Album Notes

PACO SHIPP - "Tip Of The Tongue" Earwave Records EW-111

Paco Shipp is an innovative, world class harmonica player and singer/songwriter whose debut CD, "Tip Of The Tongue" on Earwave Records is the culmination of decades of musical study, road experience and studio sessions. This is far from a typical harp record, as it showcases a wide stylistic variety of Paco's original material, and features Paco's incisive lyrics and earthy vocals in addition to the burning hot harmonica solos and keyboard-like sonic textures he is best known for. "Tip" features Rick Lonow, Dave Pomeroy and Jamie Hartford of the JHB, guitarists Mike Loudermilk and Joe McMahan, as well as 4 beautiful duets with dobro player Robin Henkel and jazz pianist Doug Randall. Lovers of Blues, Rock, and Jazz will find plenty to enjoy on this musically diverse collection.
Paco has worked with a long list of great artists over the years, including Billy Joe Shaver, A.J. Croce, Johnny Cash, T. Graham Brown, Big House, Jo-el Sonnier, Marty Stuart, Bobby Bradford, and The Jamie Hartford Band. His work with the JHB in particular has brought great critical acclaim for his innovative, emotional style.

In his own words...

"I've been a musician all my life, so far. I owe two people a lot of credit. Max Tromblee got music under my skin as my school band director. I was trained to play trumpet. That training allowed me to learn other instruments and the technical aspects transferred nicely to the harmonica. I learned harp with Bobby Bradford's blues band. I built my style upon that foundation. My training as a section player allows me to treat the harp as a section occasionally. These are the two people that I owe the most. One taught me to love music, and the other taught me to live it.
For this cd, I went with a mix of harp styles. As a result, the harp is the main thing that ties it all together. The musicians for this cd are all my friends. Jamie Hartford, Rick Lonow, Dave Pomeroy and I have a lot of time together in the JHB. It was natural. Mike Loudermilk and I worked the country road together for a few years. Joe McMahan and I met in the blues. In California, I met and worked duo gigs with Robin Henkel and Doug Randall, dobro and piano respectively."