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Location: NJ | lately on Saturday nights I have been sitting in with my nephew at a local Coffeehouse. Some of you know that a good friend and jamming partner died a few years ago. He used the name "Nightwolf". (aka John Nelson)
Well the third person in that trist was "Harmonica" Bob Small. He unfortunately was in a near fatal accident 8 or so months prior to John's untimely passing. He was hit while riding a bicycle and suffered a concussion. To make matters worse, he was also robbed and beaten to near dead while he lay injured at the curb.
At Nightwolf's funeral, I saw Bob for the first time since his accident and it was very evident that his brain injury was severe. He could barely talk and when he did he stuttered and his speech was very deliberate and he literally had to have his brain tell each leg to move so he could walk. Sad sad times.
In the subsequent months I would shoot Bob a word of encouragement here and there via e mail. He could no longer play the harp and was extremenly depressed. I hung the guitar up for a while myself.
Well in the past few months I was getting a message that Bob was out for a jam or auditioning for a band etc. I didn't know what to think about it until he showed up at the coffeehouse last weekend, Harps, jt 30 and gibson ga20 in tow.
Well, Bob walked in as my nephew and I were completeing our open mic set so I immediately got him to pull out the harps and joined us. Not even a chance to say "hi"
We did roadhouse blues and sweet home chicago and although there was some hesitation there were glimpses of the old Bob back. He played well, there is still a way for him to go to get it all back but we had a great time trading guitar and Harp licks back and forth much like we did back when John was alive.
To say this made my weekend was an understatement. I always loved Bob's playing but did have some issues with some of his "work habits". As he said saturday, "you have a sharp wit, Al". what can I say other then "I'm from Jersey"
Well, Bob's wife Mona was almost in tears, as we were playing, it brought back a lot of emotion and past good times. She also told me Bob was excited all week to come out and see me again and jam. bob and I always had a connection while we played that Is one that only musicians know about. That sorta telepathic way of thinking where you seem to know where the other's next riff is going to go and you play off of that.
I am assured that I would see more of Bob in the future and that really mnade me happy.
Harmonica Bob is back!!!!
(glad his mother did not name him clarinet bob, or oboe bob, or.....) |
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Location: East Tennessee | Al,
Great story. Thanks for sharing. :cool: |
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Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | A happy ending!!! Al, H.B. is obviously a big part of you and your past. I wish a very positive future in your friendship. |
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Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Reading this, first thing Monday morning, was a great way to start the week. Thanks Al..... |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | By the way Al, what's your blues name? Nightwolf, Harmonica Bob, & ????? |
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December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
By the way Al, what's your blues name? Nightwolf, Harmonica Bob, & ????? Mr. Big!
Great story Al. |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Truly inspiring and a great way to start off the week! |
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June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Al, that's a fantastic story.
It goes to show that music brings us all down to earth and levels us out.
Feel the passion and brotherhood!!!
AJ :) |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | NiceStory.
I was thinkin' 'bout you the other night Al . . .
A good friend of mine who's a keyboard player sat-in for half of my gig FridayNite. We started playing SteelyDan's "PretzelLogic", and I thought "DAMN! . . I wish Al was her to play on this!!! . . ."
We're gonna' have t'make that "work" . . .
(I think another JerseyGathering might be in order . . .) |
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June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Hey 666 posts
Devil time
The best to all OFC friends
This is the best forum on the planet
Cheers all
Jim
AKA AJ |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | Originally posted by cliff:
NiceStory.
I was thinkin' 'bout you the other night Al . . .
A good friend of mine who's a keyboard player sat-in for half of my gig FridayNite. We started playing SteelyDan's "PretzelLogic", and I thought "DAMN! . . I wish Al was her to play on this!!! . . ."
We're gonna' have t'make that "work" . . .
(I think another JerseyGathering might be in order . . .) well we can make that happen. I just need to put in a patio and walkway.......
as for a blues name? I never liked that whole thing. but when I went to a open jam I did not want to sign my name because I had jammed with the guy running it like 20 years prior and wanted to surprise him so I signed the papwer Al X. It kinda stuck and so I sometimes use Al X as a stage name LOL. It beats hearing people butcher the pronunciation of my last name... |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Great news Al! I'm happy for the both of you. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Your name is easy, Al. Mine gets butchered even by people who should know better. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Originally posted by alpep:
I just need to put in a patio and walkway.......
I now have some experience in this area if you're thinking bricks and flagstone. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Such a "Jersey Band" story... |
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Location: south east Michigan | Very nice Al.
I know how those life losses can quickly pile up. Good to hear that some of it is turning around the other way. |
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Location: big island | that is a heartwarming story, al. mahalo for sharing it. |
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Location: Jax, Fl or lost in Ga woods, again… | a story & event, therapeutic for all, including us as readers, thanks for sharing |
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Posts: 4413
| Great story. Say hi to bob from everyone hear.
If you like blues harp you should check out Harmonica Muzza. |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Or even "here".
Can't believe I was just nice to someone I've never met and an aussie all in the same post. |
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Location: NJ | you MUST be getting Old . . . |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Old is a good excuse for being crotchety. Schroeder is just taking a day off. |
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Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Al,
That was something real Good to hear , it took me back to memory -lane as well , I hope that you`ll be having many times to come with Bob.
Vic |
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Harmonica Bob is back.