In the world of blues harmonica players one name rightfully finds its way to the top of any list: Charlie Musselwhite. Charlie is a blues icon in every sense of the word and has proven time and time again that he is a legend who has stood the test of time.
Charles Douglas Musselwhite was born on January 31, 1944 in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Musselwhite came from a musical family. His mother played piano and his father played guitar. When Charlie was very young his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis, at that time, was a breeding ground for music and for someone like Charlie who had a ear for music and was curious to learn, Memphis was the place to be! Rockabilly and early Rock and Roll were being born in Sun Studio and the Blues rang loud and proud on Beale Street.
Charlie worked several blue collar jobs including digging ditches and laying concrete. Many before him had moved North in search of a better job and Charlie soon followed. Upon his arrival in Chicago he submerged himself in the South sides heavy blues artists at the time. On any given night Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, Buddy Guy and Sonny Boy Williamson were all just waiting to be seen and heard. Charlie quickly made a name for himself on the South side and also became close friends with other budding blues musicians that were of similar age and background. Paul Butterfield, Michael Bloomfield, Barry Goldberg, Nick Gravenites and Harvey Mandel all played the same scene as Charlie. He soon became friends with Delmark Records/Jazz Record Mart owner Bob Koester and even lived in the basement of the Record Mart for a short time.
In 1966 the classic “Stand Back! Here Comes Charlie Musselwhite’s Southside Band” was released on the Vanguard label with Barry Goldberg on organ/piano, Mandel on guitar and Fred Below on drums. The album instantly went down as a classic. One of Charlie’s best known songs “Christo Redemptor” is on the LP and it features everything we’ve come to know and love about Charlie Musselwhite. It is constantly referenced as a definite point where blues and rock crossover began. The album sounds as fresh and exciting today as it did when it was released in 1966. Other classic albums were released on the Vanguard label including “Tennessee Woman” and “Stone Blues.” Other notable releases through the years are 1971’s “Takin’ My Time” and 1974’s “Goin’ Back Down South.”
Charlie played it smart through the years and played his blues wherever it was welcome. Many artists sought him out for his authentic South side harmonica sound that he learned first hand from the masters themselves. It was this open mindedness that carried his career through not so popular times for the blues, such as the late 70’s and early 80’s.
In 1990 Musselwhite joined the Alligator label and released classic albums such as “Ace Of Harps” and “In My Time.” Through the years Charlie has reconnected with his South side friends Barry Goldberg, Harvey Mandel and Nick Gravenites. I have been lucky enough to witness several shows over the years with some of these players and they’re always top notch performances. ANY Charlie Musselwhite performance is always top notch! Charlie is constantly pushing himself to stay fresh and a big way he does that is by finding many ways to fit his playing into several different musical styles and genres. Check out Tom Waits excellent 1999 album “Mule Variations” which features Charlie’s playing. Great, great stuff!
In 2010 Charlie was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. For a short time he played with the band Hot Tuna for a 2011 reunion.
In 2013 the fantastic “Get Up!” album with Ben Harper was released. The album went on to win a Grammy award for Best Blues Album.
His latest CD “I Ain’t Lyin’” was just released in May of 2015. The album shows Charlie in top form and sounding better than ever. Tunes like “Good Blues Tonight”, “Long Lean Lanky Mama” and “300 Miles To Go” are some of Charlie’s finest work! Do yourself a favor and pick up this CD!
The future looks great for Charlie Musselwhite and for the Blues! Always able to bend his style into other styles and other music is what makes Charlie Musselwhite timeless and great. Another thing that helps the man remain timeless is his great character and easy going persona. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Charlie several times over the years and he’s a gentleman in every sense of the word and a class act all around; just a great great guy! He never stops seeking ways to fit his playing into any genre of music and therefore his music will always sound fresh and timeless. I’d like to close with this great quote from Charlie explaining what the blues mean to him: “I often tell people that the blues is your buddy in good times and your comforter in bad times. It empowers you to keep going.” Thanks for the music Charlie!
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