Re: [Harp-L] cool horn band w/harp

[Michelle LeFree <mlefree@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In a happy coincidence mere days after being alerted by Rosco, I jumped 
on the opportunity to see "Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds," who 
appeared in a free concert last night only 25 miles from where I live in 
the Colorado outback, of all places! I had never heard of the band until 
Rosco put them on my radar, and I would have undoubtedly missed a 
terrific show were it not for him and Harp-L. Thanks Rosco! And Harp-L 
strikes again!

Since Jackson Kincheloe, the bands harper, is on the "L," I knew his 
e-mail address and took the liberty of e-mailing him ahead of time to 
tell him about the cool, high-altitude venue (scenic Ridgway, Colorado, 
where they filmed the original "True Grit). I introduce myself to him as 
he was setting up his gear on stage (which I'll describe in a moment). 
Very approachable, personable and friendly, I could tell the band is in 
good hands (in addition to being the lead singer's brother, he's also 
the tour manager). He seemed to appreciate having a "harmonica kindred 
spirit" around.

As advertised by Rosco, this horn band is the real deal. Baritone and 
alto sax'es, trombone and trumpet round out the horn section, and 
there's also bass and electric guitars in the mix along with Jackson on 
harp. All are very accomplished musicians who form an uncannily "tight" 
group. Seems to me Jackson has a thing or two to say about driving a 
harp to compete with a very active (read loud) horn section. He uses a 
little Harpgear II which he mic's to the PA as well as using it as a 
stage monitor  right at his feet. Ahead of that he has an effects board 
with about 4-5 pedals on it (you'll have to ask him what they are; I 
really wouldn't know one if I got bit by it). His mic' looked like an 
SM-57 with a Samson wireless unit. I can tell you that he does use them 
all to good effect. Being a harp nut, I would have liked to hear him 
better in the mix, a problem no doubt due to the sound man. He did seem 
to get drowned out a bit when the horns were really cranked up.  All in 
all, he held his own quite well with the horns, even with the mix as it was.

Of course, the most striking thing about the band other than their tight 
arrangements and killer horns, is the petite little singer. Arleigh 
Kincheloe sings like a woman three times her size. Amazingly, this 
little wisp of a gal is able to front this powerful band quite well, 
thank you very much. There's little question who the real star of the 
band is, though I must admit to being more captivated by the quality of 
the musicianship and how tightly the guys play together.

After the show, Jackson and I chatted a little while. He lamented 
blowing out another Ab harp that night, allowing how painful that was 
because since there are so many band members, each person is paid 
relatively little per gig. He seems pretty well wired into the harmonica 
community, sharing stories about Jason Ricci (his greatest influence) 
Wade Schuman, and Joe Filisko, amongst others. A very nice and 
personable young man indeed, Jackson Kincheloe, and I might mention very 
handsome up close!

One last thing. The one song that clearly got the crowd up and shakin' 
things the most was Jackson's chugging train song intro. Backed by ample 
amounts of electronic processing, he wowed the audience and got them all 
to their feet. It's a great thing to watch when a little harmonica in 
the right hands can get a crowd really pumped even in the midst of an 
evening of hot horn band music!

I second Rosco: See 'em if you can!

Michelle