Re: [Harp-L] Holiday Harp

moandabluz@xxxxxxx · Tue, 19 Dec 2006 02:45:32 -0500

  Aha.. the Creeper strikes again.  He's a Minnesota guy who, last time 
I talked to him, had moved to California. He has played with blues 
greats and done studio work and used to play on a Christmas show with a 
pianist  named Lori Line that is very popular in the midwest.

 The Creeper is a killer player. And a heckuva a nice guy.

Steve "Moandabluz" Webb

a fool for the harp in Minnesota
-----Original Message-----
From: bogio@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
Cc: bruce@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Mon, 11 Dec 2006 5:32 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Holiday Harp
  Greetings, friends...Â

Â

 I've been too busy to even read harp lists lately, but decided I 
needed a break yesterday to pen a few lines. Well, hey... it was my 
birthday! :)Â

Â

 Recently, I received perhaps the most amazing new harmonica recording 
designed to encompass this time of year's holiday spirit that I have 
experienced in, well... I've never experienced anything like it!Â

Â

 But, I feel a bit sad and ashamed. You see, I have taken on the scary 
job of editor for the SPAH magazine, Harmonica Happenings, and I was 
asked to promote this CD with an ad in this ~season's~ issue of the 
magazine. I am so behind the learning curve for editing a whole 
magazine at this point that I will sadly not get this issue out to SPAH 
members in a timely way to best help this harmonicist promote his 
seasonal work as planned. And, that really be a shame, too, but perhaps 
this writing will make up for it a little bit.Â

Â

 Funny the way it happened... this guy called me to say he had 2 CDs he 
wanted to promote in the magazine, having heard I would be the new 
editor. One of them is called "Holidays in Harmonicaland", and I am 
listening to it 'again' as I write this. I was sure to listen to this 
more than once, I guarantee you.Â

Â

 He claimed we had met before at a SPAH or other harmonica convention, 
but I couldn't place the name. When the CDs arrived, I suddenly 
recalled meeting him, and more importantly, 'hearing' this fellow play. 
I am sure many shared my same awe. We all know the routine... you go, 
you hear, you watch... and then you and others are all glancing left 
and right to each other with the same query in your eyes. Umm... WHO is 
that guy??? Holy Cow!!! Instant groupies.Â

Â

 For me, for most of us, it was someone we all came to know then only 
as "Creeper". Any of you out there remember who I'm talking about? 
Well, here's his real name -- Bruce Kurnow. And, let me say, he put 
together one amazing solo project for a holiday album! There are 15 
tracks of self-produced music for a diverse variety of holiday pieces. 
Consider...Â

Â

 It opens with Carol of the Bells, then Silent Night, goes on to Alvinu 
Malchenu, Dreydl Blues, Amazing Grace, The First Noel, and ending with 
the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, but lots of other gems in between; 
after all, there are 15 cuts on the CD! Among them are equally amazing 
renditions of Away in a Manger, O Come O Come, Immanuel, and yes, 
believe it or not, a scaled down, multi-harp version of the Hallelujah 
Chorus!! I haven't heard it enough times yet to settle on my favorites, 
but I'm sure I will, and they may not even be one of those listed here 
because there are so many beautiful pieces.Â

Â

 Other instrumental sounds involved, but basically, Kurnow has 
performed most all of the parts on several different harmonica 
instruments... Diatonic, Chromatic, Echo, Bass, and Harmonetta, as well 
as accompaniment by carefully selected, wide-ranging effects and tones 
of electronic keyboards. What stands out in my mind most, however, is 
the fresh, original and very skillful arrangements of the songs, also 
all done by Kurnow. Truly, an astonishing accomplishment!Â

Â

 Honestly... this is my pick for your best choice of Holiday Harmonica 
this season; perhaps even holiday music in general! Bruce is truly an 
outstanding, expressive musician. Lucky us, he chose the harmonica as 
his favorite tool to convey his musical talent. Delinquent me, I would 
truly have hoped to get this news out to our SPAH membership before 
now, but admittedly, it has been a pinch. Forgive me. But, go ahead and 
buy "Creeper's" CD, because I guarantee you, there will be much you can 
enjoy now, glean from hearing it, and then save to feel an inner thrill 
when you bring it out again next winter to marvel anew at how Bruce 
Kurnow has captured the beauty, joy and peace of the holiday season in 
"Holidays in Harmonicaland".Â

Â

 Now I can't wait to dive into his OTHER CD! Oh, my!!! It's similarly 
titled just "Harmonicaland". Do check out Kurnow's website for more 
information, sound clips and ordering instructions. You will be stunned 
at this harmonica player's talent and prolific musical career! Here's 
the URL: http://www.brucekurnow.com And, to Bruce... Good luck with 
these CDs, and please get yourself back to a SPAH convention, or any 
harmonica fest, real soon! We miss you!!Â

Â

Holiday Cheers, all you free-reeders!Â

Â

BobbieÂ

Â

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