[Harp-L] younglings and other prelim SPAH thoughts

[Chris Michalek <groovygypsy@xxxxxxxxx>]

After working with Jay Gaunt, Alex Paclin and Brandon Bailey my thoughts on
Alex have changed. Todd Parrot is correct when he said there is much more to
Alex than is shown on You Tube.

Alex is MUCH better than I thought. I really pushed him into uncomfortable
conditions and he held up much better than I thought. He has the best chops
of all the younglings.

Jay has the best tone of the three and is the best raw musician of the
three. He handled everything I threw at him and played very well at the Jazz
Jam. Alex did not fare well at the Jazz Jam at all and in fact after playing
on chorus with Jay, Alex left the jam altogether and went back to the blues
jam. Jay stayed and played jazz with me.

Brandon has his own sound now, yes I know he takes a lot from Son of Dave
but Brandon has made what he does, his own and that something neither Jay
nor Alex have done.

Eric Noden is very cool, I played with him for a few hours yesterdays. WOW,
what a great musician.

Buzz is funny as ever.

Rosco Selley and Jim Conway are...hmmm..... ummmmm pretty good... I guess.

Tom Albanese is one of my favortie SPAHtilites and makes THE best cookie I
have ever had.

Filisko had a tremendous show at the Blow off.

Buckweed totally rules!!!

Robert Koch is as crotchety as I imagined but I really want to spend some
time with him.  He's a brilliant person and I wish I had more time to chat
with him. I love frank and intelligent conversation.

PT Gazell is as awesome as I remember.

I played five different B-Radicals. They look beautiful and it's worth
owning one on looks alone.

David Payne is cool.

Smokey Joe is a badass. I love his playing and his keen sense of what is
what.

The hotel is not great. The bathrooms and beds suck, at least in my room.
And as I stated a year ago, the location makes things difficult and I'm sure
those without a car feel like a hostage.  I was charged $1.95 for a cup of
WATER!!!! Breakfast is $11.00 for the kind of buffet I have seen at Super 8
motels for free. There is no room service.

The band and location for the Jazz Jam is the best since St Louis in 1999.
This is the best jazz jam in over 10 years of SPAH.

ROb Paparozzi is always the most entertaining player when he steps on stage.

Chris Bauer is a monster but that really doesn't need to be restated about
him.