Magic Dick interview

Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast

Chapters
1:01
Where the name Magic Dick (and his Lickin’ Stick) came from
1:27
Lickin’ Stick is a term used for harmonica in some parts of the US
1:46
Mother sang in a choir and played duets with his brother
2:03
First instrument was the trumpet and some saxophone later
3:07
Started playing the harmonica age 21 after hearing Sonny Terry
4:16
Then got into Sonny Boy Williamson and the great Chicago players who influenced his stye more
4:39
The characteristic 10 blow bend played by Magic Dick and advice on how to hit it
6:01
Always had an interest in physics and the acoustic sound qualities of the harmonica
7:23
How vocal training has helped Magic Dick develop his harmonica technique
7:45
Provides lessons, contact details on podcast page
8:14
Studied the harmonica greats as part of his development
9:09
More on how vocal training assisted harmonica playing
9:56
What makes a successful harmonica player
10:17
His deep research into music and producing good tone and how reeds work
11:21
The formation of the J Geils band in 1968
12:00
Plays a lot of chromatic harmonica now
12:06
Commercial success of the J Geils band and dropping ‘Blues Band’ from their name
13:39
Role of the harmonica in the different genres covered by J Geils Band
14:26
How successful were the J Geils Band
15:02
First J Geils band album and the song Homework played on a solo tuned harp in 3rd position
16:30
Second album, and the birth of Whammer Jammer
19:04
The famous live version of Whammer Jammer from the 1972 album Full House
20:43
Composition of Whammer Jammer gives it great momentum
22:22
Give It To Me song on fourth J Geils album had a lot of success in charts
23:30
The band were enjoying success around the world and comparisons with The Rolling Stones
24:34
Monkey Island album in 1977 contained the song I’m Not Rough
26:04
Sanctuary song from album of same name
26:39
Centrefold from J Geil’s band most successful album, Freeze Frame
27:05
1982 live album Showtime, including the song Stoop Down Baby, inspired by trumpeter Roy Eldridge
31:33
The last J Geils band album was in 1984 before the band split up and he took a break from playing
31:56
Started playing again a couple of years later and did some session recordings
32:40
Patented the ‘Magic Harmonica’: which was a forerunner to the harmonicas now available in numerous tunings
35:07
Formed the band Bluestime with J Geils in 1992
36:39
Relation of singing to harmonica playing and singing in general
40:13
Played with the Legendary Rhythm and Blues band
40:36
Recorded an album with Shun Ng
42:41
10 minute question
43:42
Harmonicas of choice
44:32
Really likes the chord harmonica
45:07
Likes to play ballads and iRealPro
45:48
Chromatic harmonicas of choice
47:59
Different tunings
48:51
Overblows
49:29
Embouchre
50:28
Amp set-up with J Geils band
53:10
Amp and mic set-up used now
55:42
Future plans
Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast
Magic Dick interview
Nov 27, 2021 Season 1 Episode 50
Neil Warren

Magic Dick joins me on episode 50.
Magic Dick created one of the all time classic harmonica instrumentals in Whammer Jammer. But his long career has produced so many more highlights than just that.
He started playing trumpet at age 9, and this instrument along with his love of jazz and rock and roll shaped his approach on harmonica.
He was a founder member of the J Geils Band, who had great commercial success for over 15 years. Magic Dick was  an integral part of their sound with his harmonica work central to their output of Rhythm & Blues, Rock, Pop and Soul.
After the J Geils band split in 1985 he took a break from playing before coming back with some session playing and then forming the band Bluestime with J Geils. More recently he has performed in an acoustic duo with Shun Ng.

Links:

Magic Dick's website:
https://www.magicdick.com/

Email Magic Dick for lessons:
magicdick@magicdick.com

Line 6 HX Stomp pedal:
https://uk.line6.com/hx-stomp/


Videos:

Southern Crossing with band Full Circle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEayO6DUn74

Whammer Jammer with Shun Ng:
https://youtu.be/QRygCpiW7mY

So What on Chromatic with Shun Ng:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtM9UGfwLm0

Papa's Got A Brand New Bag with Shun Ng:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxAZ3YyjtPg


Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

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