Video of the Day March 25 2011: Peter (Madcat) Ruth with Dave Brubeck
Brubeck’s tune “Circadian Dysrhythmia” recorded live in 1974 with Peter “Madcat” Ruth on harmonica. That is SOME fancy rhythm harp work goin’ on there.
Video of the Day Feb. 27 2011 part 1: Richard Hunter, Chris Michalek, and Brendan Power in a Psychedelic Jam at SPAH 2009
Chris and me on harmonicas, Brendan doing a lot of percussion. There’s some great stuff in here, but Chris and me could not stay connected on the grooves–I think that’s why Brendan started doing the beatboxing thing. Brendan and I had two interesting things happening…
Video of the Day Feb. 27 2011 part 2: Richard Hunter, Chris Michalek, and Brendan Power in a Psychedelic Jam at SPAH 2009
This recording took place at a seminar on effects that I did for SPAH at Sacramento in 2009; Chris Michalek was a late addition to the official program, and Brendan just showed up. I was glad to see Brendan. I got upset with Chris after…
Video of the Day Feb 23 2011: Howard Levy interviews Bart Leczycki
A harmonica master who came of age in the 1970s interviews an up-and-coming master. The interview begins with Bart playing a little bit of Mozart on the diatonic harmonica with a killer vibrato. The duet on “Now’s the Time” that starts around 4 minutes in…
Heavy Metal Harmonica With the RP350/355
I had an idea for a song last week, something slow and heavy, inspired in part by Hendrix’s “Are You Experienced”. I put a drum track, synth drone, and bass together quickly, then recorded a few harp parts over it. I still need to do…
Charlie Musselwhite’s “In My Time” is one great recording
I had a long drive yesterday, so I went through my car CD collection looking for something to pass the miles, and came across Charlie Musselwhite’s In My Time. This recording was released in 1994, and I haven’t listened to it for at least 10…
Video of the Day Feb 18 2011: Sonny Boy Williamson, “Nine Below Zero”
One of the great blues harp players, singers, and composers of all time, Sonny Boy Williamson II (Rice Miller), singing and playing his classic “Nine Below Zero”. Just look at the way he takes his place behind the microphone–is this guy cool, or what? The…
Video of the Day February 10 2011: Slow Blues with Michael Pickett and Lee Oskar
Wow is this some great stuff. Pickett’s traditional amped blues harp tone is as big as anything I’ve ever heard. Lee’s various electronically augmented tones are amazing, not to mention the chords he’s playing–it’s not a standard tuned Richter harp, that’s for sure. Put them…
Why I Watch TV: American Idol
I love American Idol, I’ve watched every season. The thing I love about it most is this: it reminds me of how rare extraordinary talent is, and how obviously different it is from less extraordinary talent, and how amazing.
Why I Watch TV: Glee
I love Glee and I watch it frequently. There are a few things I love about Glee: 1) Every show there’s at least one performance that knocks me out. Last week it was “Fat Bottom Girls (Make the World Go Round).” My all time favorite…
