Re: [Harp-L] As Time Goes By

[Bobbie Giordano <bogio@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Just another indication there are always at least two things you will 
miss when attending harmonica conventions... Sleep, obviously... and 
something really special involving harmonica-playing people.  I don't 
know if it was Gail or Leon, both of whom were at BHF, who made these 
poignant observations, [Gail, I presume,] but I sure wish I had shared 
what they did!

At 08:05 AM 4/10/2006, Leon & Gail Albin wrote:
>I returned yesterday from the very worthwhile Buckeye Harmonica
>Festival in Columbus, Ohio. It was a thrill to meet others from
>Harp-l. There was talent galore and willingness to share it.
>When I walked into the lobby on Wednesday evening, I thought
>'now I have met my people'. My last view of the goings on was
>Saturday night after the very big show. It was nearly midnight
>and in the lobby were about 6-8 older gentlemen all playing AS
>TIME GOES BY. If I were a documentary maker, that would be my
>final scene and then fade to black.

Unfortunately, I believe at that time I was around a couple corners from 
them, revelling in what was essentially a "pick-up" harmonica trio of 
Wally Peterman, Phil Caltabellotta and Frank Warner; chord, chromatic and 
bass instruments, respectively.  [Apologies for any name 
misspellings!]  The latter two I've known for years, but Wally and his 
lovely wife were new to many of us at BHF this year, where his chord 
prowess astounded most of us, including Jason Ricci, who more than once 
afterward announced a desire to learn that instrument!  [If you've ever 
seen how a good chord player has to manipulate the instrument, just take 
a moment and imagine what THAT would look like on stage of a typical 
Ricci concert!!  Yikes!]

But, I figure about the time "a sigh is just a sigh..." was being emoted, 
Phil and company were well into a mini version of "Fiddler On The Roof", 
complete with Phil's timely interspersions of descriptive dialogue to 
humorously accent the next musical selection from the famed musical... 
all while, of course, Wally and Frank punched great rhythmic fillers.

On a personal note, I'm sad I missed the Albins' experience, because the 
TV show on PBS of the same name and theme song, [imported from England,] 
was quite a favorite of mine and my partner, Douglas Tate, who introduced 
me to the show.  As the leading characters of that sitcom often reminded 
me of him and me, I earnestly tried learning that theme song [also from 
Casablanca, of course,] shortly before he died, in hopes of sending him a 
recording of my playing it on my Renaissance.  I never made it.  However, 
I knew it well enough on chromatic to have tried joining in on what the 
Albins saw, and if not, well... I know all the lyrics, too.  ;)

Gail, and Leon, I am so glad you were able to enjoy the event as much as 
most harmonica lovers do at such things.  And, I hope to see you again 
sometime at another... with luck, not before too much "time goes by."

Great meeting you there!

Hoping to compose, OR SEE, another report on BHF, but, meantime...

Cheers folks!
Bobbie