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("August 2004 Cd Reviews"Reviews by Steve"Big Daddy BluzHarp"Harvell
(Bluz/Boogie Woogie Harmonica Supreme!) "Sonny Boy" Terry "Breakfast Dance")

"Sonny Boy" Terry is one of the hottest players on the scene today with a sound that is something of a cross between William Clarke,Rod Piazza and James Harman. I give this 2003 release a soild (7) Harp Salute as well as my "Nasty Harp Award" for being on the forefront of modern amplified harmonica playing. This is a must have cd.

I have been getting email for months from harp lovers saying that I need to checkout a cat named Sonny Boy Terry based outa Houston,Texas. When I first put this cd on I was completely spellbound by the complete mastery that Sonny Boy has on the diatonic and chromatic harps. This cat rocks like a cross between R.J. Mischo/Rod Piazza and William Clarke, I mean this fella can rock like a mountain landslide. His amplified tone is absolutley to die for, just the right amount of overdrive to give ya those chill bumps and make the hair on the back of ya neck and arms stand straight up (that is how I feel music that is really good).

On the side Sonny Boy teaches harmonica to everyone from housewives to retirees to highschoolers. He picked up the harmonica more than 23 years ago while growing up in Ohio after his father gave him one as a gift. Back then most of his friends were in garage bands playing guitars, bass and drums but he was concentrating on the harmonica and picking up gigs. Sonny had thought about moving to Chicago and hitting the blues scene but with the recession he decided to move down to Texas and get in with the blues scene there. Sonny Boy was a sideman until 1995 when he put together his own band with guitarist Bill Anderson. He has since recorded 2 albums, 2000's Breakfast Dance and a live recording at Houston‚s fabled Third Ward juke joint, Miss Ann's Playpen.

This is one of the tightest bands that I have heard in a very long time, Little Ray Ybarra can absolutely set his guitar on fire with such soulfull playing that it is uncanny. The whole band is PERFECT, I am in awe at what they are doing, I would go into more detail but as I pointed out above, Listen to Sonny Boy,go to the website and listen for yourself at what Sonny Boy Terry and his band are putting down.

I am giving Sonny and his band my highest rating of a (7) Harp Salute and Sonny Boy Terry Gets my "Nasty Harp Award" as well for making that harmonica sound like it is alive and breathing pure fire. I am also putting this release in my "BluzHarp's Favorite Cds of 2004" section as well. This is my most highly recommended cd so far this year!