[Harp-L] Re: Beginning Cajun Harp - Advice

["Trip Henderson" <trip.tunes@xxxxxxxxx>]

Good advice from Winslow as usual, always a trusted source! Isom is a
wonderful player who works with unaltered harps even when playing modal
pieces.  My absolute favorite Cajun player is Arteleus Mistric. He only
recorded two 78 rpm sides in the 20's. They are both gorgeous and can be
found on an obscure collection called "Le Gran Mamou: A Cajun Music
Anthology, 1928-1941, Vol. I and Raise Your Window: A Cajun Music Anthology,
Vol. 2" available from the country Music Hall of Fame. As I recall he's
playing what sounds to be first position but is actually 2nd played in the
middle and top end of the instrument. Two of my all time favorite harmonica
recordings!!!


Trip ~ NYC


From: Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Beginning Cajun Harp - Advice

The genuine old-time stuff is played on a standard diatonic, not on altered
tunings.

If you haven't already, get the 2-CD set "Folk Songs of the Louisiana
Acadians" on Arhoolie. It features Isom Fontenot on many tracks playing in
the authentic Acadian French harmonica style, both as featured artist and
accompanying others.

I don't remember the keys used on that compilation, but I do know that Cajun
harmonica player Jerry Devillier of Eunice, Louisiana, (who plays very much
in the same style as Fontenot) plays a C harp most of the time, largely in
second position.

Winslow

-- 
Trip
http://www.myspace.com/triphenderson
http://www.secondfiddles.com