[Harp-L] New Richard Hunter piece on Broadjam.com

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi all,

I just posted a new piece to Broadjam.com.  It's called "Kill the 
Doctor," and it expresses my emotions towards the physician who nearly 
killed my wife a few years ago.  Unlike most of my pieces, this one 
includes a vocal.  I wrote and sang the lyrics.  You can hear it at:

http://broadjam.com/rhunter

Please note that art is not life, and the song expresses my emotions, 
not my intentions.  In other words, I have no intention of killing 
anybody, now or in the future.  So you may enjoy the piece (if indeed 
you enjoy it) without feeling that you are duty-bound to call the cops 
afterwards.

This topic is pretty blue, and the piece is written as a 16-bar blues 
form.  For some reason I've been playing a lot of blues lately, and my 
long-standing love for Charlie Musselwhite really comes through on this one.

The harp was recorded into the computer through a Line 6 UX2 audio 
interface, using Line 6's Gearbox software (which essentially duplicates 
a POD amp modeler in software).  I went for a Chicago-type amped sound, 
using a Bassman amp model and a 1x12 cabinet model, and I must say that 
I'm pretty amazed at how quickly (like, 5 minutes, tops) I was able to 
use that software to dial in a very convincing amped harp tone, complete 
with analog delay and spring reverb, using nothing but the software and 
an Audix Fireball mic.  It was as if I was standing in front of the amp, 
working the controls--it was that simple.  The sound you hear on the 
recording has hardly been altered at all from the original tracks--I 
only EQ'd out a little bit of bottom end to make room for the bass.

Like I said, I was impressed.  I would say that at about $125 and $200 
respectively, a Line 6 UX1 or UX2 is a pretty cost-effective way for a 
harp player to record a very big range of amped sounds for not a lot of 
money.  You can't play live with either of those devices--they're only 
for recording, and only via a USB connection to a computer--but a Line 6 
POD or POD XT will do that job for a little more money. (FYI, the 
guitar--actually electric strumstick--parts were recorded through the 
same device, using an amp model based on a Fender Deluxe.)

Final comments on the harp stuff: I did some early takes where my solos 
were all over the high end of the harmonica, but I realized eventually 
that to get the right Chicago feel, I had to hug the low end of the 
harp. I'm glad I did.  But I got some of my signature wide intervals in: 
the opening harp chords, repeated at the end of every verse, alternate 
between octaves and 12ths (1-4 and 1-6 splits, to be exact). The harp 
used for this recording is a Suzuki Firebreath in Bb, played in second 
position.  I liked the sound of the instrument, but I found it to be 
difficult to control, especially on the draw 3 reed--this is a problem 
area on every Firebreath I've purchased.

Thanks and regards,
Richard Hunter
hunterharp.com
Latest mp3s always at http://broadjam.com/rhunter