This issue, my interview is with Stafford-based diatonic player and HarmonicaUK member Paul Appleton. He has been playing the harp for over 14 years now, originally inspired by the likes of the legendary Sonny Boy Williamson, Big Walter, and Paul Butterfield, to name but a few. Paul has since carved out his own unique style of harmonica playing, which can range from raw and aggressive to elegant and sweet. Photo by Steve Luff
But how did it all start? Paul says, “I was given a cheap harmonica as a gift one Christmas. It came with a little book that taught you how to play simple tunes such as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star etc. and after working my way through it, I Colclough was hooked and wanted to take it further.”
PAUL APPLETON By Dave “Dogfish” Editorial Team
What was the next step? “After some research, I discovered blues music, a totally new genre of music to me, and my blues education began. I went to a music shop in Stafford Town called Guitar and Son and bought a Hohner Big River harmonica. Next stop was a record shop called Collectable Records where I asked the owner for advice. “It’s the blues you want!” he told me. I bought a blues CD that originally came with a Sunday supplement that had a picture of Sonny Boy II wearing his bowler on the cover and featured various artists.” With no previous musical experience apart from playing 3 Blind Mice at school on the recorder (remember them?), Paul started to play from ear by listening to this blues CD. “I can hear influences in my playing, but I’ve never tried to copy anything note for note but prefer to put my own stamp on it whilst honouring the original style.” Carrying his harmonica everywhere, and apart from a few lessons from Mat Walklate to go through positional playing around 6 years ago, he has worked it out for himself. “I not only work out a tune by listening to the harp version, but sometimes emulating guitar and fiddle parts. There are many other instruments I borrow from, even the vocalist.” Paul performs regularly as part of a duo with guitarist Steve Luff, possessing uniquely distinctive vocals, Steve harnesses the raw energy of the acoustic guitar, while Paul’s accomplished Chicago-based blues marries with Steve’s Delta blues approach. He has performed all over the UK with Steve and several other professional blues outfits including The Eddie Angel Blues Band in several of London’s top blues venues.
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The magazine for HarmonicaUK
