Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2001 22:19:06 -0700 From: "Dane" Subject: (San Diego) Spring Harp Fest
"I wanna Testify..."
I attended the recent "Spring Harp Fest" in San Diego last weekend, and I just want to tell you all a little about it, and thank Harmonica John Frazer, Chet Cannon, and Budd Willis for a terrific event. Not only did they put on a helluva show, the event benefits San Diego's "Blues in the Schools" program, so it was for a truly noble cause!
About the event: Due to John's diligent control of the scheduling, they were able to showcase 20 Harmonica Players in only seven hours. 20 Players! You needed the skills of an Air Traffic Controller to pull that feat off. -And the players! I have only fallen in love with the Harp relatively recently (compared to most of y'all old-timers), so I didn't recognize most of their names -but I will now! Folks, these cats (and 2 ladies) BLEW DOWN THE HOUSE! I took a little recorder with me (not to bootleg, just to prop up my failing memory) and I got enough to keep me busy way past the next Spring Fest. There was some SERIOUS TONE happening there, I'll tell ya! Tone chops, technique, mastery...wow.
Did I mention the "other (non-harp-playing) musicians"? All professional, accomplished players who showed a tremendous amount of poise, technique, talent and STAMINA all day long. (Iron Mike's band was very impressive, too!) One particular non-harp-playing musician was a stand-out: Nathan James was on stage 3 times, and I recommend you all watch for an opportunity to hear him play. Nathan plays guitar with a great, fat, vintage tone and soulful syncopation that'll make you think of Robert Johnson.
Along those lines, Troy Sandow & Jonny Rover were formidable talents, too.
But I'd leave you with the wrong impression if I only mentioned a few of the players - folks this was one very hot collection of OUTSTANDING musicians, every one of them.
Did I mention that the sound was incredible? The sound guy George Pilburn, really stayed on top of it and EVERY musician had great sound (where I was sitting).
This is the first event of it's type I've attended -thanks to a fantastic job by all those folks who worked so hard on it, I'll be looking forward (eagerly) to the next.
