William Clarke, my harmonica hero 

I was fortunate enough to be his drummer on the Cross Tracks Party Band EP, "Blues From Los Angeles." We grew up in the same town, Gardena California, but he and the rest of the band were about 10 years older than I was. At that time I was 19.

William, like most West Coast cats, was heavly influenced by George Smith. Another influence of William was a lesser known player - Shakey Jake Harris. Jake was a wonderful player, with a very fluid style. When William was just 16 years old he played in a band with Jake much like Rod Piazza and George Smith. Two harp players. They put out one LP - that I have a copy of. It's really killer.

Clarke blew my mind first time I heard his music!!He is the most powerful harp player ever!

I dig William clarke, but what about Butterfield? Anyway love your lessons, you, gussow and jason Ricci are deffinetly a driving force in my playing...thanks for everything

Thanks Ronnie, i had heard of William and he is on my wish list on Amazon but he's now gone to the top of the pile ready for pay day. Thanks for sharing:o)

One of the greats for sure. On the same album, there's a tune called With a Tear in my Eye, that has a wicked 4 octave walk up in the sole. Amazing lick! Cheers RS, love your vids bro.

Clarke was definitely one of the greatest of all time. R.I.P.

Sugar Ray does shit similar to William - landing the half step bend on 2 draw (whole 7 note) in And The Angels Sing.. and a turnaround phrase he builds up to, live vid here, then nails.. and for structure, perfect presentation, and swing - have to say again Magic Dick recently with Bluestime Band - effortless cornet-like tone to the back of the room

The best Chromatic Blues player for sure. I saw him live twice in Los Angeles back in the mid 80's. One of the few who could make a Chromatic like a Hohner CBH 2016, sound like a Big Ol Diatonic.

Ronnie i have just recently found William Clarke a few months ago man he moves me real good, great to hear you show and share the same passion fdor his style and harp in general shame he died before i really found him. keep on keepin on ronnie youve certainly helped me play better cheers

Hi Ronnie, William Clarke is one of my favourite players (although Paul deLay just edges it for me but that's just personal taste). Blowin' The Family Jewels is a masterpiece of an instrumental! Great video by the way!

Love William Clarke! He is just one of the most solid kickin ass harmonica players I've listened to over the years. I could spend the rest of my life figuring out his work alone and not come close to matching his style and finesse! He was the whole package.

Heey Ronnie, I also recommend the William Clarke cd with the legend Junior Watson called: William Clarke With Junior Watson - Double Dealin. This record is mind blowing, with great uptempo shuffles and a great swing! This is one of the best record if your into the jump blues! The phrasing and timing is really incredible.

Larry Adler was my greatest influence and if you don't know who he is do look him up. He is the only harp player who created a composition for a motion picture that was ever nominated for an academy award. He's really worth getting to know as there are still musicians that are faithful to his work.

I've used the CD training method since I first started in 1971, I've used Sonny Boy and William Clarke for my Blues stuff but for everything else, I follow Stevie Wonders style of playing on a Chromatic. I don' play to much Blues with a Diatonic, anymore , now everything I play is with a Chromatic.

Thankyou Ronnie. i didn't know about William Clarke but i sure do now. all the best mate!

Ronnie, hope you heard his stuff behind Smokey Wilson on 'A lil' Bit of Your Love'.

This is a strange one , just finishing getting this song down and what I've been doing is rewinding and repeating x1000 lol Considering this 11years ago, do you still stand by the thought process that that element of your practice is what cemented it for you. That's why I said this was strange because I question my process all the time and then you listed my process lol Also I haven't watched the end I feel like that's cheating. Is that logical

Nice...still in awe of his skills. AMAZING. You describe him really well!

Ronnie, thanks for the tip on this guy. After seeing this video, I went to Itunes and downloaded the deluxe edition album. I have listened to it over and over. The guy was amazing. I can definitely hear his influence in your playing, it was pretty obvious to me almost right away. What a band too. That drummer is ridiculous!! I will be studying his stuff like crazy. Thanks again man.

William Clarke was my biggest influence long before I picked up a harp.

Funny, I just worked out the tabs for everything until the end of the first solo, and then I stumble across this...

You need to get in touch with Lee Oskar about a record deal like Alligator or Blind Zpig just get them a demo man good luck

LOLLIPOP MAMA!!

Damn...you nailed my exact feeeling ...great...W.C. is amazing.

Wow..... I had heard his name, but didn't even know he played harmonica. He is awesome. Thank you Ronnie for sharing this... :)

Hahaha, It reminds me of your playing

Complainer Boogie Woogie is my all time fav WC tune.

5:21 - mixolydian scale

I can honestly recommend everything William Clarke has put out: Blowing Like Hell, Serious Intentions, Groove Time, Hard Way, Deluxe Edition, Tip of the Top and other rare recordings. I absolutely love every single one of the Cds.

Bill in person was a power house!

One cool cat RIP Brother

Don't forget his Lp's Hittin Heavy, Tip of the Top, Rockin The Boat, Blues from Los Angeles, and His Ep Cross Tracks Party Band, and the 45 Drinkin Beer, also featured on an Albert Jarvinen LP Features Bill on 3 songs and Albert king on 1 song the LP if from Finland where it was recorded. Happy Collecting Mark of the Blues

This is very cool Ronnie. I knew Bill really we'll. He and another harp player friend used to do the Southbay blues jam circuit years ago. Many a Sunday at the Crest and when he put his band together and started hosting blues jams we'd always support. Bill was an incredible talent but very humble and kind. He wasn't a show off he was ALWAYS willing to help young guys starting out and I really miss him. He's in my top five right there with Little Walter Butterfield and Alan Wilson.

Hello from Chile Ronnie, i agree with all of your words about William. he is my harmonica hero too and his work is part of my harmonica life. in all of my gigs i try to put some of his tunes and people in my country are starting to get familiar with his music.. Nice video and i am glad pro players like you name Willian and make videos like this!!!! Take care my friend!! Erwin

I totally agree with you Ronnie, I have had William Clarke CD's in my car for 10 years, listening and playing with and because of all the details and things he do there is always things to learn. I specially like his 2 position C on chromatic in songs like Complainers boogie woogie.

Another player that influenced William's playing was Little Sonny Montgomery. You can hear a lot of Little Sonny in William's staccato, funky side.

Good stuff ronnie.Thanks, loved the little pieces of William Clarke. Big shortage of good blues harmonica cds here in the sticks but i will take your advice and obtain a copy of above cd from e mail address given. Can't wait to get amongst it.

@RonnieShellist I met the man and he had the class and kindness that you would expect from a master, even, a genius - reserved and wise. I have no idea of the reality, of how he lived. But for sure - he freed up the basic three positions of diatonic harp.. I would not expect him to have been lost on a pop country or jazz record..without a chromatic (which instrument I think del Junco Levy and others should just go and get down with.) Mr Clarke never wound up with fake notes that cannot be held

I hope his son is getting well

I totally agree with you Ronnie, a great first album to buy on itunes or anywhere else is the Live In Germany Album. The tune on this I like the most is She's Dynamite. I never realized that he played some of his best stuff on a C harp, also on this Album you'll find Lollipop and All Night Long. Thanks for this YTube! Anyone else out there want to hear Ronnie play some more Clarke raise your hands?

I've been digging Bill since the late 80s say...James Harman..not bad

Big sixty fo

Thank you.

Ronnie-Thank you for posting this. Hope your doing good Ronnie..

R.I.P. William Clarke. He will always be sorely missed.

Great video RONNIE

Ronnie,Ihave been playing for 30 years grew up on James Cotton,Jimmy Reed,and now William Clarke thanks to you,Ihave played golden melody,special 20,hohner pro harp just ordered my first suzuki manji today.My question for you is what is your first choice harp and custom verses out of box?

William Clarke is my favorite harp player/singer. Hell he might be my favorite blues artist period.

Thanks, man.