Re: [Harp-L] No Room for Fills, WAS: Mickey Raphael

[Joe Leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Jul 18, 2011, at 5:42 PM, Robert Hale wrote:

> On Mon, Jul 18, 2011 at 11:40 AM, Grant Walters <grant@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
>> I do not care ( as much)  to sit in when there is a slide guitar
>> playing....if fills up so much of the space a harp fills....
> 
> 
> I notice it, too, when I'm jamming with a sax player. Unless they are very
> thoughtful, aware, and cooperative... (oh, skip it. What am I saying?)

No, DON't skip it. Sax players are my nemesis. They don't know when to quit, take too long a series of solos, and don't pay attention to my cues. They start blowing, close their eyes, and are oblivious to others.   
> 
> They don't seem to anticipate taking turns to fill the spaces.

They expect to fill ALL the spaces. AND want to play on every tune.  

> I usually leave the stage when a sax player shows there will be no room for another.

Same here. I have evn had them say things like: "Why don't you use that other mic..so I don't have to keep lowering this one". Which is BS, because I always lower the mic when I'm done. Then I get stuff like: "Yeah, but while you're lowering the mic, that makes me come in LATE". Oh Jeez, break MY heart whydoncha.  

> In this respect, there's no difference between instruments: harps, guitar,
> horns, etc.
> 
> It's more about the player. Ah, but those magic moments that make it all
> worthwhile.... (sigh)

While we DO have a few sax players who DO share, most don't. They go off into la la land. The one major exception that 'I' (personally) have seen is a Michael Peloquin. I have seen him perform in many venues. Both at spah and also not. He is a true professional. Never misses a cue, always adds..never subtracts from the overall music being presented. Wish they were all like him. 

smokey-joe & the cafe s         at 'the Edison', Ft. Myers country club. 

> 
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> 
> Robert Hale
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