Here is a link to a cool website that has info on the late harmonica great Don Brooks. Mickey Raphael states that listening to and meeting Don was his influence to really get going playing the harmonica.
http://ctmh.its.txstate.edu/artist.php?cmd=detail&aid=207&start=0&letter=
There is a fantastic show on HDNet TV that is a tribute to Ray Charles that features Willie Nelson, Wynton Marsalis, Nora Jones and Mickey Raphael.
Mickey has loads of solo time and makes the most of his space. He is playing Lee Oskar harps in various keys to fit the songs. The songs featured are some of Ray Charles’ best work and as such cover a gamut of styles with R&B as the thread tying it all together. Tune in for a lesson in how the harmonica sounds in the hands of a master.
