Do you ever struggle with inspiration and self discipline?

I do. More often that I care to admit. One of the reasons that I belong to forums and email lists and have master-mind groups and other ways of connecting with other folks is so I don’t have to deal with these issues alone.

I hope to give you ideas and connections to other people that I find inspiring. I also don’t want to get into a  24/7 all harmonica focus, because that never worked for me. So my emails will be about all sorts of artists and other super-achievers that fire me up. As well as harmonica related information.

For example, last night I went to a concert at the State Theatre in State College, PA. Melody Gardot. God, what a mesmerizing musician! She also has a fabulous band with her on tour. She is one of the all time great vocalists in my opinion, and has a very unique style, sexy, smart, subtle.  She is a Jazz vocalist based in the Philadelphia area.

If you love a great vocalist, and find that inspiring, go check her out. I bought her CD, and there is one tune in particular that translates very well to the diatonic harmonica. It is titled “Who Will Comfort Me” and she wrote it.

She also has a fascinating and inspiring life story, but I will let it go at that for now.

There are a number of non-harmonica recordings that I find absolutely hypnotic and love to play along with. One example is “Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye.

I have the feeling that Melody Gardot is going to end up on my short list of inspiring recordings along with Marvin Gaye.

What are some of your favorite non harmonica recordings? Music you live to play along with that just seems to sit well on the harmonica? Music you put on repeat play?

I would love to find some new gems and share them with others!

Thanks for reading this!

R. Sleigh (6/26/2009)