Gaunt is backed by a fine band, with keyboard wiz Lester Snell playing a large part in proceedings – he helped with string and horn arrangements and orchestrations. Theirs may not be household names but all participants acquit themselves admirably, providing solid yet unobtrusive support throughout. It’s clearly Gaunt’s show, though, and even though a little harmonica typically goes a long way, he manages to maintain interest with great tone and a genuinely creative approach.
Gaunt is an excellent harmonica player, but there are lots of those around. Harmonicopia succeeds in part thanks to his considerable chops, but it’s Gaunt’s musical curiosity and his ability to pull off the unexpected that sustains interest through repeated plays. He’s definitely one to watch …!
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