[Harp-L] Re: Harmonica podorythmie / Feet drumming and Harmonica Québec musi

[Jonathan Ross <jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Podorythmie, tapement des pieds, foot drumming - whatever you call it,
> it is very much a part of traditional music in both French speaking  
> and
> Native communities in Canada.

Interesting--it's quite an effective form of rhythm, and the ones he  
plays are somewhat reminiscent of certain bodhran rhythms, at least  
to my ears, though there is some similarity to things such as  
Flamenco tap-rhythms (which is probably understandable due to the  
similar use of feet as percussion instruments).

I am aware that (much as in French speaking Louisiana) the one-row  
box in particular is more typical of Quebec accordion, but for some  
reason a one-man-band seems more humorous with a CBA, perhaps due to  
the size of the beast.

That said, I'm just amazed that anyone can play another instrument  
and a harmonica together at the same time, moreover do it well, which  
is obviously the case here.

> I will say, however, that at least from the samples on his Myspace
> site, André's harmonica playing seems more closely linked in its
> inspiration and direction with that of another contemporary
> haamronicist/podorythmist, Alain Lamontagne, than with traditional
> québécois music or with the old-time players of that music.

So, would you say that this is a contemporary take on the traditional  
music (such as, say, Donald Black is a contemporary take on Scottish  
music) or is it something new which has little in common with  
traditional playing and styles?  I certainly hear some strong blues  
harp influence in some of the phrasing (and one song in particular),  
but the melodies of most of the pieces have a feel which is very much  
reminiscent of what little I know of French-based folk music (both in  
Europe and North America).

> Which is
> fine; there's no reason not to take something from here, something  
> from
> over there, whatever appeals to you, and make something new with it.

Indeed not.  That's what's fun about a lot of musicians, even those  
working within well defined traditions.  I don't know the Quebec  
tradition well, but I certainly like what I heard of Monsieur  
Daneau's music on his website, so it would appear that he's  
succeeding (at least for me) in creating something of his own style.



 ()()    JR "Bulldogge" Ross
()  ()
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