Leader in Blues Harmonica Education

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About the Author David Barrett
Harmonica Masterclass Lesson Series

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NEW:  Gig Savers Series | David Barrett's Album "Serious Fun" | Lick-A-Day Email Study Course
Info: Harmonica Masterclass Lesson Series Levels
 
 

Lesson Series Level 1

"Serious Fun" CD by David Barrett & John Garcia

Click Here for David's CD with the "School of the Blues All-Star Band"

Price: $9.95 (Purchase Below)

Description: Serious Fun is an exciting journey through the infectious grooves written by two blues musicians that shows pure mastery of their instruments.  From straight ahead Chicago blues shuffles to swinging arrangements, David Barrett and John Garcia show how work can be fun, and how the serious work of creation and musical expression can be serious fun!  Both artists show an astounding diversity in their playing, singing (John) and song writing skills, all very much true to the tradition of blues.  With Harmonica, Guitar, Piano, Organ, Bass and Drums, nothing will stop your feet from wearing a hole through the ground you stand on!

Song List: 
1) Serious Fun by David Barrett
2) I Love You More Everyday by Teat, M. Elson
3) Lick Train by David Barrett
4) Pretty Girls Everywhere by E. Church, T. Williams
5) Quiet World by David Barrett
6) Chicago Style by John Garcia
7) Minor Attitude by John Garcia
8) Don't Fight It by David Barrett
9) A Real Romance by John Garcia
10) Feelin' Good by David Barrett

Musicians:
Vocals & Guitar - John Garcia
Harmonica - David Barrett
Organ - Steve Czarnecki
Piano - Steve Lucky
Bass - Randy Bermudes
Drums - Paul Revelli

Recording Samples: Each Sample ~2 minutes each
1) Sample 1 RealMedia
2) Sample 2 RealMedia
    -or-
1) Sample 1 MP3
2) Sample 2 MP3

PURCHASE (click on price to purchase)
$29.90 - CD w/Harmonica Transcriptions Purchase! (Transcription Info)
$9.95 - CD Only Purchase

Free!!!
David Barrett's blues harmonica instrumental "Lick Train" from this album is being given away FREE!  Feel free to copy this and distribute it to friends as you wish.
- Download "Lick Train" in MP3 (2.56M)
- Download "Lick Train" Transcription in PDF (290K)

Material Recommended by the Author to Accompany this CD:
1) Transcriptions of Serious Fun harmonica solos.
2) Blues Harmonica Jam Tracks & Soloing Concepts #3 Book/CD - This is the "Serious Fun" CD minus harmonica parts for a jam track.  Also taught are techniques specific to this album.
3) If you would like to see pictures and read about the making of this album, click here.

Reviews on this CD:
“Tone, ideas, concept; the whole package. I really enjoyed it!” Rick Estrin

“Finally, an album that treats the harmonica like a serious instrument.  From the founder of the West Coast's music academy, the "School of the Blues”, this is a textbook for any aspiring harmonica player, or any lover of well-played, eclectic and don't forget, FUN, music.

Singing? Who needs singing?  Barrett's authentic, gritty harp does all the moaning and crying you need. Seven of the ten songs are solid instrumentals. Did Coltrane need vocals? Did Bird? Neither does this brilliant player who pushes the instrument past what you thought was possible.

His dark Little Walter-fused tones are offset by John Garcia's hall-of-mirrors guitar. Just when you think you know where his fingers are going, his spindly little leads pop right through the speakers and head straight for your funny bone.  You'll find yourself shaking your head and laughing at the same time.

Throw off the chains of assembly-line 12-bar blues and get ready for some serious fun.”

Brad Kava, San Jose Mercury News

"I just received your new CD, Serious Fun, along with all the song transcriptions.  This is a fantastic piece of work that you and John Garcia have put together.  My hat's off to you both and everyone else who worked on it.  I'm gonna try learning every song on this CD, or die trying. Cheers!
Dutch"

"David Barrett and John Garcia supply harmonica and guitar / vocals respectively on this set.  David is devoted to the humble Frenchharp -- he plays it, writes about it and teaches it and his is the main musical voice to be heard, unsurprisingly.  This could have been an academic exercise, with David showing off his considerable talents -- but he also remembers that he is there to entertain, and that some harp technique is about knowing when not to play!  The vastly experienced John was, most notably, John Lee Hooker's band director for six years and then interaction between his playing and David's is a real joy to hear.  Piano, organ, bass and drums provide a suitable cushion for Barrett and Garcia's -- and the listener's -- enjoyment on a largely instrumental (only three tracks out of ten tracks) but richly varied set.  Much of the material can be loosely labeled as 'Chicago Blues' though it ranges from a very impressive solo harp outing ("Quiet World") and Garcia's showcase "Minor Attitude" to a perfect evocation of Little Walter & The Aces with the title track and on the West Coast swing ("A Real Romance") and even an accomplished jazz item in "Don't Fight It".  Definitely a very aptly titled CD.  Norman Darwen, Blues in Britton

"As a former student of David Barrett and an attendee of several of the big and small workshops at the Hilton Towers in San Jose, I am very jazzed ("blues'd"!) about Dave and John's new CD, "Serious Fun". It really is fantastic, and Dave's harmonica playing is absolutely world-class. The
variations in tone, theme, composition and delivery, in the different tunes, coming from Dave's ten hole diatonic harps, are truly amazing. In my book this has got to be one of the best "harp albums" of modern time. Now I have to get busy in my woodshed "copying". Jeff Rosendale