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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Jimi Lee and Paul Oscher shows in Austin
Jimi Lee and Paul Oscher shows in Austin
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kudzurunner
5842 posts
Jan 10, 2016
8:31 AM
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I had a wonderful time watching and sitting in with Jimi Lee at the Four Seasons in downtown Austin last night. It was an upscale hotel lounge; he was playing duo format, with a bass player who had a long history as a NYC jazz player and worked with Johnny Winter during the 1990s.
The first 6-8 songs were Sinatra tunes. JL was playing guitar, singing, with harp in a rack mount through the PA. His melodic playing was stunningly good. He used the major seventh in every song; after the set, he told me he'd been using a country tuned harp. His version of "Girl From Ipanema"--which modulates through three keys--was jaw dropping. He's one of a kind.
He got me up to sit in and we played "Fannie Mae," "Watermelon Man," "Sugar," and "Bag's Groove." He played harmony harp behind my lead melody. We sounded like two horns, especially on WM. I'm hoping we can record a few songs at some point.
That was last night. On Friday night, we went to Antone's, where we saw Paul Oscher and his big band--guitar, bass, drums, and three tenor saxes. Badass sound! Paul's version of "Juke," which was at a notably relaxed tempo, swung hard. One of the very best I've heard. (Aki's is the other.) It was like being taken to school. The fact that he played the whole thing that well while also playing guitar is quite remarkable. He also played some incredible slide, going way up high like Duane Allman at the end of one song.
Both guys had the ability to play guitar and harp unison parts--twin leads. (Jimi sometimes plays harmony parts.) They're both exceptionally good guitarists in very different ways. Jimi Lee's sweet spot is jazz chording; Paul's is the deep slow Muddy-blues grooves.
Austin's got it going on.
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Michael Rubin
1098 posts
Jan 10, 2016
8:40 AM
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I wish I knew you were here, I had a Friday set close to Antones from 8:30pm to 9:45. Maybe you could've done both.
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kudzurunner
5843 posts
Jan 10, 2016
9:11 AM
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Nah, that's alright, I was having a late dinner with friends. Next time.
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florida-trader
861 posts
Jan 10, 2016
10:32 AM
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Jimi Lee is just an amazing talent. He is as comfortable with his guitar and harp in a rack as a duck on a pond. They are a part of him. It is seamless. It is a pleasure to watch and listen. At SPAH, he is the "Go to" guy. In addition to doing his own solo act, he accompanies and/or fills in with whomever whenever he is needed. And it always sounds like they've been playing together for years. And then he leads jam sessions in the lobby, the hallways or anywhere else there's room.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
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