Who is Little Walter

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 4 people | Log in to rate

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A Blues Legend

In any conversation about blues harp music or playing the harmonica, one name is sure to come up as the musician all others are compared to...Little Walter.

During his short life, this blues legend revolutionized how the harmonica is played and impacted the sound of blues forever.

Little Walter died at the age of 37 from injuries he sustained in a Chicago street fight.  He was inducted to the Blues Foundation's Blues Hall of Fame in 1980. 

Three reasons to listen to Little Walter 

1. He pioneered the amplified harp sound.

2. Most modern blues harp players cite him as an inspiration.

3. Great music...blues with a feeling.

Little Walter at a Glance 

A Legendary Blues Musician and Singer

:For the radio personality, see Little Walter DeVenne.

Little Walter, born Marion Walter Jacobs (May 1, 1930 ? February 15, 1968), was an American blues harmonica player whose revolutionary technique has earned him comparisons to Charlie Parker and Jimi HendrixGlover, Dirks, & Gaines. Blues With A Feeling - The Little Walter Story, Routledge Press, 2002 for its innovation and impact on succeeding generations. His virtuosity and musical innovations fundamentally altered many listeners' expectations of what was possible on blues harmonica. Little Walter's body of work earned him a spot in The R...

Little Walter Albums 

A sampling of the best Little Walter collections...

The Essential

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The Best of Little Walter, Vol. 2

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Confessin' the Blues

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Little Walter Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Film 

Little Walter R&R Hall of Fame film

A brief film about blues harmonica icon Little Walter Jacobs, which was shown as part of his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on March 10, 2008. For those who are interested in learning more about Little Walter, including the answers to some of the questions posted in the comments section for this video, and how the real Little Walter was different from the character portrayed in "Cadillac Records", read the award-winning biography of Little Walter, "Blues With A Feeling - The Little Walter Story". The book won the award for "Best Research in Recorded Blues and Gospel Music" from The Association for Recorded Sound Collections, and was inducted into Blues Hall of Fame as a "Classic of Blues Literature" in 2007. The book is available at Amazon.com and most major book sellers. For more information about Little Walter, including a link to buy the book, go to http://www.littlewalter.net.

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More Little Walter Info 

Little Walter Biography Site
Official site by the authors of "Blues With A Feeling - The Little Walter Story". Lots of great info and pics here that I haven't seen anywhere else.
Masters of Blues Harp
Short bio of Little Walter.
Blues Online
A discography of Little Walter tunes along with a brief bio.
Little Walter Harp Tabs
This site has free tabs for a few of Little Walter's tunes.

Are you a Little Walter fan? 

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Videos of Little Walter 

There is very little video footage of Little Walter. Here are some vintage clips of him performing with Hound Dog Taylor and Koko Taylor.

Koko Taylor ft. Little Walter - Wang Dang Doodle

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Hound Dog Taylor with Little Walter

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Books on Little Walter 

Blues with a Feeling: The Little Walter Story

The only Little Walter biography available.

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Sourcebook of Little Walter/Big Walter Licks for Blues Harmonica

Includes tabs for many of Little Walter's best riffs and a CD of the author playing them.

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The sincerest form of flattery... 

Other bands performing Little Walter tunes

Many bands and harp players perform Little Walter tunes. Check out a few favorites from YouTube...

Little Walter 's -Dont have to hunt (Messy) -Blues Harmonica

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Little Walter 's - Tell me Mama - Blues Harmonica

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Tell Me Mama... 

Share your Little Walter stories, memories, inspirations or thoughts...

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Blues With A Feeling... 

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Doesn't that feel good?

by Mac33

I recently started playing the harmonica and listening to Little Walter's music.

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