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Carey Bell – Carey Bell’s Blues Harp
Delmark DE 622
Compact Disc (1995)

After his discovery by Charlie Musselwhite, we first heard Carey Bell in little West Side bars where the price of admission was, at most, a dollar. It was obvious that he should be recorded and sessions were held using the musicians who played with him at those little corner taverns. Most of the bars and the sidemen have faded from the scene but Carey Bell, Pinetop Perkins and Jimmy Dawkins have earned well-deserved fame. Carey went on to become a member of Earl Hooker’s best band, then held membership in the bands of Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf, and worldwide tours while his own group, often including his gifted son Lurrie. There’s a passion and a hunger in his first performances that makes this album a must for fans of Chicago blues harp.

All compositions by Carey Bell except where noted

1) "I'm Ready" (Willie Dixon) − 3:08
2) "I Got to Find Somebody" (Little Walter) − 4:20
3) "I Wanna Will My Love to You" (Little Walter) − 3:40
4) "Blue Monday at Kansas City Red's" − 4:03
5) "I'm Gonna Buy Me a Train Ticket" − 3:47
6) "Come on Over Here" − 3:09
7) "I Cry So Much" (Mel London) − 4:47
8) "Sad Dreams" − 4:47
9) "Everything's Up Tight" (Junior Wells) − 4:05
10) "You Know It Ain't Right" (Little Walter) − 3:45
11) "Last Night" (Little Walter) − 4:34
12) "Rocking With a Chromatic" − 3:22
13) "I'm Gonna Buy Me a Train Ticket" [alternate take] − 2:29 Additional track on CD reissue
14) "Walking in the Park" − 2:54 Additional track on CD reissue
15) "Carey Bell's Blues Harp" − 15:44 Additional track on CD reissue

Recorded at Sound Studios, Chicago on February 12, 1969 (tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 & 13) and May 6, 1969 (tracks 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14 & 15)

Carey Bell − vocals, harmonica
Pinetop Perkins − piano (tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 & 13)
Jimmy Dawkins - guitar (tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 & 13)
Royal Johnson - guitar (right) (tracks 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14 & 15)
Eddie Taylor - guitar (left) (tracks 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14 & 15)
Joe Harper - bass
Sidney Thomas - drums (tracks 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14 & 15)
Willie Williams - drums(tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 & 13)