His place on the honor roll of Chicago blues harpists long ago assured,
Carey Bell truly came into his own in the '90s as a bandleader with
terrific discs for Alligator and Blind Pig. He learned his distinctive
harmonica riffs from the Windy City's very best (both Walters -- Little
and Big -- as well as Sonny Boy Williamson II), adding his own
signature effects for good measure (an otherworldly moan immediately
identifies many of his more memorable harp rides).
Born Carey Bell
Harrington in the blues-fertile state of Mississippi, he was already
playing the harp when he was eight and working professionally with his
godfather, pianist Lovie Lee, at 13. The older and more experienced Lee
brought Carey with him to Chicago in search of steady musical
opportunities in 1956. Gigs frequently proved scarce, and Carey
eventually took up electric bass, playing behind Robert Nighthawk,
Johnny Young, and his mentor Big Walter Horton. Finally, in 1969, Bell
made his debut album (on harp) for Delmark, and he was on his way.
Louisiana
Red (born Iverson Minter) is a flamboyant guitarist, harmonica player
and vocalist. He lost his parents early in life through multiple
tragedies; his mother died of pneumonia a week after his birth, and his
father was lynched by the Klu Klux Klan when he was five. Red began
recording for Chess in 1949, then joined the army. After his discharge,
he played with John Lee Hooker in Detroit for almost two years in the
late '50s. He maintained a busy recording and performing schedule
through the 1990s, having done sessions for Chess, Checker, Atlas,
Glover, Roulette, L&R and Tomato among others. --- by Bill Dahl
& Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
Tracks
After a While / Easy
(When I Lost My Baby) / Girl From Westpoint / House Rent Party / I Want
to Sail A Ship Across the Desert / Rambling Around / When A Woman Gets
in Trouble / Country Playboy / Blues with A Feeling / Sweet Geneva / My
Friend Carey / Mean Old Frisco.