Terry “Harmonica” Bean

Drop Dead In Front of Your Door

Music Maker Foundation

Terry W. “Harmonica” Bean was born on January 26, 1961. He is an American blues harmonicist, guitarist, and songwriter. Since 2001 he has released seven albums and appeared in three film documentaries. Bean has dedicated himself to promoting older blues stylings, such as Delta and Hill country blues. Bean was born in Pontotoc, Mississippi where he has remained living. His father Eddie Bean was a guitarist in an electric blues band and he encouraged Terry. In 1988, Terry saw Robert Lockwood, Jr. play at a music festival in Greenville, Mississippi and was inspired to begin performing. Terry became more versatile and worked with T-model Ford, Asie Payton, and Lonnie Pitchford. Terry’s debut album “Here I Am Baby” was released in 2001. Terry’s album’s include 2014’s “Catfish Blues” on Wolf Records, and two albums on the CD Baby label.

The album opens with “Boogie With Me People” written by Terry, and the lyric “boogie in the morning, boogin’ at noon, boogin’ all night long”. “How Many More Years (Are You Gonna Wreck My Life) is from Chester Burnett a.k.a. Howlin’ Wolf and was first recorded in 1951. “I Can Be Your Man” and “How Much I Love You” are two more originals from Terry featuring his low down harp; as he plays with both clarity and nuance. “It’s A Man’s World” is the classic written by James Brown and B.J. Newsome featuring the lyric “It’s a man’s, man’s world, but it wouldn’t be nothin’ without a woman or a girl”.

“Pretty Girl” is another original “you know I love you little baby, you know I love you little girl”. “She’s A Hot Baby” is another Howlin’ Wolf song first recorded in the early 1950’s.

“Drop Dead In Front Of Your Door” and “She Moves Me” are two songs from Muddy Waters, the latter first recorded by Muddy in 1971. “I’m Ready” written by Willie Dixon was recorded by Muddy in 1978. The closer “Help Me” was written by R. Bass, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Willie Dixon, and it closes out this fine album.

Terry has dedicated himself to promoting older blues stylings, such as Delta blues and Hill country blues. “What’s stimulating to me, is people hearing the blues played like they used to hear it”. On “Drop Dead In Front Of Your Door” Terry “Harmonica” Bean has stayed true to his mission.

Richard Ludmerer

Subscribe to Our Newsletter