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#1
11-27-2020, 04:42 AM
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A fortunate meeting, remembered.
On April 16, 2017 I got an invitation to meet Ben Harper at John Monteleone's shop. John & I have a very long friendship going back to 1972 when I taught him Dobro in exchange for a new guitar neck.....but I digress.....
Ben was picking up a custom 16" archtop lap slide that John made for him, the next day. Though I arrived mid afternoon, as luck would have it they had been so busy with talking, etc that Ben still hadn't seen his instrument. I was very fortunate to bear witness to the moment, which I video recorded. I hope Ben will one day make it public, but I will say that it defines the Yiddish words 'kvelling' & 'verklempt'; Ben was both! If you'd have told me back then that Ben would ask me to arrange one of his early instrumentals, and later on write liner notes for one of my CD's, I'd have been very skeptical. Now I'm just awed, and thankful. If you enjoy good interviews, Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers did a beautiful job interviewing Ben in the latest edition of Acoustic Guitar Magazine. Highly recommended reading for guitar nut cases like us! John took this shot moments after Ben caught his breath. 
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My New Website! 
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#2
11-27-2020, 09:49 AM
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I just finished reading that article in AG magazine. Another fine guitar story, plus the background to his instrumental album, featuring that guitar.
What a treat for you. Along with nice stories of your own. Over and over, I read these stories where a small music store and/or luthier have a huge impact. That's no surprise to those of us "in the know". But it's nice to see such stories put out to a broader audience. I read every interview in AG mag, and many of the interviewees mention having spent time at a small music store/open mic........ John
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~~~~~Bird is the Word~~~~~ Martin D-41, Larrivee L-19; Gibson L-130; Taylor 614-ce-L30; R Taylor 2 H&D Custom OM; Bauman 000 Cervantes Crossover I; Kenny Hill 628S; Rainsong Shorty SGA; CA GX Player, Cargo; Alvarez AP70; Stella, 12-string; 2 Ukes; Gibson Mandola; Charango, couple electrics
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#3
11-27-2020, 10:38 AM
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...cool stuff Howard...so is that side port on the lower bout of Bens guitar for the purpose of directing the sound to a microphone?....or just to get the sound out to listeners in an acoustic environment...or both...likely both right?...
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#4
11-27-2020, 11:09 AM
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Quote:
:-) Howard
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My New Website!
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#5
11-27-2020, 11:41 AM
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Sweet story, thanks for sharing.
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#8
11-27-2020, 05:54 PM
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Quote:
 Sweet low end. And...
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#9
11-27-2020, 06:55 PM
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Great story, Howard!
I love hearing stuff like this! And that guitar that Ben has on his lap -- Holy Cow!!! - Glenn
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My You Tube Channel
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#10
11-27-2020, 07:02 PM
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Great story. I live not too far from his parents’ folk center. Went to the 60th anniversary party a few years ago. He and his mom handed out cake to us. Best part of the night aside from great music was standing in line behind and chatting with David Lindley as we waited to get in.
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#11
11-27-2020, 07:19 PM
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Definitely a great story!
The first time I heard him was around 1996. I was in a used CD store (remember them?) and I heard this soulful guitar playing and singing over the store's speakers. Asked the salesperson what was on, she said Ben Harper, and I left with one of his CDs.
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