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Author	Topic: Corey Harris' instrument
Deaf Joe Member Posts: 43 From: Registered: Dec 2000	posted 03-05-2001 14:11 Any body know what kind of instrument Corey Harris plays? I am assuming it is a National, but I don't know enough about them to tell which model it is. IP: Logged
Mike D Member Posts: 1393 From: Phx, Az Registered: Dec 2000	posted 03-05-2001 14:55 If you're talking about the yellow single cone it's an early ('90?) National Islander wood body. It's basically a reproduction of the El Trovadors done in a Polychrome-like finish. IP: Logged
Eddie Punch Member Posts: 1361 From: Freiburg, Germany Registered: Nov 1999	posted 03-05-2001 16:13 It's a National Islander de Luxe ! (Costs a few dollars more.) It's no longer in production. Corey plays it beautifuly & "Greens from the Garden" is one of my favorite albums. Eddie IP: Logged
Mike D Member Posts: 1393 From: Phx, Az Registered: Dec 2000	posted 03-05-2001 17:13 It's a National Islander de Luxe ! (Costs a few dollars more.) I stand corrected, nothing but the best for Corey IP: Logged
Eddie Punch Member Posts: 1361 From: Freiburg, Germany Registered: Nov 1999	posted 03-06-2001 05:13 Opps, it's NOT a deluxe. Sorry. I rummaged around and came up with a photo. It's a ---- National Islander -------. The playing is deluxe. Sorry 'bout that. Eddie IP: Logged
Deaf Joe Member Posts: 43 From: Registered: Dec 2000	posted 03-06-2001 08:36 I just bought the "Between Midnight and Day" CD and saw the Hoola Girl in the picture. Its not everyone who has a tatoo on their dobro. He does play some wonderful music, and the instrument sounds great, inspite of the Hoola Girl (Hoola Person?). I don't guess any body knows what tuning he plays in most of the time. I thought most of it sounded like Open D, but I can't really tell by listening, yet. Give me a few life times. DN IP: Logged
bcw unregistered	posted 03-06-2001 13:08 i thought harris had a steel bodied guitar. i have a similar guitar,which is called a hula blues it has a wood body and was made by dobro. since purchased by gibson.i read one interview which stated that he played in open e and open a. IP: Logged
Lovat Fraser unregistered	posted 03-06-2001 13:22 Hey bcw unregistered , connection !.I have a Hula Blues wood body .Mine is in green and is called Shimmie, because that is what the Hula girl is doing. I always thought Corey's gtr was a steel version of the Hula Blues. On the suberb" Fish ain't biting"c.d cover it looks like it is metal as his right elbow has worn it smooth ? whaddaya think , eh bcw unregistered ? adios, Lovat. IP: Logged
Mike D Member Posts: 1393 From: Phx, Az Registered: Dec 2000	posted 03-06-2001 13:47 Nope 'tis wood. I saw a close up pic of it once and you could see where he'd worn through the paint and some of the wood near the trebel side "F" hole. The coverplate is metal, maybe that's what you saw. Another article said he'd bought a wood body because he was heading to Africa on a student grant and wanted something lighter to lug around. IP: Logged
jim burke Member Posts: 201 From: petaluma, ca,usa Registered: Sep 2000	posted 03-06-2001 13:52 I always thought that yellow thing that Corey Harris plays was an old triolian. As a matter of fact I heard him talk about his triolian in an interview. Hmmm... Yeah, he's a good one. I just wish he didn't play that damn kazoo. IP: Logged
Redlands Bill Member Posts: 23 From: Redlands, CA Registered: Jan 2001	posted 03-06-2001 14:52 Yeah, that kazoo is a problem. He should lose it. Other than that I love his music. I think most of his slide tunes are in open A tuning. IP: Logged
Lcwx2 Member Posts: 249 From: Chicago Registered: Aug 2000	posted 03-07-2001 04:54 His guitar is a wood bodied Islander (not deluxe), which is shown on page 250 of Bob Brozman's book. Corey's songs are either in Open A (or Open G), Open E (or Open D), or Standard. Corey rules! What other contemporary artists are there who play Country/Delta blues. I need to expand my Contemporary cd collection. IP: Logged
Mike D Member Posts: 1393 From: Phx, Az Registered: Dec 2000	posted 03-07-2001 09:36 Alvin Youngblood Hart is a spectacular player and singer. "Big Mama's Door" is a great album. Steve James is also good, try "American Primitive" or "Two Track Mind" for his solo acoustic playing. IP: Logged
bcw unregistered	posted 03-07-2001 10:14 guy davis and michael roach are cool. IP: Logged
Stu Alt Member Posts: 958 From: Arizona Registered: Nov 1999	posted 03-07-2001 12:33 I just saw Kelly Joe Phelps in Phoenix last week. He's an excellent player and has a great singing style and voice. He plays fingerstyle blues in a variety of tunings, but also plays lap style slide guitar. For slide, he uses a wooden bodied Gibson (no resonator) with an elevated nut (like a squareneck Dobro). He plays a lot of his slide music in open D with a Dobro steel. IP: Logged
John Bushouse Member Posts: 325 From: Registered: Apr 2000	posted 03-10-2001 12:13 For another "contemporary artist," try Rory Block. She played with and learned from Son House, Rev. Gary Davis, Mississippi John Hurt, Skip James, Bukka White, Mississippi Fred McDowell... She spent a lot of time with Stefan Grossman as well way back when. I've seen her in concert twice - she's truly an inspiring performer (playing and singing). She is NOT afraid of her guitar. IP: Logged
natchlyblue unregistered	posted 12-18-2002 15:52 Check out Eric Bibb also. He is from the US but based in Europe somewhere now i think. Great voice/player. truly inspiring. Alvin Youngblood Hart is the real deal also. But Taj Mahal is THE guy that paved the way for these fellows. IP: Logged
Mike D Member Posts: 1393 From: Phx, Az Registered: Dec 2000	posted 12-18-2002 16:51 I saw Eric Bibb about a year ago, great singer and player. Unfortunatly no resonators nor slide playing. IP: Logged
vleb Member Posts: 342 From: Paris, France Registered: Oct 2001	posted 12-19-2002 00:50 About Mr Harris guitar : I saw some weeks ago on e-bay that he was selling his Islander...A norvegian friend of mine, who was sorry about that too, told me that Corey has found himself one of those wonderful early polychrome Triolians...Rumours ? His official website (http://www.coreyharrismusic.com/ ) doesn't say nothing about it... IP: Logged
hoodadoo Member Posts: 2011 From: Westport, Ct., Registered: Mar 2001	posted 12-19-2002 03:04 To be honest, I wasn't all that crazy about "Green From the Garden". From the picture on the cover, with that guitar in hand, I thought I was going to hear some great delta style blues...wrong. Instead I got a full blown band doing music that I don't really classify as blues. There are moments on the cd where I say "Yeah, this would have been real nice if it was all like this." I feel the cd is almost a tease for what it could have been. Chris Witley is another example. What you see isn't what you get. As for contemporary artists, most seem to start out on the right foot, and end up somewhere other than true to the blues. When it comes to traditional style blues, I'm more into the solo artist, and not the "band" format. I don't really see the delta style blues, or piedmont style being performed with more than maybe one additional instrument, say harmonica, or acoustic bass, etc. Once I hear the electrified instruments in a full band, with drums, it becomes something else to me. I'm not saying I don't like that setup, because I do. I also play electric blues, Chicago style, etc. But to repeat myself, true delta style, to me, is the solo acoustic, resonator, aka Son House, Charlie Patton type performer. Early Rory Block really appeals to me, same with Jo Ann Kelly. I also admire Paul Geremia, Paul Rishell and Annie Raines, John Hammond when he does his solo blues, Alvin Youngblood Hart, again, when he does his solo blues. You can add Ernie Hawkins, Roy Bookbinder, Catfish Keith, Stefan Grossman, and Mr. Brozman when he performs his "Blues" side. Guy Davis started out great, but he to went full band, and on a different path, same with Keb Mo. There are many artists at the moment I know I am overlooking, so those I've listed are just a sample. I better not forget John Cephas, who when by himself doing the Skip James material is like a trip through the past to the time when this music reigned supreme. And I should not forget to mention Woody Mann, who studied with Rev. Gary Davis, recorded with Jo Ann Kelly, and knows the ins and outs of Blind Blake. [This message has been edited by hoodadoo (edited December 20, 2002).] IP: Logged
Scott Jacobs Moderator Posts: 3460 From: Port Charlotte, FL Registered: Apr 2001	posted 12-19-2002 03:59 "What you see isn't what you get"? Come on, David, you're more enlightened than that! You're an IGS alum after all. Is there a reason you left out Taj Mahal? The music generally is better when artists follow their own muse than say compared to when artists are just trying to fill some market niche (ie. acoustic delta blues. Don't you wish that this market were bigger?). I really like "Greens From The Garden" for its diversity. I mean, what other blues guitarists sing in French? And I love Taj's "Senior Blues" which has all kinds of playing. In regards to Corey's guitar: Doesn't Adrian Freed own an Islander? Stu Alt was carrying this around for Bob's class in San Raphael as I remember and it seemed to me that the fingerboard was exactly flat with no radius like my Duolian. The newer NR-P's all have a slight radius which I find to be more comfortable for chord fretting. If looking for a NR-P Islander then you might want to keep in mind the flat radius (which some people prefer). IP: Logged
sam unregistered	posted 12-19-2002 06:32 I saw Alvin Youngblood Hart Friday nite. He was playing w/a drummer & bassist. It was all electric, hendrix inspired blues/bluesrock (to my ears). I was hoping he�d pull out a resonator but he said he wasn�t traveling w/one. Alvin played a tele w/a maple neck, 3 silvertones (one in g, one in d and one in standard caqo-ed at the third fret) and a SG thru a tube Marshall combo. He had GREAT tone, IMHO. W/the exception of the tele all guitars looked to be vintage. He also had a stack of pedals, mostly boss & dan electro, (if my memory serves from my quick once over of his pedalboard.) When he played slide in the open tunings he played w/his fingers. Other than that, he used a flatpick. Besides his originals, Alvin served up 2 neil young covers (& teased a third ,"tonight�s the night" in the middle of a jam), a jimmy reed song, a glorious version of the stones "sway" and encored w/Hendrix�s "stone free". It was a fun night. Re: the "What you see isn't what you get" comment. Personally I like it when artists use their resonators to play other genres besides the expected blues. After all, weren�t resonators first made so that the guitarist would be loud enough to play w/a jazz combo? That said, I really dig Chris Whitley & what he doing. I think you must see him live to truely "get it", tho,. My current contemporary guitar "dream" is to get Thurston Moore & Lee Renaldo to strap on Nationals for a resonating Sonic Youth set. IP: Logged
John B Member Posts: 1387 From: Registered: May 2000	posted 12-19-2002 06:42 Regarding the earlier "kazoo" comment, I was amazed at how much kazoo Tampa Red played. The Catfish compilation (Voice of the Blues, I think) specifically mentions their objective of minimizing the number of tracks with kazoo. If Tampa Red can play one, I guess Corey Harris might as well - it's part of a tradition. One I don't care for, though... IP: Logged
Bill Schmidt Member Posts: 80 From: Rinc�n, Puerto Rico Registered: Feb 2002	posted 12-19-2002 09:44 Hey Sam, Sounds like a great show. What model Silvertones was Alvin playing? I have a 1 PU Amp-in-the-Case model that I really love. Bill IP: Logged
crossrdblue Member Posts: 1078 From: Denver, CO Registered: Feb 2001	posted 12-19-2002 09:57 Don't forget Paul Rishell in that list of contemporary blues artiests. IP: Logged
sam unregistered	posted 12-19-2002 12:44 hi bill: i can't give you specific models. (if you know of a web source id'ing silvertone models, please post it!). both of the silvertones alvin played in open tunings had lipstick pu's & six tuners on the side on a fat headstock. the guitar he had in standard had humbucker/p-90 looking pu's with 3 tuners on each side of the headstock. i, too, own a one lip stick pu silvertone, w/ a red metal flake paint job customized w/paint markers & punk rock band stickers (it was my back up guitar during my indie rock days). my head stock is thin, however (strat shaped) w/six tuners on the side. i currently use it as my open g electric. in sept, we were in seattle & down in pioneer sq there's this store called elliot bay guitars(?---or music). anyways the reason i walked in the store is because they had a ton of old silvertones visible from the window, most fetching hefty vintage prices (i paid $50 for mine in the early 80's). silvertones, vintage or new, are great guitars. the gutarist in sleater-kinney gets a nice tone out of hers. IP: Logged
Corn Dog Member Posts: 1765 From: Montclair, NJ USA Registered: Jan 2001	posted 12-19-2002 14:57 Michael Jerome Browne uses kazoo to great effect on both of his CDs, especially his earlier self titled one. ( http://www.michaeljeromebrowne.com/ ) [This message has been edited by Corn Dog (edited December 19, 2002).] IP: Logged
hoodadoo Member Posts: 2011 From: Westport, Ct., Registered: Mar 2001	posted 12-19-2002 17:17 Scott, because I was thinking off the top of my head, Taj is one of the artists I overlooked, but would include. I listened to him for years, and have several of his records, and cds, plus I had the privelage to see him live. Crossrdblue, I did mention Paul Rishell, and Annie Raines. And I do like some of the inventiveness of Chris Whitley's style of playing, but it's not blues. Scott, if you agree with me, or not, it is still true, what you see isn't necessarily what you get, just like don't judge a book by its cover. I love all kinds of music, you would be rather surprised at what I listen to, and try to play. If you would like me to, I will send you some samples. From Joni Mitchell's "Song to a Seagull" to Pharoah Sander's "Karma", and everything inbetween. But I will also say there is a lot of music I don't find appealing. Everyone has their musical tastes, and I don't expect mine to be the same as others. Hey, whatever turns us on. Yes, there is more to the world of music than the niche of delta blues. But I find that period and genre of music to be a really fascinating part of our American culture and heritage. I'm also not sure I understand your IGS remark. If anything, IGS made me more perceptive and aware of the music around me. I love you, because you make me think about what I have to say. Very stimulating. Keep up the good work, you're just what the doctor ordered. IP: Logged
resin8er Member Posts: 1051 From: Fair Lawn, NJ, U.S.A. Registered: Feb 2002	posted 12-19-2002 18:23 As much as I like Corey Harris, the "Greens from the Garden" CD doesn't really melt my butter all that much. I'd much rather listen to "Fish Ain't Bitin" or "Between Midnight and Day". He's one of the few contemporary blue singers that can do sort of that Charlie Patton baritone thing with his voice. I have to agree with Hoodadoo about the "Greens" album in that it doesn't do justice to the beautiful cover. Its almost like a sanitized Bad Brains album or something. That's definitely a wood-bodied National though. IP: Logged
Dennis Roger Reed Moderator Posts: 1901 From: San Clemente, CA USA Registered: Sep 2000	posted 12-19-2002 19:18 I guess my next record I'll put a reso on the cover to make some sales... Several of the new "young lions" of acoustic blues including Guy Davis, Alvin Youngblood Hart and Corey Harris have taken flak for not remaining "acoustic." I admit that I like acoustic based music best, but I've liked pretty much everything these guys have put out. I don't think an artist should have to place all the instruments that they used on the cover of their CDs, nor do I think that artists that have acoustic guitars on their covers should be required to use them on every song. However, they should never be allowed to change their original hairstyles. IP: Logged
Bluedawg Member Posts: 107 From: Bluefield,WV US Registered: Nov 2002	posted 12-19-2002 22:25 I'm a Dinosaur, I like it simple,1 man,1 guitar. Down-Home Delta,Uptown Chicago and everything in-between. I love Keb'Mo's debut album,but the rest have their highs and lows for me. How about Buddy Guy/Jr.Wells Acoustic albums?? They're among the very best examples of modern traditional Blues recordings. Son House,R.Johnson,really do it for me. I would love to have a cd of Keb',Rory,Chris Whitley,Chris Thomas King,Alvin Hart doing Robert Johnson tunes.......I'd have to buy 2or3 copies. One for the car,one for the house,and a spare to carry in my pocket. Some of the performances on the video "Hellhounds on my Trail"are awesome. Like I said,I'm a Dinosaur.... IP: Logged
Scott Jacobs Moderator Posts: 3460 From: Port Charlotte, FL Registered: Apr 2001	posted 12-19-2002 22:50 Dennis, you should never be allowed to change your hairstyle. Hoodadoo, I'm just givin' you a hard time. Listen with your ears and not your eyes. All those guys, including the Taj, seem to be pegged as acoustic delta blues musicians. They continue to take grief for playing other stuff. But they're musicians, right? Why wouldn't they want to play other stuff? (This is one of those little lessons that I feel that I've gained from IGS.) I love you too, man. In regards to Kazoo: I use a harmonica holder to hold mine when I'm using my hands to play a stringed instrument. I feel that when playing ukulele, in particular, that this really adds credibility to my image as a serious musician. If any one questions the musical validity of the kazoo then I just shrug my shoulders and tell 'em what Tampa Red used to say, "Its a jazz horn." IP: Logged
hoodadoo Member Posts: 2011 From: Westport, Ct., Registered: Mar 2001	posted 12-20-2002 02:28 Bluedawg, don't forget Muddy Water's "Plantation Recordings". Now there's an example of what Scott was talking about. Here's a guy that went from those field recordings to the developement of electric Chicago blues. And he had Howlin Wolf to keep his creative competative juices flowing. Or how about the original Steve Miller Blues Band...look where he went with his music. As far as the kazoo, besides the use in old vaudaville, and jug music...isn't that a kazoo that is being played in Jefferson Airplane's "Lather"? And I know Country Joe and the Fish used kazoo on early recordings, "Open up the Pearly Gates...." Sam, I have a 1960's Silvertone acoustic 12 string, and it is one of my favorite guitars I own. The setup and action is perfect, and it plays like a dream. Lately I've been working on Paul Geremia's "If a Womans Love Was Whiskey.." (in open D) and this guitar sings. [This message has been edited by hoodadoo (edited December 20, 2002).] IP: Logged
sam unregistered	posted 12-20-2002 06:12 resin8er wrote: "Corey Harris, the "Greens from the Garden" CD.... Its almost like a sanitized Bad Brains album or something. " what's the bad brains reference? ("i against i" & the roir cassette were constant personal soundtracks in the late 80's) pls tell me more.... also hoodadoo, re: silvertone acoustics: i forgot i also own a silvertone 6 string acoustic. the neck is kind of warped so it's the guitar that's always in the corner of the living room tuned to open g. i pick it up everyday, mostly when i'm waiting for sharon or when i have a few moments to play & don't want to go upstairs & grab my nat'l or martin. IP: Logged
vleb Member Posts: 342 From: Paris, France Registered: Oct 2001	posted 12-20-2002 06:42 Yes, I know, mono-maniac...Listen to Rainer Ptacek. Try "Worried Spirits" or "Live at Performance center" : a man and his guitar (National in open D, Dobro in open G) IP: Logged
resin8er Member Posts: 1051 From: Fair Lawn, NJ, U.S.A. Registered: Feb 2002	posted 12-24-2002 08:46 In hindsight maybe the Bad Brains reference seems a tad bizzare, but the "Greens" CD has a lot of that rasta, reggae feel to it. When the Bad Brains weren't doing balls out numbers (complete with the singer doing back-flips) they did occasional forays into reggae. I hope that clarifies my off-the-wall peculiar reference to the Bad Brains. The "Greens" CD is actually okay for what it is, but when I purchased it I was expecting more of a traditional blues sound. IP: Logged
bcw unregistered	posted 12-26-2002 17:37 i like cory harris best as a solo blues artist. IP: Logged
canvassback unregistered	posted 12-26-2002 18:25 I thout that yeoow guitar was a Johnson. No? IP: Logged
peter Member Posts: 335 From: Tahoe City, California, USA Registered: Sep 2000	posted 01-11-2003 13:07 my post really ties in w/bob's thread about getting instruments to folks who need them. it just happens to relate to corey directly so i chose to post it here. i spoke to corey harris yesterday and he told me that he had just shipped a new takamine acoustic to Mali for a young student of Ali Farka Toure. the shipping cost about 3 times the price of the guitar, leading me to remark that he could have bought a plane ticket and delivered it personally for a little bit more dough. this is the 3rd guitar that corey has provided this year for a lucky young international player, which to me anyway, reveals him to be a musician with a good heart. IP: Logged
alvin unregistered	posted 02-04-2003 19:00 The word "delta" gets thrown around way too much in reference to music.It's like coke or something.Actually most cats in the delta couldn't even afford a resonator much less a guitar at all. My reso-guitar is a 1928 Triolian.I've had 'em all over the last 19 years and I've decided I like the tone of wood bodies best The Silvertones in question were Dano's.One is a single cut 60's coke bottle headstock with a blue punk rock paint job ,fitted with 2 DeArmond pickups.The other is a double cutaway late 50's one lipstick model with the duckfoot/duckbill headstock.The SG was a 1965 special with the best P90's I ever heard.The tele was a Japanese Jerry Donahue model.The amp was a single channel '83 JCM 800 2x12 50 watter.The effects were a 1960's Made in Italy Playa Baby wah,a Blood Drive (my own make) germanium overdrive,the dreaded '83 tube screamer,a Dano tuna melt trem(better than a demeter)Boss harmonist,DM 3,RV2,& TU 2. IP: Logged

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