Carey and Lurrie Bell
Charlotte, NC
Chicago Blues

To harmonica legend Carey Bell and his son, guitarist Lurrie Bell, the blues is second nature. “Carey Bell” Harrington, born in Macon, Mississippi in 1936, was a childhood fan of Louis Jordan and originally wanted a saxophone. Economic realities forced his grandfather to buy him a harmonica instead. He taught himself to play harmonica by the time he was eight and, by age 13, he began playing professionally with his godfather, respected blues and country and western pianist Lovie Lee. In 1956, Lee convinced Carey that Chicago was the place to be for aspiring bluesmen. Almost immediately upon arrival in Chicago, Bell went to see Little Walter Jacobs perform at the Club Zanzibar at 14th and Ashland. The two became friends and Bell credits Little Walter, Big Walter Horton, and Sonny Boy Williamson II-- each with a sound of his own—as his mentors.   Bell was inspired to forge his own style and it didn't take long for Bell to develop his signature "chopped" harmonica phrasing and deep-blues vocal attack. In the late 1950s and early 1960s when gigs for harp players were scarce and the electric guitar became the dominant instrument of Chicago blues, Bell took up the bass.   He subsequently has played both instruments with Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, Earl Hooker, Robert Nighthawk, Eddie Taylor, Lowell Fulsom, Jimmy Dawkins, Honeyboy Edwards, Johnny Young and Big Walter but he always maintained his love of the harmonica.   By the 1980s Bell was well established as a blues harmonica player and has kept busy touring around the world and recording, including on Alligator's Grammy-nominated album “Living Chicago Blues.” In 1990 Bell, along with fellow harpslingers Junior Wells, James Cotton and Billy Branch, got together and recorded the W.C. Handy Award-winning Alligator album “Harp Attack.” Bell's hot playing and deep blues vocals helped make the recording a modern blues classic.

              Needless to say, Bell's children, several of whom are musicians, were, as Carey says, " born with the blues." But son Lurrie holds a special niche; by his early 20s, he had toured (both nationally and overseas) and recorded with Eddie C. Campbell, Eddy Clearwater, Billy Branch's Sons of Blues, Koko Taylor, and his father's own group. The bond between Carey and Lurrie has always been tight with each man bringing out the best in the other, creating music that captivates and entertains. Over the years, the two have released many critically acclaimed solo albums--with father and son oftentimes guesting on each other's records and joining each other for live performances.   Today Lurrie is a regular on the Chicago club circuit.

Links

http://www.piedmonttalent.com/bios

http://centerstage.net/music/whoswho/CareyBell.html

http://www.blindpigrecords.com/artists/Bell,+Carey.html

http://www.bluesharp.ca/legends/cbell.html

http://www.celticguitarmusic.com/harmbell.htm

http://centerstage.net/music/whoswho/LurrieBell.html

http://www.knopps.com/CTCareyLurrieBell.html

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