Re: [Harp-L] Harmonica sur Cher

"Ben FELTEN [ML]" <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> · Tue, 24 Mar 2009 23:14:48 +0100

Dave and all, sorry for the late response.
The program as it stands today is extremely appealing to me. If this is 
indeed the last edition of the Festival as has been hinted, what a way 
to go !!!
On Wednesday evening (May 20th) we will have French rock band *Kwak* 
(http://www.myspace.com/kwaklegroupe). Kwak is a quirky rock band with a 
mix of influences from reaggae to punk. They already played the festival 
back in 2006 and absolutely tore the house down. Frontman Damien 
Tartarella is a superb diatonic player who really blends the instrument 
in the whole as opposed to stand above the fray soloing. You can get a 
feel for their stuff here: 
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5mxe9_kwak-miteux_music. Note that 
evening will be opened by local bands at the request of Kwak. Even 
though these bands will most likely not feature harp playing, it's a 
pretty cool gesture from a well known band on the circuit!
On Thursday evening (May 21st), St Aignan will greet two of the most 
interesting French harmonica players. Opening the evening will be 
*Michel Herblin* is somewhat known outside of France for his 90s release 
Matin aux Pommes which showcased the wonderful sound of his diatonic 
harmonica. Michel Herblin (http://www.myspace.com/michelherblin) will be 
accompanied here by the cream of French jazz drummers AndrÃ Ceccarelli, 
and a great band of jazz/world musicians.
Michel will be followed by another member of the fine fleur of French 
diatonic, heavy rock player *Marko Balland* 
(http://www.myspace.com/markoharp). Marko's claim to fame in the early 
00s was a tribute album to Jimi Hendrix which featured his heavy style 
of playing. He's been back in the circuit for a few years now and 
recently pre-released his new album Mille et Un RÃveils. His brand of 
heavy rock is a welcome change from blues based rock harp playing.
On Friday May 22nd, there will be a free concert of classical harmonica 
and guitar in the afternoon. The duet is *Bruno RouillÃ *on chromatic 
harmonica (http://www.myspace.com/simonrouille) and *Cyrille Simon* on 
guitar. Their repertoire includes classical and contemporary music, with 
pieces from FaurÃ, Satie, Fernando Sor, Celso Machado, BÃla BartÃk, 
Franz Constant and the Buenos Aires Suite composed by Maximo Diego Pujol.
Friday evening is another great night of music with more of a world 
tinge to it. Opening the evening will be *Bill Barrett* (chromatic 
harmonica) and *Scot Ray* (slide guitars) with their world jazz duet 
*Gutpuppet* (http://www.myspace.com/gutpuppet). Bill and Scot play a 
radical yet hauntingly evocative music that transcends genres and draws 
from influences literally from around the whole world. In addition, for 
the harmonica afficionado, Bill's rhythmic playing is something very 
special and not often heard. Not to mention his harmonetta and sheng 
playing!
The night will continue in a world mood with *Lavach*. Lavach 
(http://www.myspace.com/zonelavach) define themselves as progressive 
fusion folk, which I guess illustrates the fact that even though their 
music draws heavily on folklore, especially eastern european, it's not 
confined by roots. Their music can sound very traditional one minute and 
explode into heavy rock re-reading of the theme the next. The harmonica 
of Emmanuel Bosser adds an aerial note to the whole.
On Saturday May 23rd we will see no less than four concerts!
During the daytime at the prÃvautÃ, *SÃvane and Manu* 
(http://www.myspace.com/sevaneetmanu) respectively singer/accordion 
player and harmonica player from Lavach will perform as a duet, 
exploring klezmer, greek rebetika and other mediterranean musical 
genres. The blend of two reed instruments is not an easy feat to 
achieve, but listen to the samples, they know just how to do it!
Later, the prÃvautÃ will greet *Nicholas Bacchus* 
(http://www.nicolas-bacchus.com/), backed by his friends Damien 
Tartarella (Kwak) and Michel Herblin. Bacchus is a great example of the 
new Chanson FranÃaise: cynical, provocative and humourous, his style is 
his own. Over the years, both Michel and Damien have backed him live, 
and on this unique occasion he will have them both alongside him!
The evening will then follow with two more concerts. The first one will 
be a wonderful exploration of African rhythms with calabash and n'goni 
player *Pedro KouyatÃ* and his *Maninka Transe Acoustique* 
(http://www.myspace.com/pedrokouyate). Pedro KouyatÃ has a prestigious 
carreer backing African musicians like Boubacar TraorÃ. His own group' 
is a transe project, music that makes you want to danse and forget 
everything else. He will be backed by top musicians himself, including 
the wonderful *Vincent Bucher* on harmonia whose credentials in playing 
African music (as well as blues) are extensive. Vincent came with his 
own band in one of the early editions of the festival and he's still 
fondly remembered!
Finally, the festival will be closed by the old and famous blues-rock 
band Nine Below Zero. You don't present *Nine Below Zero* 
(http://www.myspace.com/9bz ), but I guess I'll try anyway. A British 
blues-rock band with a prestigious history going back to the 70s, Nine 
Below Zero have never compromised. They're still around, doing the same 
brand of deep-feeling, gutsy blues-rock. Their harp player *Mark 
Feltham* has played with the best of them including, but not limited to 
Rory Gallagher. What a show this is going to be...
I'm sorry of this all sound a little promo-ish, but I'm very excited 
about this year's festival, and if indeed it is the last one, I for one 
am going to make sure I enjoy it to its fullest! By the way, this list 
doesn't even mention the masterclasses, informal talks, jamming, etc. 
that will take place just like it does every year. On the week-end of 
the Ascension, from May 20-23rd, if you don't know what to do, well this 
is the place to be!!!
As Christophe noted, all details on www.harmonicasurcher.com
BenoÃt FELTEN
http://www.musicalramblings.com