Re: [Harp-L] Michel Herblin

[icemanle@xxxxxxx]

We all met Michel in 1992 at the Detroit SPAH/HOHNER International Competition in Detroit.
 
There we were, all hanging out in the lobby bar (do you remember this, Buzz?) of the Crowne Royal Hotel by Metro Airport, when in walks Michel. He is hard to miss, cause he is about 6' 4" tall and somehow seemed bigger than life. Of course, we were curious as to who he was, so we asked. He said, in his French accented English, "My name is Michel Herblin and I have come to win". My my, how pompous thought we.

However, once he played, everything changed. Michel was an original voice, something lacking on diatonic in those days (and these days as well). BEAUTIFUL TONE, total control of the bends, excellent original music. I "fell in love" with his music. Soon after, the pompousness I experienced morphed into a reality of his talent and his being French and telling it like it is. He is actually very shy, but is a true artist with something to offer. We became friends, I was given a rough copy of his early recording and he gave me permission to play his original tunes.
 
That year, Michel took 1st place, Sandy Weltman took 2nd and I took 3rd.
 
Ah yes, the good ol' days.
 
The GeezerMan
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