Subject: Re: [Harp-L] new talent deserving wider attention

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Hi Richard:
 
Re your: 
 
"That is some VERY cool stuff.  Is he playing an actual Khaen  (apparently 
a Laotian free reed instrument of some kind) on that song "Khaen  Rock"?  
Man, I gotta get me one of those.  I like the solo harmonic  minor harp on 
"east side revenge" too.

Good find, regards, Richard  Hunter"  


Eliz: I'm not so sure Hal Walker's a 'new' talent exactly, since he's so  
skilled on so many instruments.
 
Perhaps you missed this very recent thread/conversation here between  Duane 
and myself about Hal Walker and the Khaen? I posted a link to  his playing 
on July 5th and asked if anyone else here had any more info  about him or 
it? Oddly enough, Duane Carter was the only person to respond  at the time, 
since I couldn't imagine Hal Walker not being more well  known given his 
complete ease in front of the camera and comfortable stage  presence. He's a 
heckuva good harmonica player as well.
 
So I did a bit more research and found more vids which I then posted.  
(They're contained in the attached post-sorry if it now makes this very long,  
but clearly others also seem to have missed my original posting of his 
music).  The rock music with the acappella group using the Khaen is  
fabulous...and he's pretty much an all-round entertainer on harmonica, jaw's  harp, 
singing, etc. He mentions JP Allen as a friend/teacher in one of his vids  as 
well.
 
Enjoy!
 
Elizabeth
 
PS: I did find some Khaens on EBay available directly from Thailand.  They 
come in different keys. Hal Walker does discuss buying a 'good' Khaen,  
though - saying his was bought in Thailand and that buying them through the mail 
 can be a hit or miss proposition. 
 
"Message: 8
Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2011 14:54:33 -0400 (EDT)
From:  EGS1217@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Subject: Instructional Harp video, with  Khaen 
To: dcarter@xxxxxxxxx
Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx


Thanks,  Duane!

I've done a YouTube search - saw a few more vids of his and  then  listened 
to some other Khaen players. My take on it (so far) is  similar to the  
idea that 'it's the player and his/her tone', not the  instrument so much, 
although at times it definitely has an organ like  sound. Seems Mr. Walker has 
an  
entirely different and huge sound on  the Khaen than anyone else I've heard 
play it for its original music.  


(a traditional player Master Bounseung Synanonh - at the  Smithsonian)


_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDXU_gur-OM_  
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDXU_gur-OM) 



Here Hal Walker  is in a stairwell (with an acoustic singing group). No 
harp content here, just  great sound.  :)


_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGqF2E07XTg&feature=related_  
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGqF2E07XTg&feature=related)  


And a version where he calls it 'the original harmonica'  (although 
according to Pat Missin the Chinese Sheng was 'the original  harmonica?)...I'm  
VERY intrigued by this sound and would love to try out  this  instrument.



_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWP7x4mVJ90&feature=related_  
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWP7x4mVJ90&feature=related)  




I then found a very cool video of Ben Hewlett playing the  Khaen:

_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJLmUPPjBuE&feature=related_  
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJLmUPPjBuE&feature=related)  

(Ben's a well-known Harmonica player to this list). For any who don't  know 
him, here's a previous harmonica teaching vid of  his:

_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufWAAgDwfpk&feature=related_  
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufWAAgDwfpk&feature=related)  


I'm still of the mind that already having 'big' harmonica tone helps  in 
playing the Khaen (for non-trad players)...

Fun to find something  previously unknown and be completely blown away by 
the sound. Within one of  Hal Walker's vids is a mention that they can be 
found  on EBay? 

I'm  going to look. :)

Elizabeth
***************

"Message: 9
Date: Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:09:58  -0400
From:  dcarter@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Subject:  Instructional Harp video,  with Khaen
To: EGS1217@xxxxxxx,  harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Cc:  _harp-l@xxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx) 

I've seen those videos, Elizabeth and they're  awesome! Makes you want  to 
try an get your hands on one of those Khaens. He  has a website, but I  
don't have that address any longer. You could google him  or check on his  
youtube channel for it. The reason I say this is that he  plays some other  
interesting musical instruments. Been a while since I  visited his  site,
guess I'll look it up again for a review.  Duane

-----  Original message -----
From:  EGS1217@xxxxxxx
To:  harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Harp-L]  Subject: Instructional Harp video,  with Khaen
Date: Jul 5, 2011 1:11  PM


Interesting harmonica  instructional video...by a guy named  Hal  Walker:

_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUHZy_8SGMw&feature=related_
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUHZy_8SGMw&feature=related)


but  what really intrigued me was the introduction of the Khaen from 
Thailand  -

at around 7:06. I've never heard THAT sound before and  can't  quite 
believe such amazing music came out of something  which looked as  though it was 
made from  bamboo.

Anyone have any more info about  it?

Sounded  quite brilliant (to my ears,  anyway).

Elizabeth


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