On harp instrumentals (was: Re: what about song writing)

["M. N." <mnessmith@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dennis wrote:
"Instrumental harmonica music rocketed our instrument to the top of the
charts with 'Peg O' My Heart' ..."

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True enough, though for the sake of historical completeness it should also 
be pointed out that Peg was a hit in large part because of the 1947 
musicians' union strike. Since the union didn't consider harmonica a musical 
instrument, harp players were free to record without crossing the picket 
line so to speak. Peg was cut and released as a single at the height of the 
strike, when very few new records were coming out and people bought it in 
droves.
Regarding harmonica instrumentals, I have to put in yet another plug for one 
of my favorite contemporary harp CDs, Carlos Del Junco's Big Boy. It has a 
bunch of fresh-sounding instrumentals. With traditional harp stylists (i.e. 
a Chicago sound), I prefer songs with lyrics 99 times out of 100. But I can 
listen to Carlos' instrumental stuff all day long. Jason Ricci also has a 
knack for putting together excellent, melodic instrumentals (my favorites 
are "Mississippi March" and "Delta Nova" from the Down At The Juke CD. He 
also plays a crippling live rendition of King Curtis' "Soul Seranade."
MN

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