Post Description

Helge Tallqvist - Plays George Harmonica Smith

BINSEARCH GEEFT SOMS EEN REQUIRES PASSWORD PROTECT, DIT IS NIET JUIST !!

Helge Tallqvist - Harmonica
Jussi 'Jo' Buddy' Raulamo - Guitar, Vocals
Sidekick Johnny - Guitar
Ville Rauhala - Bass; Juppo Paavola - Drums
with special guest:
Pepe Ahlqvist - Harmonica & Lead Vocals on tr.4,10

Helge Tallqvist has played amplified harmonica, both chromatic and diatonica, since the early 80's. Helge met the great George 'Harmonica' Smith in Stockholm 1982 and George invited Helge with his friends over to Los Angeles to spend time with him and people like Rod Piazza, William 'Bill' Clarke, Rick Estrin, Shakey Jake Harris, Smokey Wilson, Mike Watson etc. This one month trip meeting these top blues mucisians in the area was a start for Helge to take his instrument more serious than before. This album is a tribute to this outstanding harmonica player and singer. Sadly George died in 1983 and this CD honors his memory.

'...Excellent tone master from Finland with the Killer back up band Groovy Eyes. Faithful to the George Smith sound !!!!...'~~ from Blue Beat Music.
'...Helge Tallqvist is a terrific amplified harp player and a master of the difficult chromatic harmonica. He has a huge tone and blows with passion and intensity...'~~ by Jeff Harris
'...Really, really fine harmonica that shows a real feel for the tradition of the 50s. Good attention to tone, phrasing and attack. Plenty of energy, lots of taste. Good interply with the band and strong band performances throughout. The playing would be a treat for any fan of 50s Chicago blues, or anyone who is a fan of true blues harmonica. I’m quite impressed and I’m sure I´ll enjoy listening to this album again...' ~~by Bruce Iglauer of Alligator Records
'...West Coast swinging harmonica blues played with both diatonic and chromatic harmonica. A tribute album to the great George 'Harmonica' Smith...' ~~ from CD Baby
'...Helge Tallqvist, a seasoned harmonica player from Finland, admired the harmonica playing of George Smith since before Smith came to play in Finland in the winter of 1982. By the summer of 1982, Helge traveled to California and continued his friendship with Smith, and was even more inspired by Smith's chromatic harmonica playing. Smith remained such a strong influence on Helge's playing that he decided to make a tribute album to Smith. So twenty plus years after meeting Smith, Helge teamed up with another Finnish band, Groovy Eyes, and they began to practice for this CD. He also teamed up with Sidekick Johnny, a guitar player he had played with for over 10 years. This made an early-bird team for the two of them. His good friend, Pepe Ahiqvist, shares the harmonica playing with him in two numbers, as well as some vocals. Jussi Jo Raulamo also sings some vocals. So after the two warm-up numbers, Helge plays his interpretation of George Smith. He is a talented amplified harp player and blows his chromatic harp with feeling and power. Out of the fourteen tracks, Helge plays six songs that George Smith wrote or co-wrote. A few songs are instrumentals where Helge's harp is a vital force. People like Doug MacLeod who knew Smith personally and musically felt that Smith would be proud of this CD. The packaging is most unusual with a tin box. Helge's portrait can be seen in black and grey dots by turning the box sideways. There is also a 24-page booklet full of pictures, letters and stories from the meetings with George...'~~ by Maria Bainer
Track 13 was recorded at George Smith's home in Los Angeles 05.08.1982