“The Blues helped create, Jazz, Be bop, Soul, RnB & gospel (maybe a disagreement there) ….plus the Blues had a Baby & they named that Baby Rock & Roll. I’m still spreading the news around, through my music today. It’s like I say, it’s not just music but a way of life, a whole history lesson.”

Paul Lamb: All About The Blues

British musician Paul Lamb is known by aficionados and music press around the world as a foremost blues harmonica exponent, forging himself a place in the history books as one of the greatest players of our time. Countless awards have been won by him & the band. He has sold record-breaking quantities of albums and performed around the world. Having been inducted into the British Blues Awards Hall Of Fame, Lamb continues to bring his infectious brand of soulful blues to his fans around the globe. He was born in Blyth, Northumberland UK, and began his illustrious career at the tender age of 15. Struggling against the tide of local un-employment and economic depression, he took to the road working the club scene around the UK, paying his dues in the time-honoured tradition of the blues. At the age of 20 he represented the U.K. at the World Harmonica Championships, leading to a spell of working with his mentor, Sonny Terry. The following years ensued, seeing Lamb performing with Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Brownie McGhee, and countless other blues greats. However, the need to write and express his own music gave birth to the Blues Burglars, the first incarnation of the King Snakes. As the young harmonica virtuoso became more focused and confident of his abilities, a new band line-up was an inevitable and Paul Lamb & the King Snakes were born.

(Photo: Paul Lamb / All Photos by Paul Lamb Archive, All rights reserved)

Despite his dedication to his touring band, Paul Lamb has also enjoyed considerable success in other musical fields. His unique harmonica skills are constantly in demand by others, like Pete Waterman, Mark Knopfler, The Who, Rod Stewart, and Jimmy Nail amongst others. The BBC have contracted him on many occasions to score and perform various TV soundtracks, and his harmonica playing can be heard on many a television advertisement. In addition to TV, he has also had his music featured in 3 motion pictures. Wherever his career may lead, Lamb has been instrumental in keeping the blues alive. Paul Lamb stands beside a small number of American counterparts (close friends such as Kim Wilson, Rod Piazza, Jerry Portnoy, & Charlie Musselwhite) as an equal in every sense, and as a testimony to the standards that most young harmonica players can only allude to. He bears this talent with both humility and grace as one of the last of the old-school, a true gentleman of the blues.

Interview by Michael Limnios                       Archive: Paul Lamb, 2014 Interview

How has the Blues influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most?

The Blues speaks the truth, the world over. The moment that changed my music life, was when I heard, as a 13 year old, the song entitled “Have you heard?” on the album “The World of John Mayall”. My quest or journey to play the blues & finding the harmonica was the instrument, along with my voice, to express my feelings & emotions …started right then …the rest is history.

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music? What has remained the same about your music-making process?

I suppose I have grown as an artist, in a way where the Blues educates you, in many ways. Travelling, meeting people & being a band leader is a big education. Having to deal with band members, promoters, record companies etc., certainly helps build your character. It’s all what I call My journey in the Blues with a harmonica. Like I say keeping the faith & spirit has always been with me.

”I suppose that the Blues doesn’t really change much. Yes, we move with the times but our struggles are still the same today, women/man troubles, wars, money troubles etc. That’s the Blues …amen!” (Paul Lamb one of the last of the old-school, a true gentleman of the blues” / Photo by Paul Lamb Archive)

Why do you think that the UK Blues Scene continues to generate such a devoted following?

I think the Blues scene in the U.K., at the moment, is actuallyleaning more to the Rock Blues (in my opinion). The Blues has always been & will still be part of fashion, it comes in & out BUT never goes away. For instance the 50/60’s Blues explosion where the artists from the Deep South influenced the British Blues invasion, with names like The Blues Breakers, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles & of course The Stones. John Mayall helped create several British guitar legends such as Eric Clapton, Peter Green & Mick Taylor. After this boom then there was a lull in the 70’s. However, in the mid 80’s my music, with the King Snakes started to come into its own , along with the likes of Otis Grand & The Big Town Playboys. We all had a front man instrument, Otis on guitar, me on harp & Mike Sanchez on piano. This was more 40’s/50’s retro jump Blues that had all been handed down from the guys before us. I still have a great fan base but sadly we are all getting older but there are some of the younger generation creeping in… God bless.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Not to get in the way of other musicians … sometimes …Less is more. My first mentor, the great Sonny Terry told me: “All you do son, is play what you feel & feel what you play”.  This advice has helped me become who I am. 

What's the balance in music between technique and soul? What is the driving force behind your continuous support for your music?

There has to be a balance between technique & soul. You must have some sort of technique, however I believe that a mix of 30% technique & 70% soul, spirit & feeling is the correct mix. Most of the great players B.B. King, Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry couldn’t read music (ie technique) but they developed their own individual sound, style & soul. You can identify B.B.King, Lightnin Hopkins, Little Walter & hopefully yours truly just by the sound & style.

”The Blues speaks the truth, the world over. The moment that changed my music life, was when I heard, as a 13 year old, the song entitled “Have you heard?” on the album “The World of John Mayall”. My quest or journey to play the blues & finding the harmonica was the instrument, along with my voice, to express my feelings & emotions …started right then …the rest is history.” (Photo: Paul Lamb / Paul Lamb Archive)

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of music in today’s society?

It’s extremely important to preserve the music today. This in turn keeps the music alive. It’s not just music, it’s a way of life, the rules are in the songs just like the bible & I quote John Lee Hooker “Blues is a healer”.

The Blues helped create, Jazz, Be bop, Soul, RnB & gospel (maybe a disagreement there) ….plus the Blues had a Baby & they named that Baby Rock & Roll. I’m still spreading the news around, through my music today. It’s like I say, it’s not just music but a way of life, a whole history lesson.

You’ve worked in many different settings, from clubs and studios to open air and festivals. How do you navigate between these different worlds?

Well for me, I started in the Folk Clubs up in the North East of England about 1971. These were normally (as they say) 3 men & a dog as the audience but I have played the 50,000 audience festivals & never treated the audiences differently. I give as much to the 2 or three people as I would do to the 50,000. It’s my job to give the crowd whatever size what they want.

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation? 

I suppose that the Blues doesn’t really change much. Yes, we move with the times but our struggles are still the same today, women/man troubles, wars, money troubles etc. That’s the Blues …amen!

Paul Lamb - Home

(Photo: Paul Lamb / All Photos by Paul Lamb Archive, All rights reserved)