Bill Barrett making the harmonica a primary instrument on a funky soul jazz outing isn't as weird as bluesman Corky Siegel mixing the "blues harp" with classical chamber music. But the result on Barrett's "Backbone" is just as nifty in my book.
Listen to the Nine Winds CD and at times you will swear Barrett is playing a saxophone ala "Sweet" Lou Donaldson or Sonny Stitt. He gets that much mileage out of his "harp." Dr. Lonnie Smith would probably love this session and organist Wayne Peet isn't too far from being in Smith's class. His compositions, like "Bluzo" (just soaked in the blues, man, soaked in 'em), and Barrett's are highlights. "MmmHm" is a soul suite, "Smiley's Dilemma" virtuosic funk and the title track plain rocks. I love this disk.
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