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HARP SHOP

Published January 1, 1997 in Features
Little Mack

Little Mack

Little Mack

Chicago harp legend Little Mack (Simmons) will be featured at the harp workshop at the `Shoe on Jan 25.


When The Toronto Blues Society Harmonica Workshop was pre-empted last year in favour of the “Brass & Blues” workshop there was an outcry from harmonica afficionados some of whom have travelled from as far as Thunder Bay to pick up some tips on the “mississippi saxophone”. Well, have no fear, the harmonica workshop is back with a vengeance, in a new venue, the Horseshoe Tavern and hosted by Toronto harmonica hero, Jerome Godboo, with special guests Michael Pickett, Carlos del Junco, Roly Platt, Mark “Bird” Stafford and from Chicago, Little Mack Simmons. The even takes place Saturday Afternoon January 25, 1996, 2-5pm. TBS Board Member Al Lerman just finished producing a CD for Little Mack and shares his experience working with this formidable harpman.

Chicago singer/harp player Little Mack Simmons has just recorded an album here with a backing band consisting of some of Toronto’s finest blues musicians. The result is a CD entitled Little Mack Is Back on Electro-Fi Records. The official release will be on Saturday, January 25th at The Silver Dollar Room, which co-incidentally is Mack’s 63rd birthday. Recently back from a tour of Europe (sponsored by Austria’s Wolf Records), Mack will be participating in the TBS Harmonica Workshop hosted by Jerome Godboo that afternoon at the Horseshoe, then moving to the Silver Dollar later in the evening to play with Fathead (plus special guests) in support.

Undeservedly so, many blues fans aren’t familiar with Little Mack. He was born in Twist, Arkansas in 1933. As a kid, he hung out with his older pal James Cotton who years later would blow harp on some of his records. (He related a great story to us about him and Cotton getting a whupping from Mack’s mom because they were hanging out under this bridge and blowing harp all day instead of going to school.) When he was eighteen years old he drifted to St. Louis where he played with the legendary Robert Nighthawk. In 1954 he made his way to Chicago and formed his own band and also worked alongside Sunnyland Slim, Detroit Jr. and Willie Mabon. His wife was Little Walter’s cousin. He liked to go hear him play, but he didn’t like hangin’ out with him. Apparently the chip on Walter’s shoulder led to too many fights and scuffles that Mack didn’t care to be involved in.

Throughout the fifties, sixties, and seventies Simmons recorded several sides for several labels including Checker, Bea & Baby, CJ, Biscayne, and New Breed. He’s played many of Chicago’s legendary blues bars such as Pepper’s Lounge, Theresa’s, Don’s Cedar Club, and the Blue Flame. He still performs regularly at Rosa’s Lounge.

I had the great pleasure of being both the producer and arranger on Little Mack Is Back and recording this album was a blast. We really had a ball. No rehearsal. Just talk the song over, turn on the tape and 1-2-3-GO. I’m especially proud of the crack studio band put together for the occasion. It consisted of my Fathead bandmates Teddy Leonard (guitar), Omar Tunnoch (bass), and Ed White (drums), as well as two blues faves of mine, Morgan Davis (guitar) and Tyler Yarema (piano and organ). Now that’s some band!

Due to scheduling conflicts, we didn’t get a chance to meet Mack until we were all in the studio together. I’ll admit we were somewhat concerned about this, but were immediately put at ease as soon as Mack opened his mouth to sing. An extremely soulful vocalist and a very fine harp player, Mack sings about his troubles and preaches about how we could make this a better world to live in. He’s as comfortable singing a low down dirty blues as he is bouncing through an R&B romp. With that in mind, the album features a variety of styles and grooves.

Mack’s energy and exuberance no doubt inspired all the musicians involved and it’s evident on this album. He thinks it’s his best one to date. Little Mack Simmons is very intense and totally devoted to his music. He deserves much more recognition than he’s received in the past. Hopefully this new album will be a step in the right direction. Those of you who were lucky enough to catch him a few months back when he played in town at Chicago’s already know how good this guy is. For those that don’t, here’s your chance. Oh yeah, you can wish him a happy birthday, too.

– Al Lerman


Jerome Godboo

Jerome Godboo

Jerome Godboo, seen above, does some heavy harping in preparation for leading this year’s Hamonica Workshop at the Horseshoe Tavern January 25. Those who have seen Jerome in past workshops know that the flamboyant bluesman has a professorial streak. He’ll begin the afternoon by explaining the basic twelve bar blues structure, using one of his specially-designed charts. Carlos del Junco will demonstrate how to play a diatonic harmonica chromatically, a skill that contributed to his winning the Hohner World Championship several years ago.”It will get very technical really quickly,” says Jerome. “Then Michael Pickett will come on and bring us back to the meat and potatoes of what it’s all about.” Country blues man Rolly Platt will play a solo set, Mark Stafford will perform cuts from his new CD, and a special guest from Chicago, Little Mack Simmons, will close out the show. Jerome promises “a real show, less talk, more rock… like an Appollo Revue.” A new feature this year will be a second small stage step up downstairs, where Mark Stafford will have various mike and amps available for inspection. Those who wish to jam with the band from this downstairs stage should bring a C harmonica. For those wanting further erudition written information will be available, and our expert harpists will be on hand for individual consultation.

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