RE: [Harp-L] Thank You... From a Popper Protege Looking For Feedback

["Robert Gaustad" <robertgaustad@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hey, Noah:

I dig what you're trying to do and applaud your efforts.  Even at 53 (okay,
not until Sunday), I still appreciate good, hard, high energy rock.  And
since you're doing all you can with your music to promote the harp, way to
go, man.  Don't ever let anybody try to make you feel like a second class
citizen.  The harmonica is a fantastic instrument and those people who don't
get that...well, they just don't get it.

And, nice playing!

Robert Gaustad

 

Snip...

These are the harmonicas I used on the album and I am kindly asking for
feedback--although the feedback doesn't have to be kind :)  Please listen to
the 3 tunes I have posted at our website and I appreciate ALL comments,
suggestions, words of encouragement and flames.

http://www.viciousaloysius.com
or:
http://www.myspace.com/viciousaloysius
(There is harp in all 3 tunes)

My goal is to bring our instrument back into mainstream music.  By that I
mean "radio-friendly rock".  Of course, my goal works off the premise that
it left mainstream music to begin with and I honestly do feel that way for
the most part.  When I ran in blues circles, the harp seemed like a vibrant
and viable instrument.  There were singers, guitarists, bassists,
drummers...  and then harp players.  After a few years of running in rock
and pop rock circles... in my experience... our instrument is simply not
represented--or represented well.  I support this point with the fact that I
am treated significantly different outside the blues community.  The
harmonica is called my "schtick" and my "hook".  I have had producers,
engineers and indie label execs tell me that it is a "great gimmick".  I
intend to do what I can to change this.

Snip...