Carey Bell

Carey Bell

Carey Bell (November 14 1936 - May 6 2007) was an American blues musician who played the harmonica in the Chicago blues style. Bell played harp and bass for other blues icons during the late 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s before embarking on a solo career. Besides his own albums, he recorded as an accompanist or duo artist with Earl Hooker, Robert Nighthawk, Lowell Fulson, Eddie Taylor, Louisiana Red, Jimmy Dawkins as well as a frequent partner with his son, guitarist Lurrie Bell. Blues Revue called Bell "one of Chicago’s finest harpists." . The Chicago Tribune said Bell is "a terrific talent in the tradition of Sonny Boy Williamson and Little Walter."

Career

Early life

Bell was born Carey Bell Harrington in Macon, Mississippi. As a child, Bell was intrigued by the music of Louis Jordan. Bell wanted a saxophone in order to be like his hero Jordan; however, Bell's family could not afford a saxophone he had to settle for the harmonica, colloquially known as a "Mississippi saxophone." Soon Bell was attracted by the blues harmonica greats: DeFord Bailey, Big Walter Horton, Marion "Little Walter" Jacobs, and Sonny Boy Williamson (I and II). Bell taught himself to play. By the time he was eight, he was quite proficient on the instrument. When he was thirteen, Bell joined his pianist godfather Lovie Lee's blues band.

Chicago

In 1956, Lovie Lee convinced Bell to go with him to Chicago, a city then electrified by its own blues scene and sound. Lee and Bell arrived in Chicago in September of that year. Not long after arriving, Bell went to the Club Zanzibar, where Little Walter was appearing. Bell met Walter and later learned some licks from the master. However, his main Chicago teacher was Big Walter Horton. To help further his chances of employment as a musician, Bell learned how to play the electric bass (from Hound Dog Taylor). Bell was then fortunate to meet Sonny Boy Williamson II and Big Walter Horton.

Despite Bell's learning from some of the greatest blues harp players of the genre, he arrived in Chicago at an unfortunate time. The demand for harp players was decreasing there as electric guitar became the prominent blues instrument. To pay the bills, Bell continued to play bass and joined several bands as a bassist. In the late 60s, he appeared regularly on the west side of Chicago with guitarists Eddie Taylor and Royal Johnson, playing both harmonica and bass. Soon after, Bell cased up his bass and polished his harp, returning to the scene with his beloved instrument. In 1969 Carey Bell toured Europe and the UK with the American Folk Blues Festival, and played at the Royal Albert Hall in London, appearing on a live recording of the event.

Debut through 1980s

In 1969, Delmark Records in Chicago released Bell's debut LP, Carey Bell's Blues Harp. Bell played with Muddy Waters in late 1970 and 1971 and later with Willie Dixon's Chicago Blues All-Stars. In 1972, Bell teamed up with Big Walter in the studio and released Big Walter Horton with Carey Bell for Alligator Records. A year later Bell released a solo project entitled Last Night for ABC Bluesway. Bell continued to play with Dixon as well as with his own groups, and in 1978, Bell was featured on the Grammy-nominated album Living Chicago Blues on Alligator. Also, in the 1970s, Bell appeared on two Bob Riedy Blues Band recordings.

During the 1980s Bell continued to record for various labels and to tour. In 1990, Bell teamed up with fellow harpists Junior Wells, James Cotton and Billy Branch to record Harp Attack!. A modern Blues classic, Harp Attack! became one of Alligator Records's best selling albums.

Alligator years

Despite years in the business and work with Alligator, Bell's first full-length solo album for the label was not until Deep Down, released in 1995. On the album, Bell's signature harp style is on prominent display. A seminal piece of modern blues, Deep Down gave Bell much deserved recognition outside of the blues circles in which he was already legendary.

In 1997, Bell released the second album on the label Good Luck Man, which was less raw than its predecessor but nonetheless highly listenable. Second Nature (originally recorded in Finland a few years earlier) followed in 2004, a duet album with his guitarist son, Lurrie Bell (who shared the guitar duties with Carl Weathersby on Deep Down).

In 1998, Bell was awarded the Blues Music Award for Traditional Male Artist Of The Year.

Final work

In 2007 Delmark records released a live set by Bell accompanied by a band which included son Lurrie, guitarist Scott Cable, Kenny Smith, Bob Stroger and Joe Thomas.

Death

Carey Bell died of heart failure on May 6, 2007 in Chicago.

Discography

• 2007 Gettin Up: Live at Buddy Guy's Legends Rosa's (Delmark)
• 2004 Second Nature (Alligator)
• 1999 Brought Up the Hard Way (JSP CD 802)
• 1997 Good Luck Man (Alligator)
• 1995 Deep Down (Alligator)
• 1995 Carey Bell & Spike Ravenswood (Saar)
• 1994 Harpmaster (JSP)
• 1992 Breakdown Blues-Live (CMA Rec.) with 'The Cat'
• 1991 Mellow Down Easy (Blind Pig)
• 1990 Dynasty! (JSP)
• 1988 Harpslinger (JSP)
• 1986 Straight Shoot (Blues South West)
• 1983 Son of a Gun (Rooster Blues)
• 1982 Goin' on Main Street (Evidence)
• 1977 Heartaches and Pain (Delmark)
• 1973 Last Night (One Way)
• 1969 Carey Bell's Blues Harp (Delmark)

with Louisiana Red

• 2004 The Blues Masters Bad Case of the Blues (Mojo Tone )
• 1994 Live at 55 (Enja)
• 1993 Brothers in Blues (CMA Rec.)
• 1984 My Life (L+R)
• 1983 Boy from Black Bayou (L+R)
• 1980 Reality Blues (L+R)

Collaborations with other artists

• 2001 Superharps II (Telarc) with Lazy Lester, Raful Neal and Snooky Pryor
• 1998 Blues Blues Blues, The Jimmy Rogers All Stars (Atlantic)
• 1994 Good Candy , Lovie Lee (Earwig 4928)
• 1991 Delta Bluesman, Honeyboy Edwards (Earwig 4922)
• 1990 Harp Attack! (Alligator) with James Cotton, Junior Wells and Billy Branch
• 1980 Blues after Sunrise, Heinz Sauer, Bob Degen (L+R 40017)
• 1974 Just Off Halsted with Bob Riedy Blues Band (Flying Fish FF 006)
• 1972/73 Lake Michigan Ain't No River with Bob Riedy Blues Band
• 1969 Wanna dance all Night, John Lee Hooker (Musidisc)

External links

• Carey Bell at Alligator Records
• Carey Bell at AllMusic
• "Harmonica Great Dies at 70" note on passing by NPR
• Chicago Blues Harmonica Legend Carey Bell 1936 – 2007 (Alligator press release)
• Carey Bell Memorial Website