I became entranced with the gorgeous pitch bending sound of Chinese folk music a few years ago. To play it with the authentic expression of traditional instruments like the Hulusi and Erhu, I had to create several entirely new harmonicas. This album is the result:
Truly amazing ... still sounds like chinese music ... but tone is very differ, than traditional instruments do. It's seems like successful experiment of transposing traditional western instrument to eastern music!
I grew up listening to eastern-influenced music and the demo brought me back to my childhood listening to Osamu Kitajima.
Excellent work, I want this album!
Brendan, are there MP3s available?
And why is there a slide on the harmonica on the album cover? I know you did one piece in China a while ago for which you used a highly modified Suzuki Chromatic, but the note says you play modded Sub30s on this album....
@ arzajac: I didn't say SUB30s, I said X-Reed harps. They can come in various flavours and formats... Re the photo: half the tracks on the album are played on a modified chromatic with a slider :-)
8:00 pm Hammond Organ Performance 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Hilton Stage East
Featuring the following artists: Dr. Lonnie Smith – Hammond jazz and funk legend Larry Goldings – keyboard/organist for James Taylor, among others Jim Beard – of Steely Dan Terry Lawless – of U2 & Pink Chester Thompson – of Santana, Tower of Power Marty Grebb - played with Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Chicago C.J. Vanston – LA studio legend Freddie Ravel – of Santana Michel Benebig – international Jazz artist Jimmie Smith – Gospel, Jazz & R&B artist Anthony Williams - Gospel & international Jazz artist (Gospel Dr. Bobby Jones) Jon Hammond – Jazz artist Glenn Stewart – Jazz artist Brendan Power – Jazz Harmonica
" I had to create several entirely new harmonicas. " Do you make new harmonicas because you can or do you due to necessity after trying to make the same music on traditional tunings for hours?
I always enjoy your music & also enjoy Eastern musics.
@1847: Gnarly is correct, plans have changed and Rob Paparozzi will be there instead. Make sure to catch his sets with the Hammond (made by Suzuki for a long time now) - will be great.
@RyanMortos: I had to come up with new tunings & designs out of necessity as no existing harps could give the right flavours for Chinese music. I tried to play the same way as the Erhu and Hulusi, which are both great instruments. Check 'em out on YouTube!
Last Edited by on Jan 19, 2013 6:06 AM
