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From: Hunterha~OL.COM
Date: Sat, 2 Nov 1996 09:54:34 -0500
Subject: John Popper

FJM wrote in a recent post to Harp-L:

"There is a national act enjoying much success
that employs a harmonica player whose playing style relies more on speeed
and complexity that actual tone. You have to actually articulate the
notes to develop tone. Tone in the players sense that is. I'd rate this
rapidly rising star's tone as mediocre at best and yet he seems to
inspire a new generation to take up the 10 holer."

Gee, who could that player be?

I've written in this forum about John Popper previously, and I don't mind
doing so again. To wit:

1) I'm not surprised that a new generation finds John's work inspiring. I
do too, even though I don't play very much like him. The freedom he exhibits
on the instrument (and in his heart) is indeed inspiring.
2) John's work exhibits much better than average technical proficiency, and
that specifically includes his tone. His proficiency, including his tone, is
far better than that of most of the people who attack him on these grounds,
and is certainly much better than that of the majority of employed harmonica
players. I will fall down on my knees and worship anyone who can claim with
a straight face that what Popper does is easy (and back it up with a credible
imitation).
3) Without for a moment impugning the taste, intelligence, and talent of any
of the many Harp-L subscribers who disagree with my opinions concerning John
Popper's work, I want to note that it is thoroughly illogical to spend half
one's time complaining that the public and other musicians don't take
harmonica players seriously, and the other half complaining that one of the
few players they DO take seriously is incompetent. Good Lord! I LOVE
Popper's work. Not only because I think he's a fine musician and a
thoroughly original harmonica player --which is reason enough -- but because
EVERY harmonica player who succeeds in reaching a mass audience helps the
rest of us establish a market for our music. This is especially so when the
player is pushing the stylistic envelope as hard as John is.

Richard Hunter