Other web Sites
Harmonica Blues  Harmonica Amps
Harmonica Links Harmonica Pages
• Archives Home
• Years
 · 1992
 · 1993
 · 1994
 · 1995
 · 1996
 · 1997 		 · 1998
 · 1999
 · 2000
 · 2001
 · 2002
 · 2003
 
Web HarpL
Ebay Searches:
Amps:
Microphones:
Effects:
Harmonicas and Gear:
Harmonica Music and Instruction:

 

 

Harp-L Archives

[Previous Message] [Next Message]
[Next in Thread]
[Start of Thread] [End of Thread]

Date: Sat, 3 Nov 2001 23:49:56 -0600
From: "TD"
Subject: Chris Michalek Live

Tonight I had the good fortune to hear Chris Michalek play live. He told me
about the gig earlier in the week and said it was a family place so I packed
up the wife and kids and headed to the big city. The little burger joint he
was playing in was packed to the gills and we waited for over an hour to get
a table! They seated us on a platform in the corner that had 2 tables. It
didn't take me long to realize that I was seated right on the stage! Soon
they cleared the other table out and Chris and his guitarist arrived. I
introduced myself and found him to be a very warm person. I was a bit
embarrassed that we were seated right on his stage but he seemed to take it
in stride and proceeded to show me some of his Filiskos.

Now, its great to finally meet a player who you admire, but to get to sit
right next to him, within 2 feet of him while he plays, is like being in a
clinic - except for the fact that the music is so overpowering that you
forget to watch every move he makes and close your eyes and...enjoy!

I had heard mp3's of Chris's playing but hearing him live is much
different than hearing a recording. I was a bit surprised at how warm and
sweet his tone was and it sure wasn't the gear! Additionally, I was
surprised that he played a lot of standards and played them with great
lyricism. I've heard and played (on trumpet) a lot of jazz in my life and
Chris is a jazzman. He plays beautifully stated heads and improvises on the
changes like any sax or trumpet player...only he is playing a Richter tuned
diatonic! Even though I have only been playing harp for 9 months, I know how
difficult (utterly impossible) it is to play the long fluid lines he was
playing. I couldn't hear the overblows and blowbends in those runs. To us
mere mortals the limitations of the instrument can be very frustrating with
all the changes a jazz tune has. I had just been trying to play along with
a Billie Holliday CD the night before with very little success (big
surprise). It's amazing to see and hear someone seemingly effortlessly fly
though the same changes.

I regret that I could only stay for one set because of a very ansy
7-year-old. Hopefully Chris will have gig some weekend night when I can make
it without the kids.
/Tim
sixtiesja~ahoo.com