[Harp-L] Festival

["Walter Scanlon" <scanlon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Hey folks,
> Man, that was a great experience! Chris Mastakas said everything about 
> the Festival that I would say-only better! That too was my first harp 
> event and I was blown away by the incredible talent-in fact, somewhat 
> intimated. Not only was the music great but there were lots of 
> laughs-both among those just hanging as well as just about everyone 
> who got a mic in their hand. And the Master of Ceremonies really had 
> some great material-most of which was impromptu. (I think he might 
> have stolen some of from Jackie Mason-who was appearing next door.) 
> The jam on Friday night was very hip-just dudes getting together and 
> doing some blues. While the late night hang with Chris, Elizabeth and 
> Smo-Joe was bad (Elizabeth-I mean that in a good way!), everyone I met 
> made my day (and night)! It was a pleasure being at a conference where 
> CEUs weren't awarded and PowerPoint presentations boring everyone.
> The only criticism I have is of the new CD of Chris Bauer-"Straight 
> Ahead."
> The cuts were everything I expected-great; but the quality of the CD 
> really sucks. The jewel-box cover information looks like it was 
> printed on a $59 inkjet, the Cd didn't automatically load and there 
> were no song titles, just "track 1; track 2, etc.-I had to write the 
> titles, album name and artist name (Chris Bauer) into each song. If 
> "Penguin Records" is really a company, fire the sucker and put out a 
> quality album/CD that reflects your quality musicianship. Your 
> repertoire is well worth $15, but your CD presentation needs a lot of 
> help!
> I dug every performance-even those my mother/father would have called 
> "Joe McGee." I am looking forward to the next event (Minneapolis?) 
> Wally (aka Manhattan Walter)