Canned Heat Harmonica Secret Revealed.

[@ScottSwess]

Thanks for that. Alan Wilson was pure genius. Why did we have to lose him at such a young age? RIP, Blind Owl😢

[@rickycool100]

Yes. Such a shame. Here’s a link to a really interesting interview with Canned Heat’s drummer. He talks a lot about the early days. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/mark-hummels-harmonica-party/id1570061845?i=1000614227856

[@mikes9759]

I definitely agree with you!! What a great band and bunch of guys!! I'm up there in age and I was lucky to see a lot of them live and will never forget it and the times we all had back then. I'd go back in a heartbeat!!!! I'm glad to see people talking about the band and AL. He was amazing!!

[@ScottSwess]

@@mikes9759 Really envy you. I never saw them. But Alan was incredible in so many ways. Pure musical genius. Bob and the other guys were among the very best bands ever.

[@mikes9759]

@@ScottSwess Thanks for responding. I think it was a great time! I have great memories. I always love Canned Heat and turned a lot of people on to them and said they were way overlooked by people!! I don't want to bum you out, but the ticket prices were unbelievable back then. I think the highest price tickets I ever got were for Zeppelin in 77 and I had 3rd row center for 9.50 a piece. DAMN that's the old saying the good old days!!

[@ScottSwess]

@@mikes9759 Really wish I could’ve seen the Heat. Saw others, Stones, CSN&Y, Dylan…can’t remember ticket costs but probably similar to those you mentioned ☺️

[@alleycat-145]

Brilliant playing, great vibrato, excellent explanation/demonstration of the tweaking under the covers Ricky.

[@rickycool100]

Thanks Al. 👍

[@charlesrutledge647]

A Damn good band back in the day. May all Canned Heat Members that are no longer with us R.I.P.

[@Dstrbrdgrnd]

I think only the Mole, MR. Larry Taylor(bass) is still with us.

[@bak-mariterry5180]

​@@Dstrbrdgrnd The Mole died in 2019 at the age of 77.

[@briananderson687]

Brilliant! As a child of the 60's, I love that song, but never fully appreciated the magic of the harp solo -- thank you!

[@glenncalzada1707]

DAMN! I got goose bumps when you played that classic riff from one of my all-time favorites!! Thank you for the rush!

[@sk22ng]

Your playing is superb!

[@rickycool100]

Thank you. Much appreciated 👍

[@SlickNic68]

Thank you for taking the time to show respect and say the name Alan Wilson. 40yr bass player saying that he is my #1 favorite musician of all time. Thanks

[@strikerwoman]

the remastered version of this song is absolutely incredible, and the singer’s voice matching the harmonica always gave me chills

[@rickycool100]

Just been having a listen to it. You’re right its great. 👍

[@strikerwoman]

@@rickycool100 have you ever heard of tash sultana? truly incredible musician, would love to see you translate any of her work into harmonica, give her a listen some time. a wonderful place to start is her appearance on “like a version,” covering mgmt’s ‘electric feel.’ anyway, thanks for listening ☺️

[@rickycool100]

@@strikerwoman Hi. No I haven’t. I’ve made a note and will listen. Thanks, Ricky 👍

[@Mr195357]

You made me want to listen to Canned Heat again. I forgot what a great group that was

[@hallucinatedovens8414]

I didnt know i needed to know this, but, here we are

[@nozecone]

Great playing - impressive how you are able to reproduce Al Wilson's distinctive tone.

[@jaymiepobanz8801]

My husband loves the song and your fantastic playing, great video man!!!

[@walterhartman3275]

now I got that song stuck in my head!!

[@rickycool100]

😆😆 Took me a while to shake it off after I did the video. 👍

[@2dazetake]

I wore that album out,use to come home from school and put this album on to meditate,fried hockey boogie, took me to inner space many times, those were the days,loved that band.

[@alexhenderson8356]

You nailed Al Wilson. Thanks

[@REDMAN298]

I get a happy feeling hearing "On the Rode Again". I`m 74 and remember hearing it on the ol` AM car radio during my younger days. Great music.

[@rickycool100]

I know what you mean. It’s such an iconic song and triggers memories for lots of us. Particularly those of us it impacted when it first was released. 👍

[@elmonte5lim]

That took me back a little over half a century. Not bad! Thanks, man.

[@rickycool100]

Thank you. 👍

[@Chet_Brinkley]

Excellent my new friend, love that vibrator !

[@shader26]

VERY cool story! Thank you for that! I have always loved that song, every little bit of it, all the things, the sitar in the beginning. I have an alternate take of the song they did where it isn’t there, and it’s a little different but I just get amazed at how they got that sound. Perfect tremolo on guitar, perfect sitar opening, and I never knew that about the wonderful harmonica solos…makes me like it even more, so now when I hear it, I’m gonna realize he modded his harp! Love listening to it blasting in my car.

[@rickycool100]

Thanks. What a lovely comment. It is a great song.

[@higgs923]

Thank you! Took up the harp back in the Sixties while living in Santa Cruz, Ca. Good times.

[@petesmith6434]

I have been playing the harp for many, many years…and never figured out how Wilson hit that note. I thought it might have been done with an overdub after the recording session using a second harp. Thanks for a very interesting video…and for revealing the secret! 😊

[@rorygay3529]

THAT WAS GREAT! I've always liked the canned heat version of on the broad again. I also found it startling that they had this huge hairy guy playing flute.

[@rickycool100]

Yes. Bob Hite was a gentle giant by all accounts. 👍

[@progmeup]

Bob Hite only mimed the flute for playback, it was Jim Horn on the studio recording.

[@markmcgoveran6811]

I love canned heat and I used to sing looking for my rainbow when I walked down through the barges at work for 15 years and once in a while like find somebody else that would sing it in rounds with me with an echo and in those big empty steel barges. I can't hear good enough to catch things like this without someone pointing it out to me thank you for doing that

[@rickycool100]

Thanks. That’s a lovely story. 👍

[@markmcgoveran6811]

@@rickycool100 I like the elections over song. Maybe you could do something with that.

[@lorenzoparedes2306]

I was in college (in New England to boot) when Woodstock took place; in fact, some of my college friends went, and they invited me to come along for the experience but lacking funds and not really being into chemistry of those days, I did not go. The music that played included that of Canned Heat, and as I now reflect, it seemed like the popular music of the time would be simple enough to play, but now being a guitar player and singer of sorts, I have come to realize that there was great talent and brilliance being displayed by the various artists then. Your explanation of these harmonica riffs helps to illustrate my view, and of course, there is also a very nostalgic quality added to the listening experience. Thank you most sincerely.

[@rickycool100]

Thank you for sharing your story. I do find the whole history of that time really interesting. You are right. There was great opportunity back then for musicians to really develop their talent and imagination and audiences were ready and willing to embrace what they were doing. Best wishes, Ricky

[@DennisMathias]

This just proves to me that KZbin is a wonderful thing. This very likely would have been lost if Ricky hadn't explained and demonstrated his talents as well as Al Wilson's. Al Wilson blew outa here early but Ricky has revitalized that era by letting us know. Thanks!

[@rickycool100]

That’s a lovely comment. Thank you. 👍

[@jellobiafra2810]

I'm from Detroit (blow the reveille)! Thank you for this *Value-Added* musical moment! *ROX ON!* - Dave B.

[@anthonymichaelhalloates2902]

The first band I ever saw as a 16 yr old kid in 1970. Fairmont Park, Riverside Ca. The hippie thing was so alive and the band was so good. Alan had that cool falsetto but it was Bob Hite that I was fascinated with. He was emotional…soulful.

[@rickycool100]

That’s a great memory. Thanks 👍

[@Cool-Lake]

Great, have gone over 50 yrs thinking I was completely musically illiterate. Thank you.

[@jimmerhardy]

I played for years and was never able to get that Alan Wilson sound. Now I know why, alone with lots of other techniques he mastered. What a freakin' genius he was. He was the transition from southern blues to modern ears. Pissed he didn't get to do more.

[@riptheripper9060]

That was cool. Thank you for the breakdown and having the Hohner taken apart to see the inner workings.

[@jamesruscio6536]

Great stuff man. That proves the masters of an instrument are the ones who create new limits beyond it's natural design.

[@thomasmcfeely8869]

Like Keith Richard leaving off the low E string and tuning the rest to an open G.

[@davidfox5942]

@@thomasmcfeely8869 Not good compare 😄 .

[@thomasmcfeely8869]

@davidfox5942 wasn't a comparison, it was my taste.

[@PIPEHEAD]

If Al Wilson had been the first person to retune a harmonica, you might have a point. Al Wilson was just great because he was just great !"£$%^&*()_++_)(*&^%$£"!

[@YvesPOURRADE]

Really great to learn that about this outstanding Al Wilson solo !!

[@keithlinney7084]

Absolutely brilliant. I first heard this when I was 12 and it blew my mind. It was a riff from Mars, different from anything else. As a kid from Manchester, England I didn't know it was something called blues..all I knew, 'i wanted more'

[@rickycool100]

I know that feeling. 👍

[@keithlinney7084]

How can a kid have the blues in him when it was generally not on the radio, no influencing adults or peers and he's not even in the right country! It's always puzzled me. I loved the Stones at around 7 yrs old but... On the road again! The riff, the voice, the haunting sound. What bit of my brain was tweaked that wasn't tweaked in many others? I'll never know🤔

[@uwalakab]

Great little video. Awesome harmonica playing. 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@ianking-jv4hg]

Canned Heat's "On the road again" is a bit more uptempo than Floyd Jones' 1953 version. Floyd also wrote "Canned Heat Blues" (singing of drinking cooking fuel) That probably gave the band it's name. Check out Henry Thomas' 1928 "Goin' up the Country" (coustic gitr n' panpipes) i love thatn' "

[@davidferguson8690]

Finally, someone to show the world what a blues harp player sees. Tanks Rick

[@johndufford5561]

Wow! Thank you so much! Very informative AND great playing.

[@rickycool100]

Thank you John. 👍

[@liraloo]

Very happy that KZbin brought me here. I really enjoyed this.

[@rickycool100]

Thank you. I’m glad you found my video. 👍

[@kevwright1563]

Thank you for blowing my mind as canned heat did everytime I listened to them..and you have Blind Owl down to a T God love ya for keeping it going!

[@mysteriousplankton]

Very interesting. Also liked the walk down memory lane. Those were the days of the best music.

[@tsfurlan]

How in the world would someone so young figure out how to do that back in the '60s? He must have had a mentor.

[@rickycool100]

I think you’re probably right. Both him and Bob Hite were so steeped in the blues they probably knew some of the old masters and may have had some harmonica tampering tricks explained.

[@Tubemanjac]

Don't underestimate real natural talents.

[@dananorth895]

Dirty tricks!.......from back in the day!. Love it.

[@geoffreyschecht6477]

Alan was my late wife Tracey’s first cousin. I married Tracey about nine years after Alan died. (Tracey and I met while attending the same college in California.) I was a Canned Heat fan from the time I’d moved from Memphis to the West Coast in 1968. I was crushed when it was announced on the radio that Alan had died in 1970. I still remember being floored when Tracey excitedly told me, “That’s my cousin!!” when “On the Road Again” came on the radio shortly after I’s met her in 1977. At first, I didn’t believe her. We corresponded with Alan’s sister, Darrell, a number of times until her death from cancer about 13 years ago. Darrell was a lovely person. She loved Alan and told me that it still felt like he was just out touring for years after his death. Tracey and I moved to Baltimore in 1979. Sometime during that year, Alan’s Mom, Shirley, and his youngest sister, Heidi (a half-sister as I recall) stopped by Tracey’s parents’ house for a visit. That was the only time I ever met Alan’s Mom.

[@rickycool100]

Wow. Thank you for sharing your story. I really appreciate you taking the time. I heard a great podcast interview with Canned Heat’s drummer Fido de la Para. He talked a lot about Al Wilson as you can imagine. You can find the episode on Mark Hummel’s Harmonica Party either via a podcast app or on KZbin. Best wishes, Ricky

[@geoffreyschecht6477]

@@rickycool100 I’ll definitely have to check out that podcast and thanks for the info about it. I’ve always wanted to meet Fito but have no idea how to do so. I really wanted to do that with my late wife, Tracey. I have family photos of Alan when he was younger and one of him and Tracey together taken probably in the mid-50’s, most likely either at Tracey’s parents’ house or at her Aunt Shirley’s (Alan’s Mom) place in Boston. Tracey’s Mom, Montie Lou and Alan’s Mom Shirley were sisters, of course. If you saw a photo of Tracey when she was in her 20’s onward and then looked at a good photo of Alan’s face when he was that age, the resemblance in some areas (eyes, brows and lips) are uncanny. Fito would likely have noticed that had he met Tracey, since he knew Alan pretty well starting around 1967. I was always wondering how Alan hit that “mystery note” as he and you did on the “On the Road Again” riff. I play harmonica (just a bit these days) and know how to tune harps but considering what a Marine Band costs these days…I wouldn’t dare try retuning one for the sole purpose of hitting one note! I’d only try that on one of those inexpensive Chinese harps that show up in thrift store bins😊 (and none come close to the sound of a genuine Marine Band). Cheers!

[@richardcabrejo532]

I did know that could be done,Wow!

[@tonycannon3906]

Thanks for doing this man. I'm actually working on this right now. Just awesome

[@rickycool100]

No problem. Thanks for your lovely comment. 👍

[@Dstrbrdgrnd]

I still have the Canned Heat Cookbook album from 1969, got it for $1 at a grocery store in ‘69. Anyway, I used to see them all the time at a place called Thee Image on Miami Beach, admission was $1 also. I play the album all the time, you’d think it would be played out but it is still as good as the first time! Well I ain’t goin’ down that Looong lonesome road All by myself…. Priceless album👍👍👍

[@rickycool100]

Fabulous story. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes, Ricky

[@e2jw]

Dude! That was an AWESOME video! The history and the technique! Love your playing!!!

[@rickycool100]

Thank you 👍

[@RevMikeBlack]

Canned Heat was a popular band at my high school in the 1970s. Thanks for sharing this.

[@dannyboywhaa3146]

Absolutely fascinating on so many levels! You should be a teacher!

[@MartijnHover]

There's a live version of this song from their Woodstock concert where Bob Hite plays the harmonica, I believe.

[@rickycool100]

Yes that’s right. On live performances Bob Hite would play the harmonica on the song. Al Wilson did it on the recording because they were able to overdub the harmonica part. They were lucky to have two great players in the Band. 👍

[@indiosveritas]

A amazing revelation clearly explained. Thank you, Mr. Swess ! On a side note , I am privy to some obscure trivia from a roadie with Canned Heat at the start of their career. Traveling by bus and living on the bus with the band had its own challenges. Primarily because the band members refused to bathe . For weeks, if not months . Needless to say, the odiferous confines was a burden my roadie friend delt with , apparently without complaint 😊.

[@rickycool100]

Gosh. The every day realities of working on the road with a band. 😆😆 Good job they were all young and excited. 👍

[@thevoiceharmonic]

You mean they smelled like humans? How dare they do something that is normal to our nature!!

[@indiosveritas]

@@thevoiceharmonic Oh , calm down.

[@nikkaria2612]

Beautifully explained. Bless Ricky

[@FreeDanielLarson2025]

First person I've seen do a full explanation on Alan Wilson's technique for this song, Could you do "I'm Her Man" next, I'm not sure how to do the tremolo effect he does and it sounds really cool,

[@rickycool100]

Hi. I've just listened to the track. He's playing a C harmonica in 3rd position, putting him in Dm. That in itself is interesting given when it was recorded. It shows he was a serious harmonica player who really knew his instrument. Up there with Paul Butterfield and Charlie Musselwhite etc. The effect you mention. Do you mean in the harmonica solo towards the end. There is one point when he's on the 5 hole draw and seems to do a warble between the 5 hole and 4 hole, rather than any effect he's producing just on one hole. I hope that helps. If not, let me know at which point in the recording you mean and I'll try again. Best wishes, Ricky

[@AFloridaSon]

Thanks for explaining it. It's been one of my favorite songs since I was a kid.

[@JagoKosolosky]

Great stuff, does anyone have the tab to the entire solo?

[@rickycool100]

Thank you. Follow this link for the full TAB. www.harpsurgery.com/canned-heat-on-the-road-again/

[@JagoKosolosky]

@@rickycool100 thanks so much Ricky. You're a great inspiration and I love how you spread your knowledge around. The young-ish (31 now 🤔) generation appreciates it.

[@rickycool100]

@@JagoKosolosky Thanks Jago. 👍

[@josephfrancis8046]

Thank you Mr Rogers you taught me woodwork at Stourport high school and your teaching me again on KZbin, thank you for all you do, best wishes Joe

[@rickycool100]

Well I never!! Good to hear from you Joe. I hope those woodwork lessons have served you well and you continue to enjoy the harmonica videos. 👍

[@josephfrancis8046]

@rickycool100 well I have my own business in metal fabrication in Stourport, I owe a great big thank you to yourself for the basics you taught me,it put me on the path I'm on, still wish we had finished making that guitar though 😊

[@rickycool100]

@@josephfrancis8046 That’s great. I can’t remember the guitar construction project but yes it’s a shame it didn’t get finished. Best wishes, Ricky

[@adriangiles1437]

Can't play, wish I could. Really enjoyed hearing this. Thank you.

[@michaelsmith8288]

Dude, that’s some awesome trivia and playing!! Cheers from Tennessee.

[@kndvolk]

What a tremendous song. Blast from the past for me. Thanks!

[@josephmartin1543]

Thanks for your deep technicals, that is music history. Canned Heat and Grand Funk were huge influences in that period.

[@fritzozuna654]

Thanks, one of my favorites since about 1968 or 9, when I first heard it! The song's ending is very special too, with the loose sounding guitar strumming sounds that are unique. Thanks again!

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

"Blind Owell" was a clever cat and you are a generous and clever Cat for sussing it out and sharing ...gonna watch "Beat-club" now.

[@rickycool100]

😊😊

[@vonhalberstadt3590]

Thanks. Love that group; love that song. Orémus Y'all.

[@markgrice295]

Lol. Great video! One of my first 45's. Still have!

[@charliehill2290]

I always loved this song, and especially the harmonica playing.

[@felineth56]

Thank you mate! That was nice, yes, I love Al Wilson!

[@lindaellen808]

Always loved this song, because of the harmonica.

[@blumobean]

That is one of my favorite recordings. It is very simple, but genius at the same time. I love the use of drone.

[@TheStainlessSteelRat]

Great to hear that explanation for a magical track by one of the best 60s blues revival bands. Canned Heat are one of my favourites.

[@tubemcg]

Brilliant! Cheers from the Mississippi Delta.

[@lindaward3156]

Absolutely loved me some Canned Heat. Thanks for the memories

[@ManuelSolano-u4r]

That was awesome harping. Allan and the Heat in my opinion were a badass blues group!!

[@rickycool100]

Thank you. Yes you’re right. They were the real deal. 👍

[@robbc315]

I continue to learn new things each day. I had no idea. Thanks

[@S735334]

I had the pleasure/honour to tour with Canned Heat in Australia many moons ago... & I heard that solo every night.. pure magic !!

[@rickycool100]

Fabulous. Lucky you. 👍

[@stevecuthbert8856]

I can hear Alan Wilsons voice in my head right now. I love your vibrato.

[@rickycool100]

Thank you. Yes there is an other worldly quality to his voice. 👍

[@JukehouseBombers]

Thanks Ricky! Always wondered ‘bout where that note came from!

[@piperofsimms]

Wow... you play it exactly as the recording. Interesting pitch trivia. Loved it. Thank you. Tucson, Arizona

[@rickycool100]

Thank you.

[@aussiebaz5363]

Brilliant, who would have known. Thank you Ricky.

[@daveg5045]

Man, that was really cool! That was a gem, thank you✌🏾

[@MovieMakingMan]

Great video. I never learned to play that song but I’m going to try now. Thanks for that great tip!

[@thomasrussell4674]

Great song great video soulful playing

[@kitano0]

I love the way they used the tambura on this song, very subtle but effective.

[@mukageegee]

I am the missing link in a long line of musicians. I didnt realise a harmonica was so interesting! Thank you

[@cyeamaculture8486]

Stumbled across this video by chance.. thoroughly enjoyed it..cheers

[@rickycool100]

Thanks 👍

[@frank7611]

Wow...that's fabulous Ricky...🤗🤗

[@ltcolumbo9708]

What a cool dude!! I felt your joy sharing the secret!! Bless you

[@rickycool100]

Thank you. 👍

[@RB-im5mk]

The coolest. Love the sounds, makes me want to dance. Thanks

[@bobareeniobobareenio2935]

Yes Ricky Cool, I really did enjoy this. Added harmonica to my keyboards and guitars in 1969 and did rather well in some Blues music Bands. Never knew this trick. Thanks. ( although I’m not playing in bands these days)

[@williamtomkiel8215]

and FTR, te audio in my HT so spot on . . ty for the deeets but a reminder of how great some music is

[@igloososa]

That sounds riff sounds so good!! Thanks mucho for sharing!!

[@mistercrud1]

.. absolutely terrific stuff! Fabulous! Thank you for sharing this!!🎉

[@t-daddyo7013]

Never knew or thought about this, but when you heard the song, you somehow felt and knew that was the special, defining note in that song. Cool.😎

[@rickycool100]

Yes you’re absolutely right. 👍

[@gsadventures678]

Absolutely brilliant Ricky!

[@justinkrann7406]

This was the best KZbin video I’ve seen in years, and a watch many videos everyday. This video has made me so happy and rein-stilled hope that KZbin still has potiential and isn’t just a waste of time.

[@rickycool100]

That’s very kind of you. Thank you. 👍

[@VirginiaWolf88]

I remember hearing that for the first time on the radio when I was fairly young. We were on the way to Earth Day 1990 at Central Park NYC. I was totally taken by that song. Thank you for showing us how the harmonica was altered to get the sound. 🎉

[@jimmeltonbradley1497]

Nearly 60 years playing the blues harp and I've only recently discovered that Al Wilson "doctored" his harp for this solo. Thanks for describing exactly what I need to do now. BTW, the Blind Owl is my favourite non-African-American harp player. Little Walter being my all-time fave.

[@rickycool100]

@@jimmeltonbradley1497 Thanks for your comment. I’m pleased the video was useful. I agree with you. Al Wilson is a great player and of course Little Walter is fabulous. He took harmonica playing tova whole new level. Best wishes, Ricky

[@JamJells]

One of my favorites and so grand of you to share the secret. I would never have thought to tinker with an instrument that way.

[@TheOrangeCowboy]

Thanks - great group. Goin up the country - my fav

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

Very cool. I love that song. Now I’m going to switch over to my music and listen to it a couple of times. 😊

[@Frank-in-NY]

Very Cool! You got knowledge and skill! Thanks for sharing!