Re: [Harp-L] (Diatonic) Harmonica in Progressive Rock or Jazz Rock? (Peter Madcat Ruth)

[tacopescado@xxxxxxxxxxx]

I too am a huge fan of Sky King with Madcat. Some of the best diatonic harmonica I've ever heard not to mention the greatness of the other musicians. 

As a college student in the mid-70's with no cable and only over-the-air 13" B&W TV that I rarely watched I stumbled upon a PBS special called Brubeck and Sons. Dave Brubeck mentioned his backup band, mostly Sky King members as "degreed jazz musicians trying to make a living playing funk rock 'n' roll." The next day I went to Tower Records to find the record to no avail. I asked the clerk and he went to the back room and handed me the last copy that they had. I've never seen another.

I was a fledgling harmonica player at the time and was buying any LP that had harmonica on it to grok from. Still have 'em. You name it I probably have it. Sky King and Norton Buffalo's first two LP's helped me bridge between hole 6 & hole 7 fluidly and fluently. Today, a few years later it's second nature. I may have found it on my own but their help expedited the process. I'm forever grateful.

In addition to Sky King, I believe there are two Brubeck and Sons records with Madcat that are also worth the listen.

Kudos to Madcat as one of the best and most pioneering harmonica players of all time. Especially our time.


On Feb 23, 2014, at 2:21 PM, Mike Wilbur <mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> " The best of J.J. Milteau's Harmonica Work "
> 
> I believe is the one your after Richard.....in your ITunes store !
> And your right ....classic is a over used term but....that album may define Jean-Jacques Milteau's  talent.
> 
> Very cool
> 
> 
> 
> Mike Wilbur
> 
> 
> On Feb 23, 2014, at 9:47 AM, Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
>> Sky King was indeed a great band, and anyone who can get their hands on a copy of their album is well advised to do so. 
>> 
>> I was very impressed a few years ago by a jazz-rock album by JJ Milteau; solid tunes, great playing from the harp and the band, completely convincing concept and execution all the way around.  I can't find it right now, so don't remember the name of the record, but perhaps someone can supply it.
>> 
>> Clint Hoover's great record "Dream of the Serpent Dog" is more jazz than jazz-rock, but there are elements of rock in it, and the playing is peerless.  
>> 
>> So much great music, so little time...
>> 
>> Regards, Richard Hunter
>> 
>> 
>> author, "Jazz Harp" (Oak Publications, NYC)
>> Latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://hunterharp.com
>> Vids at http://www.youtube.com/user/lightninrick
>> Twitter: lightninrick
>