blues harp blowout! - Jason Ricci and Adam Gussow (2005)

[@HoofHearted6]

Holy smoke the joint is jumpin'!!!!!

[@ABBadmouth]

I'm three + years late hearing this, but have had the good fortune of seeing you both live. I am a bit torn as to a "winner". I think I win because I heard both of You. P.s. I am a 52 years player

[@brianking4469]

Well Jason Ricci is Jason Ricci and Adam you have your own sound - Bravo to you both!

[@markieproductions22]

Adam held his own with another great harp player! Both are awesome! Love it! ❤

[@abdullahalshehri5462]

To my eyes both you guys are the winner’s 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@DDH40228]

2021 and this blowout still is one of the best

[@aimlessintopeka]

Over two decades ago Jason Ricci played small venues here in Kansas. I knew he was awesome then. 🎶 What a joy to listen to Adam & Jason together.

[@RICARDOGARCIA-cm5vx]

Both of you are amazing...congrats...love your music...

[@corvuscrack9505]

This is a Monument ..it is just a major ode to inspired Harmonicas that had ever been heard before I am seriously stuned

[@xldh44]

Words can't do justice... you both are phenomenal!!

[@mineblock9024]

Absolute masters. Entertaining players, great teachers and pure pleasure to listen to.

[@rhondamilash3367]

Both are fantastic...but for me Adam wins this.

[@norfolknwhey4787]

Ricci sounds a lot like a clarinet when he’s playing those swing runs… amazing tone from you both. It’s like comparing apples and oranges.

[@saschaschmidt1121]

This two men are Legends! Love them both as my teachers on this crazy little instrument, thank you forever, Mr. Adam & Jason Ricci!

[@pamalacrabtree1727]

Two amazing talented harmonica players.

[@marybethhempel9101]

I feel fortunate to have known Jason personally! He is such a talented harmonica player. Thank you Adam and Jason for all your playing...love you!! Thank you for sharing this Adam...I am inspired now to get back to my harmonica playing....I will be listening to your instructional videos now!! :)

[@WarrenFloyd-xr2js]

Cannot say thanks enough, Warren Floyd 😎👍🎶🎵🎶

[@bloggalot4718]

Many thanks for the amazing playing and keeping the blues alive.

[@Dan-ss2vo]

Adam is the Stevie Ray Vaughn of harmonica and Jason is Jimi Hendrix. (imho)

[@dibernardorich]

Daniel Hiatt with all due respect it'd be the other around, as Jason stated in the performance that he wouldn't be doing what he does if weren't for Adam. As Jimi was a inspiration to Stevie... Either way these 2 dudes are extremely proficient harpists that are in a league of their own...

[@Dan-ss2vo]

Thanks RIchard, I certainly agree with the last sentence of your comment. When I shared my opinion it was not based on anything Jason said or who influenced who. It was about the way I hear their playing styles and how they compare to the way I here the playing styles of SRV and Jimi.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

I'm happy with that comparison. I've always thought that the greatest and most original part of Stevie's playing was his rhythm playing. There he completely leaves behind his debt to Albert King and Jimi Hendrix. It's HIS sound, and nobody has really been able to equal it. (I'm talking, for example, about "Cold Shot" and "Pride and Joy").

[@william123-asdf]

This battle is pure awesomeness. While Jason Ricci sounds like the better technical player in this showdown, Adam brings the superior, contagious groove into the playing, which eventually becomes the reprise, and both harp players play it together over and over until the end... So I disagree with Adam's assessment of who won.

[@guitardizzle1]

This is the BEST

[@kylewhitehead1684]

I dunno, man. Jason Ricci is an insane player but with mister Gussow you can hear Mister Satan in his playing. All those years of hard work and comradary have really infused his playing with Mister Satan's driving groove that give it a feel like no other.

[@voodoo7953]

Two Amazing Harmonica player’s!!

[@jonathangaileymusic]

This is absolutely amazing! What an inspiration you both are to us players!

[@rosstones1]

Two of my favorites. The big contrast for me is Adam laying back time-wise and sitting in a very nice pocket with the shuffle and Jason playing a bit more front of the beat.

[@sciexp]

Mano a mano... Yeahh... Thanks for sharing this... Great...

[@guitardizzle1]

The words Jason said about Gussow… man. So true. Gotta be a weird feeling, knowing for 100% fact that your legacy and name will be forever known. What a legend.

[@skutering]

Great post, Thanks. Jason demonstrates the importance of learning your scales. Wow what a session. Thanks again for the post.

[@christopherplatt3887]

We are the winners because we get to listen to this!

[@pamalacrabtree1727]

@jasonricci excellent talent.

[@robertmcpheron8489]

I really like this tune thanks again Mr. Gussow

[@DrSid42]

Wow, the rhythm section rocks too !

[@eDartsNet]

Outstanding!

[@sk22ng]

Awesome playing by both of you!

[@benaycock1646]

Awesome jazzy line at 8:26!! Great comeback to Jason's flashy trills! Such a fun cutting session. Thanks for uploading!

[@stephenbouchelle7706]

Adam, this is definitely a win/win.

[@olmen375]

Love the Swing of Gussow! Love the Roar of Ricci!!

[@Tanglangfa]

You're both amazing and the rhythm section is great as well. Thanks for posting!!!

[@florentvauxion3664]

Killer playing for both of them !!! Listen to the audience ! That's all !! THANK YOU GUYS !!!!!

[@AdamWestUS]

Both of you are my number players forever!

[@marcelozuniga4780]

WOW ! La media dupla , excelentes armonicistas , me encantan!!

[@xenorasmusson2462]

What a treat to hear the two of you together -- and from 12 years ago at this point!

[@biji48]

my harmonica playing journey is influenced by the both of them. watched all of their videos from the beginning. great to hear them playing together mano a mano.

[@onlybugwit]

Nothing to choose between you both,,,,,, amazing,, Gussie at his best

[@ttenorio6322]

The best JAM I've ever heard. So amazing!!! Outliers you both.

[@dirkyow4789]

Thanks for sharing that upload and more importantly the love and dedication for teaching!

[@stilesthissell]

The greats going at it!

[@narfmaster007]

Both Mr Ricci and Gussow have been my inspiration since I started playing harp 2 years ago! I love listening to this XD

[@MeteCanKarahasan]

This is sentimental stuff Mr. Gussow. It might be a harpist's pride speaking, but you both sound unique and not at all comparable.

[@corvuscrack9505]

Extremly good combination...

[@oliversteffensen5498]

You guys are wonderful ❤🙏🏻

[@timessquarerecordscom1469]

Jason is fast but you guys are equal just my opinion...Thanks for sharing...unreal- I think your days with Sterling is a big edge you have.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

See, I can hear all the licks that he's doing--that he invented out of whole cloth--that I either can't do or never thought of doing. I also hear his precision and my own (at points) slight lack of precision. And I hear the fact that I'm scraping the bottom of my own barrel of licks, running out of something new. Finally, I hear the fact that he's able instantly to hear what I'm doing and signify on it, running changes on it in a way that says, "I'll see you and raise you." So in three or four different ways, he sounds like the fresh, powerful young guy who knows how to run circles around the master (so to speak) and say, "You just can't beat me tonight." That's what I hear. I also hear me RECOGNIZING that, in real time, and trying to compensate for it--in that one chorus, for example, where I just wail on 45 draw and fan the harp like James Cotton for 12 straight bars--a cheap and easy way of pleasing the crowd, which responds well, and thus at least making that 24-bar exchange a draw. That's what I mean when I say that I wouldn't change a thing. In symbolic terms, I'm playing for my life; we're like two ninjas leaping, kicking, and raining blows on each other--but we're also great friends and it's all in fun.

[@theuntapstep7789]

This comment is super useful it adds a whole other layer, epic..

[@harleyoneal3272]

Im just finding him , but i am inspired.

[@sk22ng]

Nice plying from both of you

[@LibertasVeritatis]

stunning!! i actually learned by you two both, watching your videos and hearing your wonderful playing

[@velosapien]

Absolute shame there is no video for this

[@NYoumans]

I mean, to be fair Jason was playing with his band backing him, which means they likely chose a tempo and a key that suits his style of playing. Adam, you're the king and don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise (Jason ain't bad, either ;-) )

[@thejoritube]

So much fun

[@scotty30300]

Wow don't think it can be any better than this. Jason Ricci is a freak and Adam Is a fucking legend don't know any other way to explain it

[@florentvauxion3664]

I LOVE the Blues, because the Blues takes care of me.

[@stephenkatko3236]

It's not about " who won". It's about two great players with great individualism playing TOGETHER, not AT each other like some of the harp battles ive seen on KZbin. These two compliment each other. Music is a conversation, not a rambling monologue.

[@streetpixel]

Amazing!

[@alfielewis1069]

Awesome Adam what a dual. Shame there is not a video so we can see who is doing what but REALLY who cares, its the best harping I've ever heard. No winner no loser you are inspiring & thanks for your fantastic free tutorials. I'm just starting out but I will pay you at some stage for master classes & then I'll be chasing you for the top spot. Peace Love & Harmony is what you have given the world.

[@brianholloway9465]

Jason is who I follow and go by his teaching but Adam you still got the licks 😂

[@olmen375]

That finale tho, when I think t's Ricci who picks up on your lick and you start playing together like true gentlemen. So cool =)

[@stephenbouchelle7706]

That flipped my lid!

[@mxaraujo]

thanks for sharing, great work of both

[@WarrenFloyd-xr2js]

Holy shit my mind is blown

[@kennethmichaelsnare2223]

What a jam

[@richardoboyd5886]

Take me home!!!! Thanks Adam

[@michaelwoodin5510]

Jason has a different style of playing which i love very progressive but adam you sounded awesome too...

[@crimbscreme8200]

Incredible

[@mohessgangabissoon7377]

The best

[@ddavis9100]

OMG! Fantastic!

[@picturedlife1]

I can air harp this easy peasy.

[@6eemerrich]

WOW! Thanks.

[@Philharpo]

Great!

[@yoschieschmitt1929]

Wow!

[@RobertHarp]

Jason is fast.. But you're the best! I like your style and your pattern.

[@ukaszwisniewski1601]

I'm a huge fan of both of you, but if I were supposed to choose the winner, I would choose you, mr.Adam. Yes, Jason's playing is incredibly fast and complexed, but - to me - your playing is just more pleasant to listen. You got the swing, tone and wonderful melodies. :)

[@allenmahan9393]

Shredding!¡!

[@marknewman8814]

Two masters !! I love the phrasing contrasts . I’ve enjoyed both of your styles that I’ve been able to see on the KZbin channels . And to be honest it’s hard to say that in this instance which one actual bested the other . Jason was heavy into speed and overblows back then so he may have had a technical edge . His style has mellowed quite a bit since then . I also don’t think you were doing much with overblows or overdraws back then ?

[@Gurvtz]

Ricci is being a little bit impatient with that tempo :) Great anyway, thanks for uploading!

[@norfolknwhey4787]

He was battling some pretty heavy demons at that time, so he might have been under the influence that night.

[@argentino31]

..................................no comments.............. more than good, damn!.......please!....ah......so weiter!

[@bb-lr3bj]

Wow!!!! Adam, you're the greatest for everyone!!!!! My name is Ellie!!!!!!! Can you do a song called "Green Hill zone"?

[@billbass9409]

I have five harps and I can't make any of them sound like this. they are good hohner

[@bowtwins]

just keep practicing and working on your technique you'll get there if you go at it daily

[@detlefb.8371]

Sounds like a tie to me.😉🙌

[@mesavage59]

OH MY................................

[@grahamonica]

Tabs please!😂😂 Awesome blowout

[@barnabyflynn965]

The second player is technically better but the first had more soul and got the crowd going more. Although do like the explosive way the second hits the low notes. Still listening. Shit, Jason, the second is outrageous. Now he’s cutting a groove being repetitive, which is what I call soul. Nice ending. Really nice.

[@barnabyflynn965]

Was that Jason with the dirtier sound?

[@danwilliams8695]

Fun

[@michelledoerfler4548]

Gussow for the win!!

[@harleyv1969]

Omg

[@edkittens75]

Ok, maybe a weird thing but, have watched this video SO MANY times, repeating tiny sections again and again to try and "get" bits. It's so AWESOME! But do Adam (or Ricci ) get KZbin hits from teeny rewind watches? Just wanna know because just realised how many times I've watched/listened to this in rewind bites. And how much its given me! Seems wrong for the uploader to not get kudos for teeny-tiny skip backs! Just asking, reply would be cool! (Old guy, so apologies if this is an obvoiues tech-thing!)

[@gonegizazy7]

I know them both and this time my vote goes to Adam, there is just more "soul" there.

[@derekfrost8991]

Hi Adam, I'm a big fan of you both but I don' agree with everything you say. Jason is the king of pyrotechniques, but when you look at what he has in his bag you stop seeing your own goodies. In my opinion you have far more that would appeal to non-harp players, but I dig you both so what's with the competition? If I could sound like either of you - I wouldn't be too fussy which :)

[@J.M.Stigner]

is that key of F with Bb harps you chap's playing (destroying it!) in?!

[@blaketaylor4832]

Are you drinking a martini in your bathroom? That's style. ;)

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

No, at my dining room table.

[@greggmarkowski5203]

Wait?! Cleaned your shorts?? Wouldn't that be a good thing, I wish I had someone cleaning my shorts and doing the rest of the laundry as well. Sounds more like he cleaned your clock. And yeah, Jason's most excellent, and I'll believe you if you say he beat you, but sounds like it was pretty close to me.

[@paulmente679]

Hey Adam I dig the dirty martini also, are you a gin man or a vodka man?

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Tanqueray man. Not really a fan of the dirty Martini, just the dry Martini with a couple of big, fat stuffed olives. Jalapeno, ideally.

[@patcoughlin3104]

50 ft, Semi truck-full of harp

[@billbass9409]

to add, they just sound tinny.

[@norfolknwhey4787]

Huh? They sound amazing! So much raw talent happening here.