I had the pleasure of lending my Bassman to a great Harp Player called Deak Harp late last year.
He put out a request on Harp L for someone in the UK to borrow a Bassman for an imminent UK tour.
I responded saying I would be more than happy. My motive was to see how it performs with a pro player and to get some tips of info regarding harps etc.
I dropped the Bassman off with the lead singers Dad (Tom) in London and got there cd's for my troubles. Very nice man
I could not manage to get to the first gigs and got some time to go see them and meet the guys on their last weekend. There was a good buzz coming from Deak and the band when I spoke to them most days to see how things were.
Man I love these guys. Andy the lead singer has a real bluesy voice and Deaks harp playing is really powerful and has great tone.
I got to see them on the last weekend and ended up following them from a gig in a pub called the North Pole to Charlotte Street for another gig the same night. I got to play a small solo on fire with fire which I will post later. The place was bouncing when they finished and I got to meet Gentle man Tim and the Contenders that night also.(done the vids for Tim)
On their last night I managed to get to their final gig in Croydon at the Oval and had some time with Deak before the gig doing a master class thing. Man he can really get some serious tone out of his chops. He was very humble and gave it all away with no reservations and invited me to do a song called Its a Pity on the night which I feel I did ok but was very nervous on. I hate to hear myself back (I will post vid soon my 4draw was flat and it sounds horrible).
I got a big thank you from the band during the gig as did allsorts of guys who had helped with the tour from lending a PA to driving them around, lots of support for the guys.
Deak offered to custom a new MB for me and gave me some great advice about my amp and TB Playing.
I am waiting for the harp and still keep in contact with Deak mainly.
So my point is I had a great time, learnt a lot and met some really great people along the way. I am into the old Karma thing and definitely reaped more than I sowed.
here are a few of the vids
Deak does a fantastic Train on the last Vid
enjoy
---------- Oxharp
Last Edited by on Feb 25, 2010 1:19 AM
@oxharp Great vids thanks for posting, bassman sounds very good. Quite an original take on the train I thought ,complete with hissing steam.
Russ, how did you stand with regards to insurance on lending your bassman? What I mean is if there had been damage to your amp while it was in Deak's possesion where do you stand?
I ask this because it can be a real issue in my experience. Hope to see you in Bristol soon Nick
I put my trust in Deak and good Karma. If it had been busted I know Deak would have sorted it out. I went with my gut instinct after talking at length to Tom who organised the gig and is lecturing in London.
Sometimes you just got to trust these things.
Its a weakness of mine but like I said I got out of it more than I put in so in the end I was very happy.
Yeah hope to see you guys soon in Bristol. Say Nick do you know whats happened to John Vaughn is he still about.He is not answering my email ---------- Oxharp
Last Edited by on Feb 25, 2010 6:01 AM
Kilborn Alley rules! Our local blues society hired them for our New Year's Eve party. A great bunch of guys. And Deak does indeed give it all away. If the custom you have coming is anything like the one he let me try,you're in for a treat. Now I know what a good custom's like. Like driving a Miata vs. a 2 ton truck with no power steering.
Kilborn Alley is a local band here were I live. I have seen them numerous times and have always enjoyed the show. I was glad to see/hear Deak join the band. ----------
"I have a high tolerance for boredom as long as it has a groove" - Scrapboss
Hey Ox my man, This band are great, they are beardmungusly bluesrocktastic!, as always an act of allturism will pay you back dividends and i scored from your generosity as well cos ive nicked some of Deaks licks! keep on harpin, cheers geordie
My ears were ringing ... Did someone say they nicked my lick's?.... Wow thanks for the compliment ...I try to be as original as i can .. in my playing ... But you just can't not play some of the great licks ....Many years of hearing the greats helped me ....And it dident hurt to work for James Cotton for 6 yrs and folowed him for 5 before that ... And he dident mind showing me anything i asked ...If you want to nick some more of my lick's ...Romor has it ... If sales pick up for the Mis harmonica homecoming weekend ... I will be added to the Lineup ... who are all my personal friends ... in the blues world ....So make them Resorvations to come on down .... It's going to be a great thing ... And i will say verry reasonable price ..Cant wait to meet every harp player in the whole world .....
Scrapboss have we ever met ? We play a DR Diggers every wed when we arent on the road ....come on down and bring yur Whistles ....and say hi to me ........
Anyway we meet at the Blues Fest in Peoria. We were talking customizing and you had to leave before the pay window shut down for the night. We didn't get a chance to finish our conversation.
Email me @ scrapboss82(at)hotmail(dot)com
I am still interested in the customs you are making. ----------
"I have a high tolerance for boredom as long as it has a groove" - Scrapboss
