The Paul deLay Band - Hood River, Oregon [12-1-1995]

The Paul deLay Band playing a show in Hood River, OR on December 01, 1995. Video was taken by Carlos Colina (A Blues Harp Monster himself) and provided to Arthur Moore to share. Thank you to Arthur for helping keep Paul's talent admired by the many Paul deLay fans and devotees to playing the Blues Harmonica.
R.I.P. Paul deLay (January 31, 1952 - March 07, 2007)

[@fleetman5492]

While so many harpists continue to get caught up in trying to reproduce the past, it's always a breath of fresh air to listen to Paul. His unique approach to playing was influenced by the music around him and not an attempt to recreate history. Paul had a deep understanding of melody and cadence that has eluded so many blues artists. That's why you don't hear anyone on the circuit with a style anything like his. He was a great player with a great sense of musicality, surrounded by a kick ass band. The blues could have certainly used more musicians like him. Thank you for this awesome taping of a master at work.

[@geweldlozecommunicatietrai6830]

thanks for posting this document

[@giorgiocosentino509]

Thanks for sharing! I still remember catching him in Missoula. What a show! "YOWZA!" RIP.

[@cynthiacada5406]

I became a Paul DeLay fan when I (we) were in high school, and my sister and saw Brown Sugar at Springers Ballroom. It was in a field outside of Portland, Oregon, and had a cool, lawless vibe. Circa 1968

[@philhewett8560]

So sad he's gone. A great man in more ways than one. Such a unique style and so much emotion in his playing. Highly creative microphone use allows him to produce deep and dark tone with open and contrasting sonics - along with his use of the full range of the instrument - this makes Paul deLay's sound instantly recognisable in the harp world. Thanks for sharing this film.

[@hdguy350]

He still blows me away. I listened to his stuff back in the early 90s. His Paulzilla album is still one of my favorites. Too bad the general blues fanbase (let alone most harp players) never heard of him.

[@paulmartin39]

I have that CD..also every cassette tape they put out. I contacted Peter Damann, in 1999. I was heading toward Phoenix AZ, after catching the James Harman Band. He sent a big padded envelope with everything. I regret not flying up to Portland, OR. To catch up with Paul deLay. Both, superb musicians, harp players.
Loved them ,and William Clarke.
Legends of the West Coast blues.

[@DrDixonBhD]

Paul deLay Smoke and Fire !!! Gotta Love It Y'all !!!

[@ReedBender1]

Love this guy, thanks for an archival gem.

[@wheelharp]

Thank you soooo much!

[@davestephens8033]

I can't believe this has so few views. I arrived from Ashland to Portland about 20 years ago. There were only TWO jams in Southern Oregon, one in Phoenix and one sorta blues sit in but not all blues, in Ashland. The level of musicianship was mediocre, but I cut my teeth and became a blues jam addict. When we arrived in Portland, I found over 22 blues jams that ran all week. I settled into Duff's Garage and Trails End jams, both hosted by major guitar warriors who had recordings. I was in HEAVEN, and I learned to play better and to throw away my stupid pedals because the great tones I was hearing weren't from pedals, but from great old tube amplifiers. The Duff's jam was mostly responsible for me getting into making guitar pickups because I was learning what good tone was and began that journey from my exposure there, and Duff's was also where my first attempts were tried out by the guys so I could get feedback from good players. Along the way, I kept hearing about Paul Delay, but never ran into him and I never went to shows really, except Curtis Salagado once. A master showman and huge talent. Anyway, one night at Trails End jam, we all played really late til around 3am and on the way out, Paul arrived wanting to jam with us. I didn't know who he was, but he was a huge guy and was disappointed that the jams were done. I was so disappointed I didn't get to see him play with all of us and Robbie Laws. He died not all that much later so never got to see him. He was a MONSTER on harmonica, he should have been world famous, and in many way he was, but never reaped the money and adulation he deserved. At the jams there were always plenty of harp players, but nobody really memorable. Glad to find this, thanks for posting.

[@DavidWilson-vq7fl]

Dang, what a monster player and singer...wish I could have seen him play live!

[@roberttemple2521]

Wow, thanks for sharing this, I love Paul !!!

[@HarmoActive]

Thank you for this upload and thank God for Paul deLay! Harpoon Man on the Blues Harp Boogie compilation was the first time I heard Paul. What a perfect mix of great tone, technical virtuosity and genuine feeling. So much to learn from this priceless footage!

[@gaijin134]

Fan f*&kin' tastic!