Paul Oscher
2009-07-30
Iron Horse Music Hall
Northampton, MA

Source: Zoom H2 > Audacity (normalize, track splits) > tlh > flac8 (B+/A-)

Set 1: [58:40]

101. ?
102. bass jam *
103. Ida Mae
104. Juke
105. Little Walter story
106. Mean Old World
107. Freddie King story
108. Hideaway
109. Robin Lee
110. harmonica story
111. harmonica tricks
112. talk
113. more harmonica @
114. Things That I Used To Do ^
115. talk
116. Bye Bye Baby
117. Blues Before Sunrise
118. talk
119. ?

Set 2: [38:58]

201. ?
202. Lay My Burden Down
203. What Have I Done
204. talk
205. Work That Stuff #
206. Sail On Honey Bee
207. Bye Bye Baby (Georgia)
208. Outro


Paul Oscher: guitar, vocal, harp, bass harp, keys

* guitar 'standup bass'
@ harp w/tp roll
^ with throat mic
# with loop track

Paul Oscher is best known for his harmonica work in the Muddy Waters band during the late 60's and early 70's. What many people don't know is that Oscher also plays a great blues guitar and piano. Born in New York, Oscher first met Muddy Waters at the Apollo Theater in 1965 and two years later began playing in Water's band. Oscher was the first white guy to play as a regular member of Waters' band, serving in similar company as a number of great harp players including, Little Walter Jacobs, James Cotton, Junior Wells, Mojo Buford and Big Walter Horton.

After having spent most of his musical history playing as a member of a band (and some great ones), Oscher began performing as a solo act in May of 2001 when he lost his band and was scheduled to perform at an upcoming blues festival. After some careful thought and support from those around him, Oscher was convinced that he should play the date as a solo. As he puts it, "Two bus rides and one performance later, I knew I had found the perfect band."