[Harp-L] Irish Harp and the 1847

["Aongus MacCana" <amaccana@xxxxxxxxxx>]

ZVI enquired about Irish Music on the "Harp" and I think that he or someone
else enquired about fiddle/harp combos.
The harmonica is still very much a minority instument on the Irish Trad
scene and I find that I have to get most of my 'inspiration' from County
Clare Box and Concertina players.
As regards fiddle and harp duos a French (Well Breton to be exact!) Player
called Jean Sabot has made a very nice album with a fiddle and guitar. I
bought his album 'on spec' when on holiday in France two years ago and was
agreeably impressed. It was quite a pleasant surprise when he turned up at
the Willie Clancy Summer School in Co. Clare this year.
If I had to suggest a discography for "Irish Harp" the three 'Heavy Hitters
at the moment are Mick Kinsella, Rick Epping and of course Brendan Power.
Mick Kinsella has one album to date: "Harmonica"
Brendan Power has a collection of albums the main one being "New Irish
Harmonica", but he must have at least a half a dozen more on his web site as
well as an instructional course.
Rick Epping has no solo album of Irish music that I know about although he
featured on a classic album called Pumpkinhead in the seventies and has also
recorded with a lot of respected Irish musicians on other records since.
He can be heard on the Iron Lung (Power/Kinsella/Epping) album called
"Triple Harp Bybass" , and he features on quite a few extraordinary videos
on YouTube.
For straight Irish Trad on the tremolo harmonica you have to hear The Murphy
Brothers from County Wexford. Their album is titled "The Trip to
Cullenstown"
Finally Tommy Basker's Tin Sandwich (A Cape Breton take on Scottish Music)
and Scotsman Donald Black's "Westwinds" are also required listening.
As regards the Seydel 1847, I am staking my investment on the durability of
the stainless steel reeds. Rumour has it that Seydel are considering
development of a "dishwasher safe" harmonica. If this idea ever gets off the
starting block I want to be the first kid on the block to get one!
Beannachtaí
Aongus Mac Cana