[Harp-L] Michalek & P.T. Gazell

[Roscoharp@xxxxxxx]

Hey list,
 Chris Michalek is a good friend of mine, & I have recently gotten  to know & 
like Phil, so I will not claim anything like objectivity in  praising their 
playing. That said, it is also  true that I don't go around  throwing around 
suck up compliments.
   Chris has lately, & bravely, shared numerous  live recordings of his 
amazing band. The new direction he is taking is quite a  departure from his debut 
CD. I personally really dig it. There aren't too  many harp players going the 
funky improv route over the hip changes that Chris'  band plays. The free cuts 
he has shared over the net would be a cool album in  themselves. I hope he 
releases a studio album of this kind of music. I love the  way the music is 
accessible without compromising musical chops.
 
     Also, I finally had a chance to give P.T. Gazell's  new record a serious 
listen. 
Welcome back, Phil!! 
Nice!! 
Swingin' Hard, Hittin' Easy ( give me 10 strokes, Phil) is a wonderful  
harmonica recording. Phil plays beautiful lines over top notch arrangements with  
his signature half-valved (or whatever it is)  sound. This is easy  listening 
music in the best sense: easy to listen to, hard to play. The band  Phil 
assembled is enviable. The record consists of fairly well known  jazz/popular  
standards played in a small group swing style. Phil's  command of his instrument is 
inspiring.
   Harp players seem to segregate themselves into genres that  they 
understand & dig; I consider this sad. I would hope every harp  player is willing to 
step outside of their genre of choice & give these guys  a real listen. 
  Their styles are worlds apart, but the love for the instrument,  & the 
depth of their commitment to it, is the same.
  The best thing I can say about their work is: it inspires me to  practice.  

later, Rosco
 (http://maybeaugust.com/DefaultFrameset.asp) _maybe august_ 
(http://maybeaugust.com/admin.asp)