Paul Oscher

Live At The Tombs House of Detention, NYC

Blues Fidelity Recordings

Paul Oscher received his first harmonica when he was twelve. He taught himself how to play while working his day job delivering groceries. At the age of fifteen Paul was already playing Black clubs in Brooklyn. Paul was seventeen when he was introduced to Muddy Waters at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. When Muddy returned to New York City he found himself in need of a harmonica player and invited Paul to sit in. At the end of the show Muddy offered Paul the job to be his regular harmonica player.

Paul toured with the band throughout Europe and the states. When in Chicago Paul lived in the basement of Muddy’s home sharing the space with Otis Spann the noted Chicago blues pianist. Muddy became a father figure to Paul and treated him like a son. Paul played harmonica with Muddy from 1967 until 1972 and left the band to pursue a solo career. Paul often moonlighted as Brooklyn Slim as he taught himself to play guitar like Muddy. Paul also learned to play piano in the style he was used to hearing.

Paul released his first album “The Deep Blues of Paul Oscher” in 1996 on Blues Planet Records. Appearing on the album were drummer Candy McDonald, bassist Steve Gomes (who would later play with Tad Robinson), Michael “Mudcat” Ward (who would go on to play with Sugar Ray & The Bluetones), Otis Spann disciple Dave Maxwell, and vocalist Rose Melody. Muddy Water’s died in April 1983.

In the late 1980’s Paul played at Manhattan’s House of Detention, also known as “The Tombs”. The band included Paul, Candy McDonald, Steve Gomes and David Maxwell. Special guest was vocalist Bob Gaddy a notable NYC blues singer and pianist.

Paul opened the show with two fiery Little Walter harmonica instrumentals: “Off The Wall” and “Blue Midnight”. Paul was not yet a vocalist and brought Gaddy to the bandstand where he sang “Flip, Flop And Fly” bringing the captive audience to their feet. Then Gaddy sang a deep and beautiful rendition of Chuck Willis’ “You’re Still My Baby”. Rose Melody joined the ensemble and sang both “Stagolee” and “Stormy Monday” while Paul supplied some stinging vibrato guitar lines.

David Maxwell then took the stage with two rockin’ piano instrumentals: Honky Tonk Train” and “After Hours”. With the prisoners all worked up Gaddy and Melody continued with “Kansas City”, “Steal Away” and the Christmas classic “Silent Night”. Paul closed with his arrangement of Freddie King’s “Hide Away” which he aptly renamed “Slideaway”.

I have since had the pleasure of co-producing (with my partner Jamie Anthony), Paul’s one man show at Manhattan’s Triad Theater. That night Paul played rack harmonica, guitar and piano simultaneously. The acknowledgements include Paul’s ex-wife and friend Suzan-Lori Parks, Steve Guyger, Rick Estrin, Steve Gomes and Paul’s manager Nancy Coplin. Although Paul died of Covid in 2021, they are all working to keep his legacy alive..

Richard Ludmerer
Contributing Editor/Making A Scene

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