kudzurunner
5210 posts
Jan 02, 2015
6:23 AM
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Somebody recently emailed me to note that I'd left Andy Just off this website's honorable mention list. It's more an error of omission than commission, but I reminded the emailer that evidence is required. It's not enough just to point towards AJ's website, which describes him thusly:
"Without a doubt, Andy is the most powerful harp player to come along since James Cotton, and while he can emulate Sonny Boy Williamson one minute and Charlie Parker the next, the fact is that Andy Just is an original, an innovator, and enthralling to catch live or on disk."
(Note: the emailer in question didn't point me towards AJ's website or this passage, but it's one of the first things that came up when I went looking.)
As I've said in this space at least once, and the last time AJ's name was mentioned, I admire his blues-rock power but have been underwhelmed by his blues playing per se.
But I went looking, and I came across this video, which addressed that concern pretty conclusively. Start at the 7:10 point and give it a chance to develop. This is very nice stuff--and certainly something I would point a beginner (or advanced player) towards:
Please use this thread to 1) post other videos that testify to AJ's greatness (and the PR claims; I'm intrigued by the Charlie Parker nod); and 2) point me/us towards the best of his recordings, digitally available or no.
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Jan 02, 2015 6:25 AM
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Fil
11 posts
Jan 02, 2015
6:49 AM
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"My Babe". Couldn't find it on youtube in a quick search.
fil
(I have it on a CD issued 1991, "got Harp, If You Want It.")
Last Edited by Fil on Jan 02, 2015 1:06 PM
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Leatherlips
315 posts
Jan 02, 2015
9:04 PM
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'My Babe' is one of the numbers I play in our band. For me it's an absolute winner, both for me and the audience.
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rbeetsme
1605 posts
Jan 05, 2015
3:07 PM
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Everyone has a list. Much of it is subjective to your own taste. Andy is certainly an entertainer and I really like his singing. On this video, I think he's part of the tune, not just a solo rock star. Heck of a nice guy too. I'd pay to see him. That's how I judge a player.
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kudzurunner
5220 posts
Jan 05, 2015
4:19 PM
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I don't know about a vetting process, but then again: nobody's interested in Andy Just? Hmm. Maybe that tells me something I need to know.
Or maybe everybody's just busy with the New Year.
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barbequebob
2807 posts
Jan 06, 2015
10:25 AM
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He's been a long time veteran of the SF blues scene and a helluva player. I first heard about him on a compilation LP called Blue Bay back in 1975.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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slaphappy
59 posts
Jan 06, 2015
10:31 AM
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I've only seen him play a few times but I think he's great, he just kills that high energy power harp stuff. He's pretty modern too in his approach from what I gather, I would think you'd like him :)
Not a ton of stuff on youtube, this is from his facebook page..
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1538274216592&set=vb.81886700685&type=2&theater
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4' 4+ 3' 2~~~
-Mike Ziemba
Harmonica is Life!
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