|
Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Deak Harp at Urbana Blues Fest
Deak Harp at Urbana Blues Fest
Page:
1
dougharps
83 posts
Jun 26, 2011
1:15 PM
|
At the Urbana Blues, Brews, and BBQ fest this weekend in Urbana, Illinois, Deak Harp played his OMB with rack harp, diddly bow, and drum/stomp box, and he was awesome!
I have seen and heard Deak with bands many times, and saw him doing his OMB approach down in Clarksdale and Oxford at HCH2. I have always appreciated and respected Deak's ability. I play a different style, and he acknowledges that some of the stuff I play he can't, and vice-verse.
But this weekend the groove he created and the tongue block technique I heard from Deak was beyond anything I have ever seen or heard: in person, on recording, or on video. I wish I had taken my camera and shot video.
Deak totally engaged crowds of passersby, and really worked the crowd, keeping people fascinated and adding to his "gas money" box. He would sit on the stool, then stand up, slow the groove, then jump it up in speed and intensity.
He had amazing tone and used his multi-instrumental approach to great effect to create some nasty groove-based primitive blues, most songs centering around one chord. He had the harp in a rack with his own mic setup on the harp rack that sounded just like a cupped CM or CR bullet mic. He would sing/shout through a vocal mic.
The music that he played used TB techniques that lip blockers like myself could in no way copy without adopting tongue block technique. I play double stops and chords, and I have seen Adam's video on the two techniques. You would have to use full tongue block technique and be really good at it to play what he played. There was so much subtle nuance to notes/chords he was playing. What on the surface seemed like simple patterns were incredibly complex musical statements.
I just had to share this... I wish I had shot video. A lot of people were shooting video, so maybe some will show up.
----------
Doug S.
|
Miles Dewar
983 posts
Jun 26, 2011
3:35 PM
|
How far is Urbana from Lake County? I'll have to get out there sometime.
----------
---Go Chicago Bears!!!---
|
Miles Dewar
984 posts
Jun 26, 2011
3:38 PM
|
Nevermind. It's right next to Champagne. That is a long ride and I would have to take an Amtrak (If it goes to Champagne).
Man.... It sounds like a smokin' hot time.
Go Decatur Staleys!!!!!
Last Edited by on Jun 26, 2011 3:40 PM
|
dougharps
84 posts
Jun 26, 2011
4:22 PM
|
I don't know about next year's lineup.
There is Amtrak to Champaign.
Here is what the main stage lineup was:
Friday June 24th
5:30 - 6:30 Keith Harden (formerly local player)
7:00 - 8:30 Guitar Shorty
9:00 - 10:30 Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials
then indoors:
10:30 - 12:30 The Kinsey Report
Saturday June 25th
12:00 - 1:00 Kings Highway ( a Central Illinois band)
1:30 - 2:45 Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat
3:15 - 4:30 John Primer
5:00 - 6:30 Jimmy Thackery
7:00 - 8:30 Duke Robbilard
9:00 - 10:30 Coco Montoya
then indoors:
10:30 - 12:30 The Chris Duarte Group
There was a small stage with music workshops, including beginner harmonica with free harps taught by Joe Asselin formerly of Kilborn Alley, now with the Sugar Prophets. A prodigy guitar player Matthew Curry also played the small stage.
The only big name stage act with harp was John Primer, who had Russ Green on harp. The band played a more Chicago style blues and Russ Green was good.
It was great to walk a few blocks and be able to see great talent like what was in town this weekend. Coco Montoya ended with having Jim Suhler and Jimmy Thackery play the last few songs in a guitar showcase. It was a free festival, with a requested $3.00 donation!
Deak played up the street between shows, right in front of his motor home, and he drew a good crowd. People couldn't stand still, and started moving to his groove.
----------
Doug S.
|
Post a Message
|
