[Harp-L] Unusual old stuff (5th position)

["Rick Dempster" <rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

For anyone interested in (unusual) old stuff: I like playing in 5th
position (ie/eg E minor on a C harp) I know there are folks out there
who do it, but I've never heard a recording. I came across a fascinating
illustrated book called 'Jazz Life' by Joachim E. Berendt, so big you
just about need a fork lift to pick it up. Anyway, it has a CD in the
back consisting of a wide variety of Afro/US artists, including an
unaccompanied harp/vocal piece called "Jack of Diamonds" by one  Brother
Percy Randolph, and it's in that position. Running a search on him, I
see that he recorded with Snooks Eaglin at one stage. Don't know when it
was recorded, but my guess is he was doing it a long while back. I'm
surprised you don't hear more of 5th in early playing;seems really
natural for primitive blues, or at least it does to...
Yours truly,
Rick Dempster