Oisin
212 posts
Apr 21, 2009
2:19 AM
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Most of the UK harpers will have heard of Steve "West" Weston but in case any of you other guys have not heard of him, have a look at this clip and be amazed.
Steve lives 2 streets away from me, customises his own harps and gives lessons. He is also a great piano player.
Check this out. I can't embed it as this function has been disabled.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2T2qUIic1g
Oisin
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KingoBad
35 posts
Apr 21, 2009
5:59 AM
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Holy Crap...He plays with such a monster sound that it sounds like there are 2 of him. I love it when the guitar player just takes a break. I think if he could play the drums with his feet he wouldn't need anyone else in his band. Thanks for letting us know about him!
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Oxharp
74 posts
Apr 21, 2009
9:23 AM
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Hi Oisin.
I am so jealous of you being so close I am in Oxford.
Do you have lessons?
I was thinking about getting some form steve.
I think he is great and his sound is my goal no matter how long it takes.
I have been a fan since I saw this clip ages ago.
For those who do not know.
He is an exclusive Tougue Blocker even in 1st position on the high notes. He also switches to the left on the one hole.
He has been playing for 33 years and also plays the B3 Hammond Organ.
How do I know all this,well He borrowed my Harp Commander III to try and made me a custom MB in A for my troubles. Great Harp and very cheap for a custom.
Why but a MB Delux when for about the same price you can get a custom from him.
I have 4 of his harps now and they play great.
I have seen him several times and have pestered him for as much information as I could.
There is nothing he does not know about the sound and the gear and the mics.He has helped me so much.
He played through a Fender Bassman 59 RI Modified by Mark Burness (Excellent Amp Tech and Harp Player. if you want more info let me know) With crystal mics. He now uses a Fender Bassman RI Stock and a variety of mics but not crytal anymore as they go bad.
If you are in the UK you must go and see him at the Aint Nothin But Blues Club in London. I went there last Saturday and he did 3 x one hour Plus sets.
He plays there about 2 to 3 times a month.
http://www.aintnothinbut.co.uk/
The place was absolutely rammed and he had them all in the palm of his hand from the first note.
Excellent showman and and excellent fella. He has definately paid his dues.
I have several vids of him on my you tube site. Please check him out as he is in my opinion one of the best UK
harp players around. He plays a real mean chromatic also. He is up there with all the greats.
check these :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAwnSFbg7mY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab99Ug0XQ6U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSpSJH-Qk5c
I have asked him where are the cd's to buy but he has sadly never made one.
I will be taking more vids of him the next time I go down to London so stay tuned west fans.
great post Oisin
Last Edited by on Apr 21, 2009 9:29 AM
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Oisin
213 posts
Apr 21, 2009
11:49 AM
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Hey Russ..I have had a lesson with him and to be honest I sat with my jaw on the floor for most of it. He is the nicest bloke you'll meet and showed me loads of new stuff in the couple of hours I was with him.
He showed me how to play 3rd position, how to play the Chromatic using octaves and taught me about how to get a great sound at the start of my notes...just so much stuff I couldn't take it all in. And his tone is to die for. I was just sitting down for a cuppa with him when my missus rang and told me I'd locked her out of the house so I had to leave but I'll be back!!
As I was leaving he lent me a set of Jerry Portnoy cds and a Charlie McCoy video, just a reaaly kind gent.
I listen to the above clip at least once a fortnight as it is a huge inspiration for me...9 minutes solid playing and hardly repeats himself.
I'll tell him you were asking about him next time I see him.
I have a compliation cd from a local blues club called the juke joint and there is a recording of him on there from his old group the Adjabs. If you let me know your address I'll get you a copy (local record shop is selling them for 99p) and send it to you.
Oisin
Oisin
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bluzlvr
168 posts
Apr 21, 2009
1:32 PM
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I've become a big fan of West Weston from the YouTube vids. Those guys swing like crazy. They would be right at home here in L.A.
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Bb
44 posts
Apr 21, 2009
1:55 PM
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I've been watching his stuff for months now on YouTube. I think he's a really inventive player and great showman. One of my fave's of today for sure!
-Bob
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Patrick Barker
243 posts
Apr 21, 2009
4:00 PM
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reminds me a bit of Kim Wilson
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"Without music, life would be a mistake" -Nietzsche
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