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Good question, TIG ...

I've toyed with one off and on (have a couple of Hohner "Marine Band" ones) but have never made significant progress. My late father was brilliant with one, but I've never found a way to control my drooling when playing. If I tip my head back I choke, and if tipped level or forward, it is literally dripping out of the harp in a matter of minutes.

As a side note, I grew up hearing it called a "mouth organ". When I started hearing people calling it a harp, I never understood why ... short for "harmonica"? A harp is a completely different stringed instrument, whereas "mouth organ" seems to more accurately describe how it works. Comparing operating mechanics, Pan Flutes and Melodicas are really mouth organs.

Hey ... these guys are pretty good, and not a bad recording either! Making me itchy for a jam session ... thanks Badeye!

So very sorry for your loss, Pete ... completely understand (personally) how hard it is to cross the void left behind. I trust your many memories of your beloved wife are giving you some comfort. Among other things, music can be a terrific healer, and I hope you'll be able to sing in your heart again.

Michael Kobrin    "Underwater"    (original)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0NiWjUhhDA

Another beautiful piece from Michael, with various under currents that suit the locale.

Another great find, JJJ ... got to hand it to you. I've been trying to think of anything that might prevent you from finding / buying a good deal on a guitar. Been drawing blanks so far, but I'll let you know if I think of anything.

Thanks, TIG ... I'm amazed at his flat-picking precision. With eyes closed, it sound like someone with fingernails using all of their fingers. He doesn't pluck an unintentional string throughout the whole song. On some of his other songs, he's doing solid hammer-on / pull-offs with his pinky, at 2 or 3 frets away from the rest of his hand. I tried, and although I have the reach, I don't have the strength. I wonder if the local gym can help with that?

Yeah, it's an odd name, for sure. Apparently, founding member Peter Bardens (keyboards) came up with the name, but no one in the group really knows why. He may have been thinking about a camel's endurance, or might have just been looking at his cigarette pack at the time ... who knows?

One of my favorite weird band names is "Atomic Rooster", of which drummer Carl Palmer was a founding member in 1969.

Marillion    "This Strange Engine"    Port Zelande, Netherlands, 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlX7Mj8FsG0

This is the title track from Marillion's 1997 studio album, which was the first of three to be released in three sequential years. The live performance is at their "Marillion Weekend Convention" in Holland. The song is autobiographical of singer Steve Hogarth's life, and features several amazing guitar solos from Steve Rothery, as well as Hogarth's passionate vocal performance.

Probably never will, CG ... they're $800 in Canada, and that's a lot o' dough to spend on something that's only a notch or two above being a novelty. It would be a riot to play with, and I'd really like to have one, but it's certainly not necessary.

Ewan Dobson    "Acoustimetallus Plectrus"    (original)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7E-PEv7cl8

Canadian boy Ewan Dobson showing his incredibly precise flat-picking skills, along with some painful looking stretches of his fret hand and a strong little finger. Amazing technique, and a cool composition.