14 year old Konstantin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIPCFRTIJDU
Hohner Live X interview with Howard Levy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_DDBgcEViw
Country Harmonica Challenge:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glvupq6gpf8
Don Toliver harmonica cover:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2BVsMa5QiM
Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com
Donations:
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_GB
or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/995536/support
Spotify 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-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ
Podcast 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 HARMONICAS
AND
The Harmonica Company. Use promo code: 'happyhour7'.
Email Jonathan at: sales@theharmonicacompany.com
Support the show -
Christian Marsh interview
Christian Marsh joins me on episode 102.
Christian is an Australian who plays both the diatonic and chromatic harmonica. Starting out playing diatonic, Christian drew inspiration from players such as Norton Buffalo and Charlie McCoy, absorbing as much harmonica as he could lay his hands on . He picked the chromatic up a few years later after hearing Toots Thielemans play, and even went on to maintain Larry Adler’s harmonicas while he was touring Australia.
Christian is a mainstay on the Australian music scene, having 60 album credits sessions to his name, as well as a number of albums with Dr Goodvibe, and several under his own name, with a new release coming out in January 2024. Christian has also performed a concerto written for harmonica, as well as performing at the Sydney Opera House.
Links:
Christian Marsh website:
https://christianmarsh.com.au/
Recording credits:
https://christianmarsh.com.au/credits/
Online tracks:
https://www.reverbnation.com/christianmarsh/song/27991199-sven-libaeks-harmonica-concerto
Videos:
Nun In The Back Seat, with Dr Goodvibe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cov-WjwvCp4&t=200s
Roxanne, live with Dr Goodvibe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh136n8OQHY
Live with Paul Robert Burton trio:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBMiFbRZYSk
Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com
Donations:
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_GB
or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/995536/support
Spotify 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-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ
Podcast 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
Support the show
Customer Reviews
Sound like you’re in a cave
Great show but..... You need to improve your and your guest mic location. Too much echo effect.
Essential listening
I love this podcast. If you love the harmonica, you will too.
A Must for Harp Players
These podcasts are some of the best (if not THE BEST) being offered today. I think these interviews intimately will be important for a historical perspective. They have helped me find motivation to keep practicing. Thanks for all you hard work.