Carey-Bell-Obituary

Carey Bell

Obituary

CHICAGO (AP) – Blues harmonica player Carey Bell, who performed with both Muddy Waters' and Willie Dixon's bands, has died of heart failure. He was 70.

Bell died Sunday at Kindred Hospital, according to Alligator Records, which released several of Bell's albums.

"He was truly a master of his instrument. He learned the blues from living the blues," said label president Bruce Iglauer. "When he picked up that harp, it was deep down. He reached in."

Carey Bell Harrington was born on Nov. 14, 1936, in Macon, Mississippi. He wanted a saxophone but his family could not afford one. Instead, his grandfather bought him a harmonica.

He was playing the harmonica by age 8, and in 1956, at age 19, he moved to Chicago with his godfather, pianist Lovie Lee.

Soon, he was supporting himself as a professional musician, playing on the street for tips, Iglauer said.

He met and learned from Marion "Little Walter" Jacobs and Sonny Boy Williamson II, but found a special fatherly mentor in Big Walter Horton, Iglauer said.

Bell was a bridge between the styles of first-generation Chicago blues players such as Jacobs and Horton and the players who followed, such as Billy Branch, said Iglauer.

"Carey took the big tone that Little Walter brought with amplifying the harmonica in the first place and using distortion from the microphone to thicken the sound of the instrument, and he combined that with a funkier, more contemporary rhythm feel," Iglauer said.

Bell spent 1971 traveling and recording with Muddy Waters, and can be heard on Waters' "The London Sessions." He worked regularly in the 1970s with Willie Dixon's Chicago Blues All-Stars.

Branch replaced Bell in Dixon's band, but the two developed a taunting, yet friendly, rivalry over the ensuing years, Branch said.

"He would come to my gigs and surprise me," Branch recalled. "And sometimes, right in the middle of my solo, he'd say, 'Give me that harp.' And I'd give it to him!"

Branch said Bell's style was so unique he has trouble describing it. He visited Bell in the hospital Friday, and while the bluesman was in and out of consciousness, "I got him to respond by imitating one of his signature licks. He turned around like, 'There you go, stealing my stuff again.'"

Iglauer served as producer for several of Bell's albums, including "Harp Attack" – which also featured Junior Wells, James Cotton and Branch – along with the solo records "Deep Down" in 1995 and "Good Luck Man" in 1997.

He said Bell never planned too far ahead, would show up for gigs in suspenders, and had a missing front tooth he never replaced. He had little formal education, and his reading and writing skills were limited, Iglauer said.

"He was just such a sweet, gentle guy, with a huge ability to laugh at himself," Iglauer said. "And he took great pleasure in bringing joy to other people. When he'd play harmonica and people applauded, he just loved it, he glowed."

Bell is survived by 10 children, including gifted blues guitarist and vocalist Lurrie Bell, with whom he recorded the 2004 album "Second Nature." Funeral arrangements are pending.

Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

Carey I know you're now a member in God's holy band blowing on your harmonica.

Wonderful harp player and person. I had the privilege to meet and chat with him in Houston, Texas, circa 1997. Still cherish my autographed Carey Bell album.........R.I.P. Carey!

It was a honor to have known Carey he was a great friend of my father, Elijah Abron. I remember when Carey and his band would perform in the corner of our small kitchen in the project on the westside of Chicago.

Sitting here With Carey Bell's widow, Patrica Dixon, yes Willi Dixon's daughter....we are in Blues heaven right now listening to her Carey.
His Patty will always love him misses him so much but we thank The Lord she has his recordings...Iam so honored to have meant Patty and right away become heart friends.?.
Just want you to know Carey that I'm 63 white blue eyed blonde who has love the real blues since I was 10,,,,?
Blessings
Patty and Sindie

LURRIE, AS YOU KNOW I FEEL LIKE A PART OF THE FAMILY. LINDA AND I WILL ALWAYS BE SISTERS AND I WILL FOREVER LOVE CAREY, JR. YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS. VARIA "VERA" JOHNSON BROOKS LISMAN, AL.

For Carey...In your day your
talent was widely recognized.

WEEP NOT FOR ME


Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell among the wonders of the earth; for my larger self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other side of pain...on the other side of darkness.

Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, a tropical breeze upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart and the innocence of babes in mothers arms.

I...

Thank the Lord for this GIFT of a person.
Bless his family and loved ones and build your ever-loving fence around them.
I salute Mr. Carey Bell and with his autographed CD held up high to see

Very respectfully,
//e//

I loved this man with all my heart. His heart and talent were without bounds. Lurrie, I'll keep you in my prayers.