in Pencil Music

I’d never heard Jason Ricci perform prior to yesterday – this guy plays a mean harmonica. From the second he stepped on stage it was pure blues magic. The band was extremely tight, with each member playing a crucial role in the development of the songs. Unlike many blues bands where the rhythm section carries everything, I thought this band was very well balanced from a creative standpoint. Ricci’s voice holds a great space in the band, and adds a darker touch to the otherwise upbeat songs.

One of the best highlights was Shawn Starski on guitar. His solos and rhythm playing have a unique voice. Guitar Player Magazine named him within “The Top Ten Hottest New Guitar Players” in 2008, and they are spot on. This guy was rippin’ through the set.

Ricci runs his harmonica through an effects channel, and on several occasions I was pleasantly surprised with the different sounds he was able to accomplish through added gain and octaves. I’ll leave you with this self explanatory clip:

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