Search - Charlie Musselwhite :: Delta Hardware

Charlie climbing upward with age

Robert Orme | San Jose, CA | 08/13/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've owned this CD for about six months and really dig it. I'll add a little disclaimer: This is really only for true blues enthusiasts, but then again, I don't know who else would be looking at reviews of a Charlie Musselwhite CD. I just saw this band at The San Jose Jazz Festival two nights ago, 8/11/07, and they authenticated live everything that you hear on this CD, and much, much more. Charlie to be honest doesn't have much of a voice, but it's actually perfect for the genre of blues in which he dwells; call it the "Blues Storyteller Voice", if you will. And man, can he make that harmonica scream. I've heard more technically proficient harp players, but I don't think anyone plays it with more feeling than Charlie. But possibly the best thing Charlie has going for him right now is his new guitarist, Kid Anderson. The guy was getting rave applause after every single solo the other night, and he often took over the song. But that's exactly what Charlie needed, a very strong instrumentalist to keep things interesting during a 90 minute set, and when Charlie takes off on the harp after an Anderson solo, it makes it that much more exciting. If you're a blues lover, catch Charlie if he comes through your town. But the Amazon review was right on, every word of it. Don't wait to see the band live; if you love the blues, especially blues harmonica, pick this one up. Charlie is the real deal."

Charlie Musselwhite is the best

W. Keenom | Portland, OR | 02/11/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From the first time Charlie Musselwhite ever recorded his music he was among the greatest blues artists we've ever had a chance to witness. But in the last ten years Charlie has earned his spot as the elder statesman of the Delta Blues idiom, a title he earns with authenticity and hard work, but primarily a love for the music he knows so well.



With the advent of Delta Hardware he gives us all a gift that jumps out at me when I look through my collection of blues recordings. I've had the pleasure of calling the man on the phone and telling him how much I enjoy his recorded work. Charlie Musselwhite doesn't need to hear that from me, but I need to say it to him. Very few recordings put a knot in my stomach and make me wonder why he wasn't given a Grammy or some lifetime achievement award or just a big fat wad of money, and listen, if I had it I'd give it to him myself. Because Delta Hardware, like so many of his other recordings enrich my life and take me to a place that I rarely get to go - music valhalla man. I swear, you could just find a kid that could beat the bottom end of a plastic bucket in time and let Charlie blow that soulful harp of his that just drips mojo grease, and man, that right there would be good enough for me. I pray he gets to do this for many more years."