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 Carey Bell
His
place on the honor roll of Chicago blues harpists long ago assured,
Carey Bell truly came into his own in the '90s as a bandleader with
terrific discs for Alligator and Blind Pig. He learned his distinctive
harmonica riffs from the Windy City's very best (both Walters -- Little
and Big -- as well as Sonny Boy Williamson II), adding his own
signature effects for good measure (an otherworldly moan immediately
identifies many of his more memorable harp rides).
Born Carey Bell Harrington in the blues-fertile state of Mississippi,
he was already playing the harp when he was eight and working
professionally with his godfather, pianist Lovie Lee, at 13. The older
and more experienced Lee brought Carey with him to Chicago in search of
steady musical opportunities in 1956. Gigs frequently proved scarce,
and Carey eventually took up electric bass, playing behind Robert
Nighthawk, Johnny Young, and his mentor Big Walter Horton. Finally, in
1969, Bell made his debut album (on harp) for Delmark, and he was on
his way.
Bell served invaluable early-'70s stints in the bands of Muddy Waters
and Willie Dixon, touring extensively and recording with both legends.
Alligator Records has been responsible for much of Bell's best recorded
work as a leader, beginning with a joint venture with Horton back in
1972. Four cuts by Bell on the first batch of Alligator's Living
Chicago Blues anthologies in 1978 preceded his participation in the
1990 harmonica summit meeting Harp Attack!, which brought him into the
studio with fellow greats James Cotton, Junior Wells, and Billy Branch.
His solo set for Alligator, Deep Down, rates as his finest album. Bell
has sired a passel of blues-playing progeny; best-known of the brood is
mercurial guitarist Lurrie Bell.
-Written
by Bill Dahl
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