Re: [Harp-L] Les is More !,-)

[Rick Dempster <rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thank you for doing this Rob. I have this CD, and it took some chasing to
finally get one sent from Mo Vint. I find it astounding that Don is so very
rarely mentioned on harp-l or anywhere else. I find his stuff just
wonderful. It's all about music and using the instrument as it was
designed to be used. No fancy techniques; just solid playing and great
ideas. I've heard nobody else at all play like Don. It's all there, and all
of us have just missed it. On second thoughts, though I have only heard one
example on diatonic, Joe Leone probably 'gets it', if anyone does.
RD

On 18 September 2012 22:23, Rob Paparozzi <chromboy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Fellow Harpers,
>
> Years ago my good friend Danny Wilson provided me with a copy of this
> recording on Cassette tape, I was blown away!
>
> I always make sure my students know who Don Les was and what he could do
> on a Diatonic Harmonica sans Overblows mostly in 1st Position...Don was a
>  Bass Harmonica Player for Jerry Murad's Harmonicats but loved the Diatonic
> and really mastered this style on it,
>
> Here's a little bio on him:
>
> Don Les (Born Dominic Leshinski, 15 November 1914; Died 25 August 1994,
> Madison, Wisconsin)
>
> "Don Les weighed only one pound at the time of his birth in Lorain, Ohio.
> He died shortly thereafter but was massaged back to life by a quick
> thinking doctor. Don was blind until the age of 12 when an operation
> repaired his vision. During recuperation he was given a trumpet, but he
> bliew out his lip from too much practice. On a dare from a schoolteacher,
> he took up the harmonica and practiced day and night, even in bed under the
> blankets.
>
> Don was the first to play jazz on the harmonica in the 1930's, and the
> first harmonica player in the musician's union. He coined the name
> "Harmonicats", and played bass harmonica for 27 years before emerging as a
> lead player. He has performed with nearly every major brand and on many
> T.V. shows."
>
>
> Also, take note of the Chord & Harmonetta work by the terrific Mo Vint who
> simultaneously played Electric PEDAL Bass on these recordings....this is
> some real heavy musicianship folks and wonderful playing....Today Mo Vint,
> Bud Boblink and Frank Warner tour as the "Cats" and if they are playing
> near you check em out...I see had had a date last May 2012 so hopefully the
> touring will continue!
>
> http://www.harmonicats.net/**index.html<http://www.harmonicats.net/index.html>
>
>
> Someone posted this on the tube, only 645 hits!:
>
> You Tube of the complete Don Les Harmonicats Vol  I & II recordings
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?**v=db9NVm54rX8<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db9NVm54rX8>
>
> Thank You, Thank You Thank You.... Danny Wilson!
>
>
> Enjoy,
> Rob Paparozzi
> www.robpaparozzi.com
>
>


-- 
Rick Dempster
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