Charlie Musselwhite - Ace Of Harps

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Review by Éva Csammer

Ace of Harps by Charlie Musselwhite: A Blues Journey Worth Taking If you're a blues fan—or even just someone who digs raw, soulful sounds—Charlie Musselwhite's Ace of Harps is one of those albums that sneaks up on you. Released back in 1990, this record feels like it was pulled straight outta some smoky Chicago bar and slapped onto vinyl (or CD, depending on how old-school you wanna get). It’s got grit, heart, and enough harmonica wizardry to make your ears perk up and say, “Whoa, what was THAT?” The album hops between styles like Electric Blues, Harmonica Blues, and good ol’ Chicago grooves. And let me tell ya, Musselwhite doesn’t hold back when he’s blowing into that harp. He plays with such fire that you can practically smell the sweat dripping off the stage. Plus, the band behind him? Tight as hell. You’ve got Artis Joyce laying down bass lines smooth enough to ride all day, Tommy Hill keeping the drums punchy, and Jimmy Pugh adding keyboard magic where it counts. This isn’t polished pop music; it’s real-deal blues, baby. Now, if I had to pick two tracks that stuck with me after spinning this thing a few times, I’d go with "Mean Old Frisco" and "Hangin’ On." First off, "Mean Old Frisco" hits hard right outta the gate. The guitar riffs from Andrew Jones Jr. are sharp enough to cut glass, but it’s Musselwhite’s vocals that really grab you by the collar. His voice cracks and bends over lyrics about struggle and survival, and damn, does it feel authentic. There’s no pretending here—just pure emotion poured straight into the mic. By the time the harmonica solo kicks in, you’re ready to pack your bags and head west just to see what kind of trouble Frisco might throw at ya. Then there’s "Hangin’ On," which slows things down a bit but still packs a wallop. This track feels like sitting alone in a dark room, nursing a drink while thinking about stuff you probably shouldn’t. The rhythm section lays down this steady heartbeat kinda groove, and Musselwhite’s harp work floats around like ghosts whispering secrets in your ear. When he sings, “I’m hangin’ on,” it doesn’t sound desperate—it sounds defiant. Like yeah, life’s kicking his ass, but he ain’t quitting anytime soon. Respect. What’s wild about Ace of Harps is how timeless it feels. Even though it dropped three decades ago, these songs could slide into any playlist today and fit right in. Maybe that’s because the blues never really goes outta style. Or maybe it’s because Musselwhite knows exactly how to tap into something universal—those moments of pain, joy, and stubborn resilience we all feel but don’t always know how to put into words. One last thought: listening to this album makes me wonder why more people don’t talk about Musselwhite alongside giants like Muddy Waters or Little Walter. Dude deserves his flowers too. So next time you’re cruising through Italy, Russia, Canada, or wherever else this record found its way, give Ace of Harps a spin. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself humming along for days. Oh, and maybe grab an extra beer while you’re at it—you’ll need it.

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: charlie-musselwhite-ace-of-harps.zip
  • MP3 size: 109.2 mb
  • FLAC size: 568.4 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Kiddeio04:41
My Road Lies02:43
Yesterdays5:13
Hello, Pretty Baby3:36
My Road Lies In Darkness2:43
Leaving Your Town3:16
The Blues Overtook Me4:42
Hangin' On3:30
Mean Old Frisco03:45
Hangin' On3:28
Mean Ole Frisco3:47
River Hip Mama4:17
Kiddeo4:41
She May Be Your Woman8:42

Video

CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE - LEAVING YOUR TOWN
Charlie Musselwhite , Ace Of Harps ( Full Album )
Charlie Musselwhite Mean Old Frisco
Charlie Musselwhite Leaving Your Town
Charlie Musselwhite Kiddeo
Charlie Musselwhite - Yesterdays

Images

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Catalog Numbers

  • AL 4781
  • ALCD 4781
  • ALC 4781
  • Al 4781
  • LDR 3318 CH-MU 50321

Labels

  • Alligator Records
  • Not On Label (Charlie Musselwhite)

Listen online

  • ouvir online
  • online luisteren
  • lytte på nettet
  • ascolta in linea
  • écouter en ligne
  • lyssna på nätet
  • kuunnella verkossa
  • escuchar en línea
  • online anhören

Formats

  • Vinyl
  • LP
  • Album
  • CD
  • Repress
  • Reissue
  • Stereo
  • 180 gr.
  • Cassette
  • 12"
  • 33 ⅓ RPM
  • Unofficial Release
  • Promo

Companies

RoleCompany
Distributed BySonet Records
Phonographic Copyright (p)Alligator Records & Artist Management, Inc.
Copyright (c)Alligator Records & Artist Management, Inc.
Published ByCopyright Control
Recorded AtThe Music Annex
Mixed AtOne Pass
Mastered AtDMS
Lacquer Cut AtP.R. Records Limited
Pressed ByP.R. Records Limited
Licensed FromAlligator Records & Artist Management, Inc.
Manufactured ByUnknown (LDR)

Credits

RoleCredit
BassArtis Joyce
DesignMatt Minde
DrumsTommy Hill
EngineerBruce Kaphan
GuitarAndrew Jones, Jr., Charlie Musselwhite (tracks: B6)
KeyboardsJimmy Pugh (tracks: B2, B4, B5)
ManagementFalk & Morrow Talent
BookingFalk & Morrow Talent
Mastered ByTom Coyne
Mixed ByJay Shilliday
Photography ByPat Johnson
Plated ByP
ProducerPat Ford
VocalsCharlie Musselwhite
Blues HarpCharlie Musselwhite
CoverMatt Minde
Lacquer Cut By-LvC-
HarmonicaCharlie Musselwhite

Notes

  • This is the UK and Europe release pressed in England.
  • Other vinyl releases of this album:
  • Charlie Musselwhite - Ace Of Harps - different barcode, US pressing.
  • Charlie Musselwhite - Ace Of Harps - same barcode, different runout, US pressing
  • Jewel case with 4-page booklet.
  • Recorded at Music Annex, Menio Park, CA
  • Mixed at One Pass Studios, San Fransico, CA
  • Mastered at DMS, New York, NY
  • ℗ & © Alligator Records & Artist Management, Inc.
  • All songs published by Musselwhite Music, BMI except:
  • Track 2 published by Duchess Music, BMI
  • Track 4 published by Iza Music, BMI
  • Track 5 published by Musselwhite Music/Jones-and-Bet Music, BMI
  • Track 6 published by Polygram Music/Bob/Bil Music, ASCAP
  • Track 8 published by Happy Valley Music, BMI
  • Distributed in the U.K. and Europe by by Sonet Records.
  • This release is the 116th of the collection "Blues In Vinile", published by DeAgostini.
  • The publication contains this LP and an 8-page booklet.
  • Not to be sold separately from the publication "Blues In Vinile" distributed by De Agostini Publishing Italia S.p.A.
  • Digitally mastered.
  • ℗ © 1990 Alligator Records & Artist Mgmt., Inc.
  • 1990 US pressing with different barcode.
  • Packaged in a jewel case with transparent tray.
  • Booklet: 4 pages.
  • Лицензионное соглашение № МЗ-II/75/2002 от 20.02.02
  • Category taken from the CD matrix
  • Made in Switzerland (on CD face)

Barcodes

  • Barcode: 0 45395 47811 9
  • Matrix / Runout (Side A, label): AL 4781A
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B, label): AL 4781B
  • Matrix / Runout (Side A, runout, etched): AL 4781 A ı PR-P C
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B, runout, etched): AL 4781 B ı PR-P B
  • Rights Society: BMI
  • Rights Society: ASCAP
  • Barcode (Scanned): 014551478126
  • Barcode (Text): 0 14551-4781-2 6
  • Matrix / Runout (Mirrored): AL-4781 X6510H
  • Mastering SID Code: IFPI L531
  • Matrix / Runout (Runout Etched Side A): LPBI - ACE A -LvC- MPO® 19 147561
  • Matrix / Runout (Runout Etched Side B): MPO® 19 147560 -LvC- LPBI - ACE B2
  • Rights Society: SIAE
  • Barcode: 014551478140
  • Barcode: 0208314724207
  • Barcode: 1455147811
  • Barcode: 045395478119
  • Barcode (Side A, Runout): AL 4781 A
  • Barcode (Side B, Runout): AL 4781 B
  • Matrix / Runout: LDR 3318 CH-MU 50321
  • Matrix / Runout (Mirrored): AL-4781 S0129C
  • Rights Society (Tracks 1 to 5, 7 to 10): BMI
  • Rights Society (Track 6): ASCAP
  • Barcode (String): 014551478119
  • Barcode (Text): 0 14551-4781-1 9
  • Matrix / Runout (Side A runout etched): A̶L̶ ̶9̶7̶8̶1̶ ̶A̶ AL- 4781-A DMS¢ HUB
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B runout etched): A̶L̶ ̶9̶7̶8̶1̶ ̶B̶ AL- 4781-B HUB
  • Barcode: 045395478126
  • Rights Society (Tracks 1, 3-7, 9): Copyright Control
  • Rights Society (Track 2): Carlin Music Corp.
  • Rights Society (Track 8): Munnycroft Ltd
  • Matrix / Runout: ICM K030901 ALCD 4781 1 1 3 0 3 1 7
  • Barcode: 0 14551-4781-2 6
  • Matrix / Runout: AL-4781 S0126C

About Charlie Musselwhite

ladda ner album Charlie Musselwhite - Ace Of Harpsdescargar álbum Charlie Musselwhite - Ace Of Harpslast ned album Charlie Musselwhite - Ace Of Harpslataa albumi Charlie Musselwhite - Ace Of Harpsbaixar álbum Charlie Musselwhite - Ace Of Harpstélécharger l'album Charlie Musselwhite - Ace Of Harps
American blues-harp player, guitarist, vocalist and bandleader, born January 31, 1944 in Kosciusko, Mississippi and married to .

Real Name

    • Charles Douglas Musselwhite

Name Vars

  • C. D. Musselwhite
  • C. Musselwhite
  • Charles Musselwhite
  • Charles Musslewhite
  • Charley Musselwhite
  • Charley Musselwhite Blues Band
  • Charley Musselwhite's South Side Band
  • Charley Musslewhite
  • Charlie
  • Charlie D. Musselwhite
  • Charlie Mussel White
  • Charlie Musslewhite
  • Memphis Charlie
  • Memphis Charlie Musselwhite
  • Mussel White
  • Musselwhite

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know? Charlie Musselwhite's *Ace of Harps* album, released in 1990, is a blues masterpiece that showcases his incredible harmonica skills. It blends electric and regional blues styles, taking listeners on a journey through raw emotion and gritty storytelling. The album was released across multiple countries, from the USA to Russia, and even features tracks with soulful vocals and haunting harmonica solos that feel like they’re straight out of a smoky Chicago blues club. Plus, it’s got some serious talent behind it—like Jimmy Pugh on keyboards and Tommy Hill on drums. Pretty cool, right?

Comments

davidstorertheexplorer
davidstorertheexplorer
2025-03-16
Like that Boomerang harmonica on the cover? eezyreeder has them!
theodoreshoebat
theodoreshoebat
2025-03-15
Listen to Mean Old Frisco played and sung by Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee
srijibdas16
srijibdas16
2025-03-14
muy bueen video de blues vive en nuestros corazones
s oyeah´,´,´,´,´,´,´desde mexico saludos a quien subio este video,
carlosgarciaberrocal
carlosgarciaberrocal
2025-03-14
Great!
bluthebunny122
bluthebunny122
2025-03-13
top notch.
miaymiyul
miaymiyul
2025-03-12
was super lucky to see him and his band at the chicken festival in springfield oregon!!. sad that he plays these dinky gigs cause he needs the cash. i hope at least he got a free chicken dinner... he is so fine.a once in a lifetime treat. we were maybe 10 feet away. my friend's precocious 13 year old turned us on to charlie- he was closest to the stage and said he got spit from charlie playing his harp on him occasionally. like b eing annointed we teased him. he didn't mind at all.
tonyviloteau5
tonyviloteau5
2025-03-12
Le BLUES qu'on aime avec un grand homme à L'harmonica qui la représente parfaitement
??
silatasoglu
silatasoglu
2025-03-11
Rod stewart beyond the seaÑ
angelikajoyceandal
angelikajoyceandal
2025-03-10
Absolument genial
indiacakesstore
indiacakesstore
2025-03-10
Truth !!! ❤️??
crookedsticksdrawstraightlines
crookedsticksdrawstraightlines
2025-03-09
Charlie
???
elecnoavar
elecnoavar
2025-03-09
Yep...he is the man!
sales1807401703
sales1807401703
2025-03-09
a real one
maidofnorway
maidofnorway
2025-03-09
Steve stills
sanlivre
sanlivre
2025-03-09
just one thing to say,this is is Brilliant yay ah!!
rkezen
rkezen
2025-03-09
Milestone
bestparentingadvicetips
bestparentingadvicetips
2025-03-09
There was a time when I said I can play harp with any other instrument, and any kind of music.
And I think I could.
Having taken a 30 year hiatus from music, I bought drums, amps, a mixer, and some new harps ( many of the old ones still worked fine), and I acted like a kid again.
Even have videos on the you tube.
Now the drums are gone, but I still have the harps and finding this guy ( surprised I never heard him before) , has renewed my urge to play.
Thank you