[Harp-L] Charlie McCoy Concert

[IcemanLE@xxxxxxx]

It was a rare evening of entertainment. Charlie was reunited with many of  
his old friends and back up players from when he used to tour under his own name 
 around the US and commanded more respect. As in other forms of career music, 
the  older traditional players are being replaced by new/younger hotshots in  
recording situations and record company interest. So, it was quite a reunion 
and  a joy to see for this human aspect alone.
 
Naturally, this happiness spilled over to a very intimate and enjoyable  
concert. Jazz from the 40's, old time gospel (w/4 part harmony), traditional  
country tunes, many instrumentals and stellar musicianship was the entertainment  
last night. Charlie is playing stronger than ever. It was fun watching how  
Charlie, who is used to counting off his tunes faster than normal (because of  
the mediocre ability of local drummers that he is saddled with for many gigs 
who  slow the tempo down during the tunes), keeping up with Bob Mater - 1st  
class Nashville session drummer - who started the tunes at these accelerated  
tempos and kept them there. I never heard Orange Blossom Special played so  fast.
 
Charlie tours mostly in France, where he says the audience isn't driven by  
any MTV music industry or "American Idol" or "young lion I can smoke  anybody 
flash in the pan" egotistic attitudes. He says they come to the  concert with 
open minds and show true depth and appreciation - more so than here  in the US. 
I told him it was parallel to the jazz expatriates in the  '40's.
 
He is recording and releasing a few new albums - a christmas album and one  
focusing on jazz standards. The only place to buy his recordings is on his  
website - _www.charliemccoy.com_ (http://www.charliemccoy.com) .
 
The Iceman



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