re: musselwhite album

[BradKava@xxxxxxx]

Normally, I agree, that a harp player's album with too much singing is a 
waste. But, the new Charlie Musselwhite is an exception.   There are two solid 
instrumentals on it, and harp interspersed on many of the songs....but this is a 
really special piece of work, one of the best albums of the year, even if it 
isn't a harp showcase....

The songs are solid, dark, thoughtful....a step past average blues 
themes....It's a breakthrough work...a classic..don't be misled by the amount of harp 
you can download on amazon..

PS: i interviewed musselwhite last week (runs in the san jose mercury news 
next friday...www.mercurynews.com)...and asked him about the minimalist harp 
playing....he said: "There are plenty of guys out there who play too many notes. 
I tried to see how few I could play."

what you get is a lesson in tasteful, powerful playing...(not to mention one 
of the instrumentals in 5th position)...

Usually, I'd like to see harp players sing much less (magic dick, actually 
bothering to sing? please...and mark hummel, man the best thing he does is 
play..why bother opening his mouth when the harp isn't in it)...but this album, 
Sanctuary, is as strong as bob dylan's "blood on the tracks" or the first dire 
straits...or the last few johnny cash albums....or a lot of rock classics...