Re: [Harp-L] Off the Wall



Hi Glenn,

The common consensus is that Big Walter did not record Off the Wall, most likely 
another Memphis based harp player, but mistakenly credited to Horton.

Little Walter recorded versions of Off The Wall before it was called "Off The 
Wall", "Fast Boogie" from the "don't need No Horse" session (Jan '53) and "Don't 
HaveTo Hunt/Hurt No More" from the same session that yielded "Off The Wall" 
spring to mind.

Regards, Mark.




________________________________
From: Glenn Weiser <banjoandguitar100@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, 16 August, 2011 21:49:06
Subject: [Harp-L] Off the Wall

It's worth noting that Walter Horton also recorded "Off the Wall" in the early 
1950s. Now what we need to figure out is this: who was imitating who? Tom Ball, 
come in, please.
By the way, I regard the LW instruments as set compositions. Playing them note 
for note is fine IMO. If you can, that is.
 
Glenn Weiser
http://www.celticguitarmusic.com/harppage.htm
 
 
From: Mick Zaklan <mzaklan@xxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, 16 August, 2011 16:45:47
Subject: [Harp-L] Little Walter/West Weston

  I'm going to apologize to Mark, Dave, and West Weston.  Didn't mean to
infer that West had nothing to say that wasn't Little Walter.  I based my
comment on the one track that was posted.  It struck me that this was kind
of a theme and variation on "Off the Wall".  It put me in a Walter mood
because I noticed right off that West was "playing drums" with his harp just
like Walter used to do.  Breathing right through the tune and keeping time
that way.  That's a Walter signature.  I also picked up on some of the
riffs, trills, and that great smear bend that Walter used.  I loved the
track, but I haven't listened to West's other stuff.  I had no intention
of characterizing him as a copyist but he definitely conjured up a Walter
feel to me on that track and it fit in with the other Walter post and
Sun-Times editorial that I wanted to write about.
  My "recreate" remark was more directed at other players and I should have
made that distinction.  I can tell you from 40 years of checking out Chicago
players, that I have sat many nights and heard guys refer note for note to
Little Walter solos while playing Jimmy Rogers, Muddy Waters, and Willie
Dixon tunes in Chicago taverns.  Many, many nights.  You can still hear
it today.  Because it's effective and timeless.
  Again, apologies to West, Mark, and Dave.  I should have made myself
clearer.  And I also apologize for misidentifying West as Wes but that's how
the original post referred to him.

Mick Zaklan



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