Today the theme is: Audio Narcotics. Recordings that probably should be illegal to listen to when driving or using heavy equipment AND are fun to jam with on the harmonica.

The first one is Led Zepplin 1, “Dazed and Confused” You need some overblows to pull this off, but I find it a great workout overall, and getting the feel of it in my playing is an endless process. Jimmy Page also plays lots of other classic riffs on other cuts in this recording that are fun to figure out on the harmonica.

The other one is Jimi Hendrix, the CD titled “Blues”, the cut “Born Under a Bad Sign”. This is a 7 minute instrumental that mostly stays on the 1 chord, and is another deliriously spaced out trip that just FEELS SO GOOD. I play it in third position most of the time, and it never fails to give me loads of new ideas, and capturing the mood of this is an elusive challenge that I never get tired of.

Then there is “Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye. This recording has a serious x-factor mojo that I can’t explain, but it never fails to put me in a good mood. It also just seems to be made for second position harmonica.

And lastly for now “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross. God, what a blast of sustained exuberance! The slide trombone solo has a terrific entrance, and overall this cut just crackles with energy and pure joy.

All of these recordings hold up really well to repeat play, and are significant mood altering musical vacations. Check them out!