Big Walter Horton with Carey Bell - Have Mercy

Horton, Eyeball Music, BMI

A venerated master of blues harmonica, Walter appeared on dozens of blues 78s, 45s and albums starting in the 1950s, first in Memphis and later in Chicago. He recorded singles of his own and with everyone from Muddy Waters to Otis Rush to Willie Dixon. His beautiful, melodic sound and his dynamics, ranging from a vibrato-laden whisper to a roar, were utterly distinctive. I dreamed of recording him, but Walter was a reclusive, emotionally scarred man, reluctant to step into the spotlight. It was seeing him jam with his protégé Carey Bell at Florence’s Lounge that gave me the idea of bringing Walter and Carey together to record. Having his musical “son” alongside him let Walter open up in the studio. Have Mercy is two virtuosos inspiring each other to a great performance.