[Harp-L] SPAH50 and Michel Herblin ...

[Patrice Rayon <stpat95@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I was glad to see that for the 50th birthday of SPAH, Marko Balland was back. 
Was also very happy to see that Michel Herblin, who is one of the local harmonicistes most respected in France, to be invited for the SPAH convention.

But I realized that at the concert of Michel Herblin in Orly room between 16:15 and 17:00 there was not so many people. 
Was a bit sad because for someone who is so rare to see for real in USA, that was a very good oportunity to discover about him, his music, and what he can bring to all of us...

So I take the liberty to display here few links of videos from Internet just to give a small idea of the diversity, the qualities of this guy who represent for me a Maestro of the harmonica around the world (my opinion). Perhaps there are not the best, but this is just to encourage you to search more about this Great player (The reactions of most of the best and respected players from SPAH at the end of his performance conforted me in what I thought about my appreciation of Michel Herblin)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzkPoWGCyXY&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qFJzbfntYo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ABvUf8w1GA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No3yfUU9hDA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc8sLN7bvsw
Famous inspiration selection of JJ Milteau (played at SPAH) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P6QpyXAW1g
If some of you can understand French : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa8nWT8K5Oo

If you want to try and play "Gadget Boogie" Tune of Michel Herblin, here is a good video of Patrick Hannak (other french player) to help you with explanations both in english and french: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LMCI_EBJvc

I was impressed of the program of SPAH50 2013... Met lots of people, had real fun, could meet Winslow, JP Pagan (hope make solid links with them to try to do my best in France to relay what SPAH is doing, and bring some help, report things happening here etc !...) . As a friend of Festivals organizers in France, Belgium etc...mainly Europe french speaking areas, I know how much it is difficult to make a choice, to organize such events like SPAH which was Huge ! Congratulation and thanks to all the SPAH benevols and especialy Winslow Yerxa and Elizabeth Atkison... 

About Michel, never know, perhaps one day more people could discover about his universe which can be hours, and he might be sometime in the SPAH "program of events", as a performer :) ... Depends on the criterias.

Thanks as well for the table in the dinner... Robert Koch and Me had the very best places in front of the stage :) ...
Also one of my best time in USA (apart visiting St Louis which is a beautifull and interresting place) was really to meet Jery Devillier, and people form Louisiana and learn some Cajun Tune "J'ai passé devant la porte" which means in english, "I passed in front of your door" .... 
I was happy to enter the front of SPAH door :) and have to learn some more cajun now (because I really enjoyed). Hope to come back sometime even next year 

Patrice Rayon