[Harp-L] Butterfield & Original Voices on Harp Today

[Captron100@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 8/30/04 3:46:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Wader wrote:

>.......Del Junco is vaguely interesting but has a paper thin 
>voice. Popper, do I need to take a shot at that empty air bag?.....snip.....
>   If I had to pick the two greatest vocal/harp doublethreats of the past 40 
years I >would without hesitation choose Butterfield and deLay.


  Interesting opinions.  I too learned alot from Tony Glover's book. At the 
time, i think it was the only instructional material out.  To my knowledge, 
that was also before Hohner made any diatonics other than the venerable wood 
combed Marine Band.  Interesting side note: Pat Missin's website has a section 
dedicated to correcting mistakes in that book. 
  But, IMO, any harper who hears Carlos Del Junco's album, "Big Boy", will be 
knocked out.  After hearing it, i bought everything else he has out.  
(Advice: To save money, I wish i had skipped his first project where he was only 
backing a guitarist/vocalist.)
  I too have been playing for quite a few years myself.  I am amazed at his 
playing, and I have no problems with his vocals.  Great band too.  And many 
thanks to Carlos for including in the liner notes, the song keys, harp keys, and 
position.  He plays fantastic stuff in 2nd and 3rd position, and about half 
the album is done in 12th position - amazing playing.  In fact Paul deLay's 
fantastic compilation, "Take it From the Turnaround" was my fav. album in many 
years - till i heard "Big Boy" !  I can't rave enuf about it.
  Tho i admit to not being all that familiar with Blues Traveller material, 
IMHO, the shot at Popper, is unnecessary and unwarranted.  I know many on this 
list don't appreciate JP that much - something i understand and don't agree 
with.  IMHO, he should at the very least be respected for turning on alot of 
people to the harp.  In the words of one of the great philosophers of the 90's, 
"Can't we all just try to get along?"  
  And in the words of Charlie McCoy, 
Keep on harpin'! 
Ron