SmartSound Strata Series: All About The Blues - A history of the blues in one gritty collection, spanning the range of acoustic and electric blues styles from the Delta to Chicago. Authentically researched and performed.

Once upon a time in 1969, a young Dutch millionaire by the name of Stanley August Miesegaes gave his acquaintance, vocalist and keyboardist Rick Davies, a "genuine opportunity" to form his own band; he could form the band of his dreams and Miesegaes would pay for it. After placing an ad in Melody Maker, Davies assembled Supertramp alongside co-founders Roger Hodgson (vocals, piano, guitar, cello), Richard Palmer (vocals, guitar, balalaika), and former stage actor Robert Millar (percussion, harmonica). Supertramp released two long-winded progressive rock albums before Miesegaes withdrew his support, and by early 1972, Davies and Hodgson were the only founding members remaining. The pair began an extensive search for replacements and soon pieced together the lineup that would be responsible for Supertramp's definitive sound, comprising new members Doug Thomson (bass), Bob Siebenberg (percussion), and John Helliwell (woodwinds, saxophone, keyboards).

Once upon a time in 1969, a young Dutch millionaire by the name of Stanley August Miesegaes gave his acquaintance, vocalist and keyboardist Rick Davies, a "genuine opportunity" to form his own band; he could form the band of his dreams and Miesegaes would pay for it. After placing an ad in Melody Maker, Davies assembled Supertramp alongside co-founders Roger Hodgson (vocals, piano, guitar, cello), Richard Palmer (vocals, guitar, balalaika), and former stage actor Robert Millar (percussion, harmonica). Supertramp released two long-winded progressive rock albums before Miesegaes withdrew his support, and by early 1972, Davies and Hodgson were the only founding members remaining. The pair began an extensive search for replacements and soon pieced together the lineup that would be responsible for Supertramp's definitive sound, comprising new members Doug Thomson (bass), Bob Siebenberg (percussion), and John Helliwell (woodwinds, saxophone, keyboards).

Billy is an unparalleled source of historical information about the development of the harmonica in this century. After delivering an informative and entertaining introduction about the instrument he loves, Billy walks and talks you through the important aspects of the styles of both Sonny Boys and the two Walters. Each artist's work is demonstrated by a performance with rhythm section backing and then a clear, concise explanation. Topics covered include playing in first, second and third positions, note bending, trills, back up accompaniment and playing minor blues. Billy shows it all with diatonic and chromatic harmonicas, spicing his musical analysis with anecdotes and gentle humor. A booklet with the main musical examples transcribed combines with the DVD in the definitive method for learning classic Chicago blues harmonica.

Billy is an unparalleled source of historical information about the development of the harmonica in this century. After delivering an informative and entertaining introduction about the instrument he loves, Billy walks and talks you through the important aspects of the styles of both Sonny Boys and the two Walters. Each artist's work is demonstrated by a performance with rhythm section backing and then a clear, concise explanation. Topics covered include playing in first, second and third positions, note bending, trills, back up accompaniment and playing minor blues. Billy shows it all with diatonic and chromatic harmonicas, spicing his musical analysis with anecdotes and gentle humor. A booklet with the main musical examples transcribed combines with the DVD in the definitive method for learning classic Chicago blues harmonica.

Billy is an unparalleled source of historical information about the development of the harmonica in this century. After delivering an informative and entertaining introduction about the instrument he loves, Billy walks and talks you through the important aspects of the styles of both Sonny Boys and the two Walters. Each artist's work is demonstrated by a performance with rhythm section backing and then a clear, concise explanation. Topics covered include playing in first, second and third positions, note bending, trills, back up accompaniment and playing minor blues. Billy shows it all with diatonic and chromatic harmonicas, spicing his musical analysis with anecdotes and gentle humor. A booklet with the main musical examples transcribed combines with the DVD in the definitive method for learning classic Chicago blues harmonica.

Michael Lee Firkins gives a thorough and well-rounded lesson dealing with scales and routines, whammy bar effects for unique slide and pedal steel sounds, overdubbing lead harmonies and solos over a rhythm part, blues leads, tapping effects and real tapping for lightning fast runs, fingerpicking for both lead and rhythm, Jimmy Page and Joe Walsh styles, special harmonica and banjo effects, open-string tapping styles, and advanced sweeping and arpeggio techniques and exercises.