1991 SPAH memories was Re: [Harp-L] Michel Herblin

["Chris Michalek" <chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

That was actually 1991.  The 1992 SPAH was in Chicago where we all drove around in Levy's Nissan... another story for another time

I spent a lot of time hanging out with Michel. He was my biggest influence that year despite Howard Levy also being in the hotel.  I remember Howard taking a liking to Michel but refused to believe that he was not an influence on him at all.  Michel was one of the few overblowers as it was something that was just emerging...the only other overblowers aside from Howard and Michel were Sandy Weltman, Larry Eisenberg, John McLaughlin and myself. Those were intereting times. I remember seeing larry and sandy down by the piano at some jam and thinking man I'll never get to that level...  Michel Herblin stole the show though when he stepped up to the mic and played Lionel Richie's "Hello". I still play that song today based upon that moment.

Michel was quite a fellow and I didn't sense any real arrogance maybe because he liked me and took me under his wing that year? I don't know.  I was a pretty raw player that year though many tell me I would have easily taken 3rd place, alas I wasn't there to compete.  I learned how to attack notes from Michel. "Know that note" he would say "Hit it hard and make it yours"  That's always in the back of my head everytime I play.

I remember meeting Filisko who was selling heavy brass harmonicas. I played one and thought it was awesome but there was NO WAY I was going to pay $75 for a harmonica. Such a fool in hindsight. I wish I would have purchased everyone. I remember walking over to the Holiday Inn for the Blues jam with Joe Filisko but refused to go in when we got to the door. Joe realized I was broke and paid the $10 cover for me. I'll never forget that.

I met Madcat that year too. I rememeber being hugely nervous to be in his presence because he was/is my major blues influence and here he is in the flesh. I met Annie Cohen that year too and years later when people where surprised that I hadn't heard of her I had no idea she took on the last name of Raines.

I also met Wiliam Galison who asked me how to overblow. David Flack was the resident guitarist.  I remember being awe-struck at Howard Levy and Ron Kalina playing jazz in the lobby.  

What a life changing moment that was for me as a player.  A SPAH convention is the best thing a young player can do to get to the next level.

I'll be in Denver next month.




>-----Original Message-----
>From: icemanle@xxxxxxx [mailto:icemanle@xxxxxxx]
>Sent: Thursday, July 6, 2006 05:40 AM
>To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Michel Herblin
>
>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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