[Harp-L] Chris Michalek's trio

["Dave Murray" <dlmurray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The last time that I went to hear Chris Michalek play, it was with his "Blue 
Energy" blues band. Last night I went to hear him play with his harp, bass, 
and drums "where's your guitar man?" trio. Well, they don't need no guitar 
with Christopher Strone on the bass. I have a new respect for what a bass 
man can do! But this is Harp-L, so though Christopher is worthy of heaps of 
praise, I won't gush. Chris, as good as his blues is, and it's good, does a 
good thing in not putting himself into a genre box. Yes, he is a jazz man, 
but he's more than that.

They played all sorts of music and wove a mosaic of genre switched music 
that was a real joy to listen to. Songs morphed into "how did that get in 
there?, but I like it!" moments as what might be a trademark for the trio. I 
used the word songs, many think that that implies a singer. They have no 
more need of a singer than for a guitar. Chris doesn't do Salty Holmes, but 
his melodies have voice, if you get my drift. They did the Billie 
Jean/Messing with the Kid thing, and ended with Purple Haze. I was there for 
the whole gig so there was too much to remember. I tried to "listen 
intelligently" but got caught up in the flow, became mesmerized, and just 
experienced the music. If you get a chance to hear them live, do it. It's a 
pleasure.

I am not a music critic, I'm just some guy who is old enough to have 
listened to a bunch of music, and who is eclectic enough in my view of the 
world to appreciate something different. Just my 30 cents, I can't always 
bend to within 2 cents :0)

Ohh, I got a surprise when they did Monk Alters Chi. I assumed that they 
used a dijerido for that on the CD, Chris does it with just his voice.

Peace and music,
Dave