"Celticana"

Latest cd with Steve Crawford

Welcome

To the website of professional harmonica player & musician Spider MacKenzie

Spider is no regular harmonica player but rather one who has a unique technical ability matched with an inimitable talent to convey the emotion of a song. Hence it's not surprising numerous, notable artists are keen to choose to work with him.  Whether it's in Europe with his long term musical duo, companion Steve Crawford, Perrier award winning singer Niki King or across the pond with former Texas Musician of the Year Chris Gage or Grammy nominated artist Bill Kirchen in the United States of America.  Spider's music is "sure to touch your heart and bring a smile to your face" to quote Sugar Blue the Grammy Award winner who has played with legends from Willie Dixon to The Rolling Stones.

After hearing Steve and Spider's recent album "Celticana" Charlie McCoy the most recorded harmonica player in history, Grammy-winning, Country Music Hall of Fame legend wrote "Spider's harmonica is a high spot. Put an ear on this one. You'll be glad you did"

A quick word from Spider -  Thank you for taking the time to visit my website. You will find information on projects and shows I'm involved with. It's April 2021 as I write this and I hope to be performing live again as soon it's safe.  

In the mean time I have been kept busy recording at home for a number of projects. Session playing on some lovely tracks for friends. I will keep you posted when their CDs, records come out.

I'd love it if you would join my mailing list so we can keep in touch. 

I'd also like to express my gratitude to the following people.  

Thanks to Sutherland Trading for their support and supply of my Hohner Harmonicas & to Valerie Fremin for the great photography. 

Finally thank you to all the press, musicians and friends for all the lovely comments.  

Hope to see you soon. 
  
Love & hugs 
  
Spider 
Xx 

 

Let's stay in touch

I'd love to stay in touch. So please do join my mailing list

What revered musicians & press say 


“Colin MacKenzie 'Spider' as we all know & love him, is one of the finest musicians I have ever had the privilege of playing live & recording with Class A on both counts. I can assure you Awesome Bluesman but then there is this other whole side to Spider that makes him stand out, jazz & almost Avant Garde area he can inhabit that is way off the map, both articulate and free spirit combined, but also he takes direction great, so fantastic to work with if you are a songwriter, he also knows when to back off, which is a weakness for many musicians of all levels or genres But more important, Spider is a great man too! Solid as they come and a great friend to have I am proud to call him a brother in music.”
Martin George Stephenson Ex Capitol & London Records recording artist
 
“Colin “Spider” MacKenzie is a wonderful player, he has a fluid, clean and sensitive style that is sure to touch your heart and bring a smile to your face, listen and enjoy!!”
 Sugar Blue - Grammy Award winner who has played with legends from Willie Dixon to The Rolling Stones


"Spider is simply one of the best harp players there is. He's also one of the best musicians I've ever had the pleasure of working with. When we play songs together, he has an innate ability to remain sensitive to what the songs need. Whether that's creating some luscious soundscape, providing a nice groove or finding the right spaces, he always manages to know what serves the song best. But when it comes to taking a solo, then all I can do is sit back and gaze in wonder at what he can achieve with his instrument! And if this wasn't enough to make a great musical partner, then he's also one of the finest human beings I've ever known!"
Steve Crawford - singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist, session musician

“Spider – a polite, unassuming guy… Until you put a harmonica in his hand. At that point he’ll take a song, and make you feel it. In your bones.” – Texas Lifestyle Magazine

“Spider is clearly a virtuoso harmonica player” - Blues Matters magazine

"I just listed to "Celticana: with Spider MacKenzie and Steve Crawford. The CD is full of great songs, great vocals and Spider's harmonica is a high spot. Put an ear on this one. You'll be glad you did"  - Charlie McCoy most recorded harmonica player in history, Grammy-winning, Country Music Hall of Fame legend. 

 “the contributions of the harp player were very tasteful (keys were good too, but I thought the harp was excellent"  Bruce Iglauer legendary CEO/Founder of Alligator Records


“Intensely moving harmonica sound” 
“Massively exciting naturally talented harmonica player” 
“I would cheerfully walk 100 miles over hot coals to feel some of his music”  - Blueprint - magazine

“I still prefer the sensitive virtuosity and imagination of Aberdeen’s junior James Cotton, Spider MacKenzie”  - The Sunday Times

“Harmonica virtuoso”, “Star of bloos moothie”  - The Aberdeen Evening Express

“I bet you think every town has a blues harp player this good. They don’t and we should cherish him.”
The Aberdeen Press & Journal

“Top class music from Scotland” - WAZ newspaper, Germany

“Informed harmonica playing, adding atmosphere and filling spaces where spaces need filling. A formidable player who knows when to hold back and when to dive deep into a solo” - Northern Sky

“Very talented Scottish harmonica player”  - Roots Time Belgium 

Shows & tours

Good Guy Hank & special guest Spider MacKenzie

(BST, UTC+01) (BST, UTC+01)

The Blue Lamp, 121 Gallowgate, AB25 1BU, Aberdeen

From the harmonious Heartlands of Scotland and the musical metropolis of Melbourne, Australia, Good Guy Hank bring all of the heartbreak, joy and everything in-between with blistering bluegrass country guitar, lightning mandolin, virtuoso fiddle playing and three part harmonies galore! Influences range from Hank Williams, Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe to Gram Parsons, Gillian Welsh, Drive by Truckers and many more. Tonight they are joined by Aberdeen's own harmonica virtuoso Spider MacKenzie.
It was true serendipity when Spider met these wonderful musicians on a ferry to the western Isle of Lewis. He was on his way to visit family on the Isle and just happened to sit next to them. Conversation started and within a short time they realised they had much in common. Within 30 mins to the delight of the passengers, they decided to play together on deck. Spider then sat in at two shows on the Island. “It was so much fun I decided I had to setup a show in Aberdeen. The Lampie didn’t have any space downstairs however we have managed to book the cosy room upstairs. We have limited space and so limited tickets. So please buy soon to ensure you can join us” Spider said.
Tickets are priced £12 before October & £14 after Doors open at 7.30pm and will start at 8.00pm The intimate show will be held in the cosy upstairs Blue Lamp room so ticket numbers are very limited. This show is being promoted jointly by Almost Blue Promotions & Blue Spider Promotions.

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