Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2001 14:02:50 From: "Robert Eberwein" Subject: [Long-winded] Modern Players
Okay. My 2 cents.
I'm also only average [bordering on great], but I've enjoyed the thread on Modern Players- not so much because of agreeing [or caring] on the criteria, but because it keeps me up to speed. My perception has changed so much over the last few years, largely because of Harp-l. I used to find Little Walter boring, for instance. I used to think Sugar Blue was doing something that couldn't be learned.
Now, after playing some standards ten thousand times, I realize that much of what SOUNDS like speed and modern creativity is knowing where to stick runs [and trills] up and down the octave- - - but sandwiched with some scales or melodic riffs [And, frankly, I'm not sure some *Modern* guys knows that that's what he's doing- but they know what *works*]. Harp is great for that kind of distinction. It is a real crowd pleaser- and *tricks* can't be left out of our arsenal [eh... repertoire]... On the other hand, without a solid working understanding of scales, harmonies and composition [at least as far as 1,4,5] no amount of flash will add up to much.
All that to say; I think it's a good question, to ask, *Who does this in a lasting, real way*...*Who will be remembered*? [and even that, as someone said, can be qualified... I mean we all still remember Alvin]
But anyway, the discussion of who is hot- - or beloved, is of immense help. I check everything out, and sometimes I'm shocked how BAD some recommendations are [and how GOOD others are; only mentioned in passing]. Just a year ago I was kind of pissed at the list for talking up Gary Primich so much- - he seemed so Average to me [for some reason]. Now I can't get enough of him, and I consider him my [unwitting] teacher of subtle half TB riffs.
For years I thought Popper and Sugar Blue were like the Al Dimeola's of harp: I figured that some folks were just envious of their speed and technique- - but I understand now why some folks [especially the ones who play other instruments and know theory] aren't especially impressed by someone's ability to remember to switch which way you blow near the 6/7 holes- - -
Didn't mean to run on here. Ken got me thinking. I thought I'd just mention that I find such *Who will be remembered* discussions [especially over time] helpful. It's a good question. What's the criteria? What's the goal? What's the difference between being impressed and enjoying listening to something [Lee Oskar Cotton sometimes impresses me- - - Musselwhite, Wilson, Baker and Little Walter, always, and I can still listen to them for kicks--- No- - - Actually I don't listen to anyone for kicks anymore- - -Hmmm].
For me it's like *Materials*: It's boring when you are just reading for fun- - - - but if you're in the middle of experimenting with doubleplating or using solder for the first time... then it's great to hear about wax vs. plumbers paste.
Robb _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.
