Charlie Musselwhite

Along with Paul Butterfield, Charlie Musselwhite was one of the first white bluesmen to make a name for himself, earning praise from heavyweights such as Big Joe Turner. His harmonica playing has always been simple and direct -- he certainly has the skills to play whatever he wants, but Musselwhite chooses not to overplay, electing to emote instead. The same goes for his warm and almost casual vocal style. Though a player of hard driving electric Chicago Blues for most of his life, you can almost hear a gritty country influence in his harp style. This is further reflected when he picks up a guitar as he's occasionaly known to do -- his playing has a raw Delta feel to it, sounding especially sweet when he overdubs harmonica.