COMMENTS BY JOE LEONE RE: ALABAMA HARMONICA FESTIVAL 5/11 - 5/13, 2006

 

Ahh, where to begin?

 

On Wed., Cass & I pulled out of SW Fla for the 13 hr (time zone change) 

trip. We brought along slidemeister Ron Burton whose car was sick.

 

Thursday started out with a bang at 11 am and they went right into the 

entertainment. Fri, they started the same thing at 9 am. Same thing 

Sat. It seemed like there was continuous entertainment from the get-go 

with seminars weaved and interspersed in between and also running 

concurrent.

 

Society Boys. Shelly Lulov, Tom Scerbo, Phil Caltebellotta. These guys 

are friends and so I don't want it to seem like I'm giving them undue 

accolades, so I will settle for FANTASTIC. Some really difficult 

arrangements of some tricky tunes and everything worked just peachey. I 

would have had a stroke attempting this stuff.

 

A POSTING FROM HARRY FEINBERG, one of the surviving members of Borrah Minevitch's Harmonica Rascals 2/28/04

Hi Shelly,

Just sitting here at the computer giving some thought to the last GSHC meeting. Before all the activity started, you whispered to me that you have a great arrangement of 'Take 5'.
I knew the number, having played it for many years myself. I sat there wondering how the three of you would play it together, being it's written in 5/4 time. Well sir, if I wore a cap I would have taken it off to the three of you. It was done to perfection. I listened eagerly.
You and Tommy hit it off with the rhythm of a Dave Brubeck, and Phil rode around in his usual manor, with the ease of an Artie Shaw. Nothing short of terrific. My compliments.
I feel extremely proud of you. You're a great blend...........
 
Don't feel that I am trying to tell you what to play, BUT, I'd love to hear an arrangement on 'Girl From Ipanema' , 'Brazil,' 'Wave'............
 
Be well guys. I sincerely wish you good luck. If and when you get a T.V. shot, please let me know. I'll be listening.............
 
Regards..........oldrascal           Harry...........
 

 

 

 

A POSTING TO SLIDEMEISTER 10/27/03 BY BILL PRICE

RE:  GSHC FESTIVAL 2003:

 

My friends--more like family--the Society Boys--well, they were a class act

with roses in their lapels and performance that still amazes me each time I

watch them. This time I got to hear Monte's Czardas--one of my favorites,

and their classic opener, "Sweet Georgia Brown," seems to get faster each

time. I had the chance to do a simple repair for Phil and you'd have thought

I made him a brand new harmonica. It's a pleasure to help friends.

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AN EMAIL FROM ONE OF THE  SURVIVING MEMBERS OF BORRAH MINEVITCH'S HARMONICA RASCALS

9/8/03

Hi Shelly, Phil and Tom,

I just had to E-mail you to let you know that you made a tremendous hit last Thursday night at our convention at the Clarion Hotel, Edison, New Jersey. You guys 'knocked their socks off', including mine!!!!
I was completely floating in mid air after your very first number. The applause was tremendous and it kept getting louder after every number. Each selection was better than the preceding one. Your music is polished and blended in beautifully. What more can I say??
 
Last year when I announced to our members that we will have a harmonica trio entertaining us, I heard some snickers coming from the audience. Those same people came up to me and apologized for their actions of a year ago. The harmonica is still looked upon as being a street corner penny whistle. You guys showed our members what can be done with that lowly kids instrument. Congratulations, I'm very proud of you..............Don't ever stop making people happy with your music.............
 
Thanks boys, I appreciate what you've done for us...........
 
oldrascal Harry Feinberg...... 4th Armored Division Association....
 

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January 27, 2003

 

Hi Shelly,

I sent this note to Slidemeister this morning.

Hi Slidemeisters,

Yesterday, the Society Boys gave a concert in Great Neck, NY at the Great
Neck House.  What a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.  It was an
intimate room with about 200 peple and the sound was SUPERB. The program was
a mixture of the kind of music that shows off what an accomplished trio can
do.  When I say accomplished, I really mean polished.

Phil Caltabellotta is always in great form and yesterday was no
exception....he was at the top of his form.  He plays with the tranquil ease
of effortless superiority.  He makes it look easy but we players know better
than that.  Tom Scerbo put down a solid bass line and Shelly Lulov filled in
the chords.  Ensemble playing requires a precise sense of playing together
and without a good foundation, this is difficult to do.  Tom and Shelly did
exactly that.  There is no doubt in my mind that these guys practice a lot
together. 

This was a fun filled, entertaining Sunday afternoon.  It was obvious that
the three were having fun doing their thing and the audience just loved
them. If the room were more spacious, the audience would be dancing in the
aisles.

John Savas

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Thank You Letter from Mr & Mrs Zamchick dated May 12, 2003:

 

Dear Shelly, Tom & Phil,

 

You added such richness to our party.  It is really incredible what sounds come from your instruments. 

Thank goodness for Ellen Singer.  We were just so lucky to discover you guys.  Thank you, thank you!

You also looked great!  I'm looking forward to viewing what there is of a video to catch everything I

missed that day.  What a class act!

 

All the best,

Cathy, Gary, Zach & Sofie