Re: [Harp-L] What Popper means to me.

[Moandabluz@xxxxxxx]

One of the best things I saw this year at SPAH was Saturday night, in the 
hotel lobby after Charlie McCoy's great show.   There sat Pat Ramsey, the blues 
veteran, and Jimi Lee, an amazing player, learning Popper licks from 
17-year-old Greg. . . How cool is that?
   Greg, by the way, is going to be a killer. He's already light years ahead 
of the curve and look like he will be a harmonica sponge for years to come. 
His playing in the jams was excellent and he's comfortable around the rest of us 
harp weirdos....
SPAH this year for me was special. Charlie McCoy has been my harmonica hero 
for 30 years and I got to meet him, listen to him play in person... that was 
just so great.... 
   There were so many good things about SPAH. I went this year with the 
mindset of listening more than playing. I played a couple of songs in the 
late-night jams, but I wasn't comfortable with it this year. I felt better in Jimi 
Lee's hallway experiences, though. He's really good with that and he's a monster 
of a player.
   The sleeper at SPAH this year, in my humble opinion, was Harp-L's own 
Warren Bachman, or Warren 'Bee', as he had on his name tag. He kicked major butt 
in the jams and brought a   lot of energy to the whole experience. Mojo Red 
Mergentine from Colorado also impressed with his solid playing.
   Froggy... what a breath of fresh air. Charisma and talent, and he's 
French, too. 
   I got help from session player Jelly Roll Johnson, and more help from 
list-member Cara Cooke. 
I made friends with Mark Sallings, who is a superb harp player and all-around 
musician. I had a drink with Jimmy Gordon, who was kind enough to fix my harp 
at the convention, and I got to hang with Elizabeth and Bobbi and got to meet 
Tobe and many other Harp-L'ers....
   I'm broke now, but I had fun.

Still a fool for the Harp
Steve 'Moandabluz' Webb