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From: "Thomas Faison"
Date: 14 Jan 1998 17:48 EST
Subject: re: Intensity and Devotion

In message "harp-l-digest V3 #267", Mike Curtis held forth at
length with statements like:

>
> But if you read about some band with a kazoo and garbage can drummer, what
> would you expect? Probably something from the Little Rascals or Three
> Stooges - right?
>
> People expect this of harmonica.
>

Absolutely -- and some people will ALWAYS expect it, no matter how good
you or John Popper or RB or anyone else becomes. It is (IMHO and all that)
unavoidable, given that the beginner's learning curve is so small. Little
children can blow out a crude tune five minutes after picking the thing
up! And everybody knows it.

Fifty years ago, there were dozens of virtuoso harmonica groups traipsing
about the galaxy, Harmonicats and the like. Larry Adler was packing halls.
But did all of this change the perception of the instrument? Nope. RB
gets to fight the same battles Adler did. Relatively few remember Jerry
Murad (it pains me to say that, but it's true).

But that doesn't mean that some minds CAN'T be changed. Hard work
and professionalism will certainly help. But what is really needed are
artists who use the instrument in new and exciting ways. Think about it:
who has shaped the current styles of harmonica playing the most? Who
are the ones who are remembered? People like Little
Walter, Bob Dylan, and Larry Adler. And it's not because of their talent,
but the fact that they introduced new (or previously obscure) approaches
to the public.

That's why Popper is The Man in the public's mind. They've never heard
anything like it. Bonfiglio is cleaning up because he is more than a
virtuoso; he knows how to be a showman, too.

Sure, work hard, learn theory, know the instrument! I try to do all of
that, and I play for no one but myself. But if you want to see more gigs
for harp players, you need people who can give the public something they
cannot hear anywhere else. Virtuosity alone won't do it.

Thomas