Richard "Can" Harney

Richard "Hacksaw" Harney (July 16, 1902 – December 25, 1973) was an American Delta blues guitarist and pianist. He first entered a recording studio with his brother Maylon in 1928, to wax guitar work backing for separate tracks by Pearl Dickson and Walter Rhodes. However, Harney recorded rarely, until his belated solo album, Sweet Man (1972).

According to Robert Palmer, Harney was "... an exceptional technician whose busy, dense finger-picking style was far removed from the more heavily rhythmic playing of the Patton-House school and who was regarded by many musicians as the best guitarist in the Delta."

The loss of his murdered brother, a speech impediment and naturally shy disposition, were all factors in preventing Harney from achieving fame. He spent most of his working lifetime as an itinerant piano tuner and repairer.

Birth and Death Data: Born July 16, 1902, Died December 25, 1973

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1927

Roles Represented in DAHR: guitar

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia W145357 10-in. 12/10/1927 She's a gal of mine Walter Rhodes Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with 2 guitars and piano accordion instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia W145358 10-in. 12/10/1927 The crowing rooster Walter Rhodes Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with 2 guitars and piano accordion instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia W145359 10-in. 12/10/1927 Leaving home blues Walter Rhodes Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with 2 guitars and piano accordion instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia W145360 10-in. 12/10/1927 Left my baby blues Walter Rhodes Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with 2 guitars and piano accordion instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia W145369 10-in. 12/12/1927 High yellow blues Pearl Dickson Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with 2 guitars instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia W145370 10-in. 12/12/1927 Twelve pound daddy Pearl Dickson Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with 2 guitars instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia W145371 10-in. 12/12/1927 Little Rock blues Pearl Dickson Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with 2 guitars instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia W145372 10-in. 12/12/1927 Guitar rag Pearl Dickson Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with 2 guitars instrumentalist, guitar  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Harney, Richard "Can"," accessed April 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106848.

Harney, Richard "Can". (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106848.

"Harney, Richard "Can"." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106848

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