[no subject]

[Barry Schaede <barrys@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

To any and all who haven't yet had the privilege of listening to
Peter "Madcat" Ruth's new CD release Madcats Harmonicology this
is an album all diatonic players must own.  One of the more
frustrating aspects of being a harmonica player in general has 
been that our music has always been viewed through the lens of a
guitar and blues.  Madcat manages to transcend this problem. 
This is an album conceived by a harmonica player for harmonica. 
The other instruments on this recording conform to the harmonica
convention rather than the other way around. No more square peg
in a round hole.  Madcat's abilities have never been showcased so
brilliantly as on this album.  The multi tracked multiple
harmonicas are a fascinating tapestry to listen to.  One of the
things I especially liked was Madcat's ability to weave snippets
of poplar harmonica songs (John Henry) into his compositions. 
This album ranks up there with Norton Buffalos ~Valley of the
Moon~ or Lee Oskar's ~Before the Rain~ in terms of its total
integration of harmonica as a lead instrument.  So much of
current harmonica music  ends up as almost a caricature of
itself.  I remember reading a review of some blues band on list a
while back and the reviewer was describing the trend of many
blues oriented harmonica bands to be merely "life support systems
for harmonica solos". (sorry for the lack of attribution) Well,
that's not true of this recording. All the players work together
to achieve an incredibly integrated whole that is totally devoid
of any guitars or conventional keyboard instruments.  For a more
detailed review see Phil Lloyd's in the August issue of the
American Harmonica Newsletter.  Madcat's Harmonicology is
available direct from Beancake records for $10.00 cassette or
$15.00 CD postpaid.  Their address is PO Box 4211, Ann Arbor, MI
48106.  This recording is also available from F&R Farrell company
for the same costs plus $1.50 shipping and handling.  Their
number is 1-800-438-3453.  Sorry for the lengthy post, but this
is one great album.  FJM