Telarc's first Superharps release was so well received that they have decided to follow it up with the release of Superharps II. While the first volume featured James Cotton, Billy Branch, Charlie Musselwhite and Sugar Ray Norcia, Superharps II features two Chicago harp legends in Carey Bell and Snooky Pryor and two Louisiana harp masters in Lazy Lester and Carey Bell. Supported by a band including Kid Bangham (guitar), Anthony Geraci (piano), Michael "Mudcat" Ward (Upright Bass) and Per Hanson (drums), Telarc has put together a supporting cast of some of New England's finest musicians to back the four harpists.
Carey Bell kicks things off with Muddy Water's "Walking Thru The Park". Schooled by Big Walter Horton, Sonny Boy Williamson II and Little Walter, Carey Bell has the Chicago blues sound down cold. Bell is also the featured on covers of Water's "She's Nineteen Years Old" and Junior Wells' "What My Mama Told Me".
Snooky Pryor has blown harp on the Chicago scene for over 50 years and his performances of "Keyhole In Your Door", "Let Your Hair Down" and "Shake My Hand" are just what you would expect from Snooky who has released out several solid recordings over the last few years.

Next up from Baton Rouge is Raful Neal. Perhaps best known for producing one of the most talented families in the blues, Neal is also a great vocalist and harmonica player who has been sadly under recorded. Neal performances on the record include the slow blues of "I Miss You Baby" and "Starlight Diamond" a true swamp classic featuring Neal's laidback vocals and harp over Bangham's tremoloed guitar.

Speaking of laidback, the final performer on the disc is the great Lazy Lester, who helped define Louisiana swamp blues with his recordings on Excello. Every time I hear Lazy Lester, I can't keep from smiling as his music is so infectious and his recordings of "Strange Things Happen", "I Made Up My Mind" and "I Hear You Knockin'" are no exception.

The album closes with "Harp to Harp" a slow blues on which each performer takes a solo after a wicked intro from Kid Bangham. The pairing of two Chicago artists with the two Louisiana players was an inspired choice, as it makes for a more diverse album that will appeal to all blues harp fans. Highly recommended.
- Barry Gober

March 2001 Southwest Blues