NORTON BUFFALO AND BLUES HARMONICA IN THE SAME GENIUS CATEGORY AS MILES DAVIS AND A TRUMPET

https://youtu.be/EiHafshbBJI?si=tsqihE2sY8tFNP2Z

Blues is the sort of music which I always come back to, with a bit of Buddy Holly and Credence Clearwater chucked in. I don't know, it is just the most genuine and emotive form of music you can find, and unlike what some people think, blues isn`t always a sad and depressing listen, depending on what form of it you listen to. 

Normally straight out harmonica blues is built around a few too many negative themes, whether or not vocals are included, the harp is the sort of instrument that expels some sort of a telepathic equivalent of singing simply because it omits a sound that directly reflects the emotions of someone playing it more than any other instrument, hand made for people who aren`t musicians but want to be one, like me I guess. 

One of the best harmonica players ever was a white American genius by the name of Norton Buffalo, he died from cancer in 2009, he had recorded dozens of his own albums and was a member of The Steve Miller Band.

The album I have of Norton`s that I rate as one of my absolutely favourite blues albums in any genre is one he recorded with his band, The Knockouts, which is called NORTON BUFFALO AND THE KNOCKOUTS -
KING OF THE HIGHWAY. 

A very inspired collection of harmonica led blues with a modern touch. On the back cover, a testimonial from the Salt Lake Tribune begins with a very fitting introduction.

It reads: TO SAY THAT NORTON PLAYS THE
HARMONICA IS ON THE ORDER OF CALLING
MILES DAVIS A TRUMPETER. 

There are only compliments on display from this and other testimonials praising Norton Buffalo for the genius he truly was. 

The Knockouts provide so much great piano, organ, even trumpet and sax on certain tracks, with only a little bit of guitar featuring on the album. 

This gives it an unusually contemporary feel which you wouldn`t often get with harmonica blues. It certainly doesn`t sound like a Sonny Terry affair, more like Charlie Musslewhite but more refined. 

And to top it off, Buffalo ain't a bad singer either, not that powerful, what you might say low key but very sincere. 

His singing is pleasant, his harmonica playing is absolutely out of this universe brilliant. I have no hesitation whatsoever in saying that everyone who wants to have a bit of harmonica blues to add to their collection must have this album. It was released in 2000 on the Blind Pig Records label.