BLUES BIRDHEAD
This is said to be the first recording of the use of the over blow technique on the diatonic harmonica, recorded in 1929 on the Okeh label by Blues Birdhead (real name James Simons). I'm no expert but I think it occurs at 1.08 - 1.12
An overblow is not a "bend", which can be commonly heard in much of the pre-war repertoire, it is a different technique which blocks the upper reed so that the lower one (which normally is meant to be drawn) vibrates.
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Blues Birdhead (James Simons) was a harmonica player, who made a few recordings round 1927-1931. It is said that Blues Birdhead recorded the first overblow in 1927, but some people disagree.
James Simons, known also as "Blues Birdhead" or "Harmonica Tim", is perhabs the best example of how the diatonic harp functioned as a jazz instrument in de early days of that music. His phrasing and timbre are a cross between those of Louis Armstrong and Johnny Dodds, vintage 1928. It is amazing to hear such an advanced jazz concept executed so perfectly on this instrument, and one wonders how it could be that this master recorded only once. Blues Birdhead cut just one 78" for Okeh in 1929.
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