[Harp-L] Review of Helge Tallqvist - Plays George "Harmonica" Smith

[Paul Routledge <kingley@xxxxxxx>]

I got this CD yesterday and here is a quick review of it.

Helge Tallqvist and his band do a magnificent job on this CD.
They have nailed the George Smith sound to a tee. But don't be fooled  
into thinking that these tracks are a mere exercise in playing covers.
Helge puts his own personal stamp on each track and has the kind of  
tone that we all wish we had, you know the kind. That tone that just  
goes on for days, big ,fat, full bodied and ripped.
I don't  think I have heard a tone this good since I heard Dennis  
Gruenling.

I won't review the individual tracks, but what I will say is that  
there is a not a single weak track on this CD.
The CD itself contains a recording of George Smith talking on his  
porch to Helge and others and makes for a brief insight into a man  
that most of us never had the chance to get to know. George sure must  
have been a lot of fun if this short track is anything to go by.

Helge Tallqvist has to be one of the best blues harp players in the  
world and certainly deserves his place alongside people such as Rod  
Piazza, Mark Hummel, James Harman, Rick Estrin, Dennis Gruenling and  
Kim Wilson.

I would recommend this CD to everybody who loves George Smith. Buy  
this and you will not be disappointed at all!!

Paul