Jeff Silverman did NOT ask me to pitch this, but I'm happy to pitch it anyway. I'm simply a huge fan of Galison's playing. I'm pleased to call him a friend of 25 years, and I wish I was living in NYC because I would willingly pay full price to listen to him talk and play for a couple of hours. Philly people: you should find a way of driving up for this one. He is one of the best--and most musical--chromatic players on the planet. He's one of the greatest musicians on ANY instrument that I've ever heard. (Hint: it's not about technique. It's about whatever it is that technique was put here to serve.)
Here's the event link:
http://harmonica411.com/WillGalison.html
My highest term of praise is: That guy is musical. Because lots of guys have energy, lots of guys have tone, lots of guys have chops. Lots of players are solid, competent, inspired, professional. But the truly musical musicians are much rarer. And William is one of those. I'm not a huge fan of his diatonic playing, frankly. It's not his natural instrument. But on chromatic, he is amazing.
The thing about a musical musician is, it's impossible to envy him. Pure music speaks for itself and makes its own rules. Some people are just put on this planet with a huge extra helping of musicality in them. Mozart was one. Coltrane was one. Stephan Grapelli. Jaco Pastorius. And especially Stevie Wonder. William has some of that Stevie Wonder magic.
I remember going to one show in NYC and watching what I thought was a fantastic set. He came offstage distressed. He told me what the bass player and guitarist were doing wrong. He heard things that I couldn't hear.
He's also the guy who taught me the lesson about being willing to make mistakes for the sake of reaching for something you can't quite do.
He's a very nice guy--a gentleman, but also a passionate musician--and this will be worth the money.
Edited to add: Here's a video that gets some of his magic. This is the kind of stuff that puts to rest all the chatter about "Tongue blocking or lip pursing?!" The music is the point; this kind of playing can help remind us of that:
If this clip doesn't put a song in your heart, your heart has stopped beating and you should immediately seek medical (or musical) care.
Last Edited by on Feb 23, 2010 8:44 PM
I got a Hohner chromatic, say, 3 months ago from my uncle.. It was his grandfathers. Its at least 60 years old. beautiful instrument. Id never even laid eyes on one before, in person. A small squeak on the button (fixed easily) and wow... what can I say? If I wasnt so incredibly intimidated by it, I would try to play it more... great clip Doc, I enjoyed it.. ---------- Kyzer's Travels
I thought it went with out saying that Jersey people, Rockland County people, Westchester people, and Long Island people should attend. I know we've got a lot of Philly people here, too, though, and Philly to Brooklyn ain't no picnic. Thus my pitch.
Ah, indeed. Two thumbs up for Will's work. Glad to see such a fine chromatic player mentioned on the forum. My appreciation
Here's a terrific video of some of the senior players and Will. Their regular "jams" are wonderful -- I wish I could just set in the living room and watch:
