That was so great to hear Mark play. You were my blues in the 80's my friend. Thank you for getting me off my seat and to love moving to the Mark Ford Band, Blue Meanies, etc.
Saw the Ford band with Charlie Musselwhite in Huntington Beach at the Golden Bear around '74 or so. I don't recall Mark being there that nite but the band played many numbers from their album they'd cut with Charlie, including "Blu Stu." Robben couldn't have even been 18 or 19, but he was otherworldly on the alto sax. Also in the band that nite was Skip Rose, the most amazing blues pianist I've ever heard. What a nite.
There I was in 1978 ,flippin through albums at a record store in Pasadena when I spot this sepia tone album cover with these young guys calling themselves "The Charles Ford Band". I read the notes on the back and thought, I never heard of them but I just had the feeling that they smoked the blues.....they did man, oh did they ever! The first Charles Ford Band album, buy it if you are a blues musician. Robben sounds like Bloomfield and Mark, a lot like the Butterfield. After that album came out Robben switched to jazz, where he's so damn good that even the jazz (which I am personally dispassionate about) is good stuff to. I don't recall if Mark on harp continued in the public's eye or not. A very talented family.
One of the best tone from a diatonic on the album with his brother, the name of the album i forget but the track was the 01- Gimme Some 10-Projecting My Love what a beautiful sound.....
Thaks for this nice n´ wisdom words,Mark.I´m fan of your music,your way of playing n´ your way or singing.I´ve copy some of your amazing phrases specially in the high notes-you´re a great master in this area-.It´s a pity you don´t record so much.Even your voice is much better than most of the blues singers.
Huey is great, but he's no Mark Ford or Norton Buffalo. Not even close. And btw, while you're talking about great Cali harp players, don't forget the legendary Charlie Musselwhite.
@@humankindmedia9741 What's great about Huey as that he only plays as much as is needed. He could play all over every song if he wanted to. His technique and tone is solid enough for him to be respected. I love all the guys you've mentioned, but hands down Huey beats them for the voice. The voice is the ultimate instrument. Too bad about Hueys health now. As for Charlie, I've always been a big fan, for the unique tone. But Charlies weak point is that he often fails musically. Its like he can't tell when he's playing a bum note (especially when he's stretching out in the other positions). I guess you can pick anybody apart when you look (or hear) hard enough.
@@nelsonhibbert5267 All valid responses. As I said, I LOVE Huey, and I do see your point. He is a triple threat: Harp, vocals and songwriting. And if all that isn't enough, rumor has it that he rejuvenated my favorite band by bringing them on tour with him, Tower of Power. I admire Huey greatly; I just think the other guys are stronger on harp, but it hear you. I should be as successful as Huey Lewis. To prove my admiration, this is me on vocals and Harp on Heart on R&R with my band. Thanks for the reply. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yOUR0zoyHQ4.html
@@humankindmedia9741 No problem and thanks. Tower of Power are awesome! I think The News would frequently "borrow" their horn section as I recall. And Mark Ford is one of the more creative players I've heard. I've only heard a few things by Norton Buffalo, that multiple harp solo on the Bonnie Raitt track was impressive. I only heard of him after I'd seen a picture of him playing alongside Huey! They must be friends or acquaintances from a long way back.
Cheats on work song like Butterfield plays the WRONG note. Take 5 is easy to play on a Harp in at least 8 keys if not all. These two are very very basic
@@citypulse922 "Beginner"?!...Have you ever done enough gigs to make up a calendar month?!..... One thing you learn early or you dont learn it at all and wind up a Cat talkn instead of doin, is "HUMILITY"... Butter was one of the few non African American Cats who could hang with the southside Bros, like Wolf and Muddy, and you could count them on one hand, Mike Bloomfield, Johnny Winter, Duane Allman, and Jesse Ed Davis, AND, Butter was an excellent composer. You ever write anything like "Last Hope Gone" or One More Heartache".?! You ever write "ANYTHING?!.... As for "ME", I was runnin and giggin b4 you were old enough "or" capable " enough to bang cheerleaders. Ive shared the stage w/ artists from Titp Puente to Eddie Money, from Southside Johnny and the Ashbury Jukes to Casey and the sunshine band. I met and jammed w/ Muddy, Pinetop Perkins, Willie Big Eyes Smith at the Cellar Door in Washington DC and have recorded with jammed with, or opened for Bobby Parker, Sonny Rhodes, Bernard Allison, Albert King!, The Nighthawks, Walter Trout, Hollywood Fats, and Don Preston . Who you play with?..... and NO I got nuthin uploaded 4 RU-vid, but you ck out my website www.jukejointjokers.com and try and tell me or anyone else if "Im" frontin. Get out more..LOL, Man THATS RICH. Yea thanks for playin theres some lovely parting gifts behind door #3, but WRONG
