Re: [Harp-L] Phil Wiggins & Corey Harris

[Michelle LeFree <mlefree@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Phil Wiggins just posted this review of his duet act with Corey Harris 
on his Facebook page:

http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/bluenotes/archive/2010/03/29/corey-harris-phil-wiggins-sparkle-for-calliope.aspx

I'm just tickled to death knowing that one of my harp heroes has found a 
suitable partner. Phil Wiggins is just one sweet gentleman, and as a 
harp player he is up in the stratosphere as anyone who has ever heard 
him play is well aware. A humble man and great and generous teacher, my 
heart was doubly broken for him last March when his long-time partner, 
John Cephas, left this world. Phil lost both a constant companion and 
long-time partner as well as one of the last living proponents of the 
alternating thumb-base fingerpicking style of the Piedmont region (we 
also recently lost Archie Edwards). John was a beautiful person in his 
own right, also a great and generous teacher, and totally dedicated to 
the Piedmont blues heritage. I was incredibly fortunate to meet and 
spend time with both of them and to study under Phil at the sadly now 
defunct Telluride Acoustic Blues Camp a few years back.

Now Phil has teamed up with the terrific Corey Harris (whom I also met 
through that Telluride Acoustic Blues Camp). From the content of that 
review, they are well on their way to establishing some momentum for the 
act to last into the future. And that makes me very happy. Not only do I 
know that Phil has found a viable outlet to display his extraordinary 
skills, but the numbers of new acoustic blues duo acts are multiplying. 
I know of four out there touring now: Wiggins & Harris, Dermody & Bibb, 
Filisko & Noden and Ball & Sultan. That means that four of my most 
"favoretest" harp playing personalities are out spreading the joy of 
classic acoustic blues harmonica music with four equally gifted 
singer/guitar players. I wish I could catch each and every performance!

I recall another list member achieving some successes with an acoustic 
guitar playing partner, but I can't for the life of me recall who it was 
(I'm sure there's more than one, too). Can y'all help me remember? Also 
if there are other acoustic blues duos out there I'd surely like to know 
about them -- I do dearly love that genre! I know I'm just ignorant or 
short-sighted not being able to list any European duos. There are many 
great European acoustic harpers that I know of but I'm unaware of 
whether they play regularly in duos ore not: Greg Zlap, Steve Baker, Lee 
Sankey, Ben Hewett, Ben Bouman. I know that all y'all Harp-L'ers can 
educate me! :-)

Michelle