Re: [Harp-L] Charlie Musslewhite

["Michael Polesky, MPA" <m.polesky@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi All,

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Halchak" <thalchak@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

> I simply cannot get enough of "The Harmonica According
> to Charlie Musselwhite".  To me, it is the cleanest, tightest sound I have
> ever heard come out of a harmonica.  That's just my opinion mind you.  To
> those of you who have a more refined ear, am I wrong? I am curious about 
> why
> he doesn't get more play, conversationally speaking.  I see his name
> mentioned in passing, almost as an afterthought, but rarely do I see the
> kind of praise for his music like I see regarding others. It seems to me
> that he might be, dare I say, persona non grata for some unknown reason. 
> Am
> I wrong?  Just curious.

While I have often said that I never heard any harp recordings until I had 
been playing harp for 20 years, someone bought me a recording of Charlie 
Musselwhite's "The Harmonica According to Charlie Musselwhite" when I was in 
college.  I have been salivating over this recording for more than 20 years 
hence.  It is truly one of the greatest recordings of all time - and I am a 
chromatic guy ;-).

The reason you don't hear that much about Charlie on this list is because 
the is no argument there!  Everyone knows he is incredible.  Also, he really 
does get mentioned, with great reverence, all the time in passing.  He is 
always close in our hearts.

One interesting note about this album is that you would be surprised how 
little an effect gear had to do with it.  When you are sitting in a room 
with Charlie and he pulls out his harp he sounds just like that.  It's not 
that there isn't a difference, rather that the difference is smaller than 
you could possibly imagine.  When Charlie plays a note in front of you, your 
spine starts to shiver!!

Michael