RE: [Harp-L] My Opinions on :Gussow in Princeton or messing with the "blues tradition"

["Aongus MacCana" <amaccana@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for this response Jim.
I am not competent to comment on various Blues exponents. In my ignorance some "do it" for me and some don't. It seems to me that the discourse is similar to that which occurs in the Irish Trad scene. My own view is that any music genre is developing or else it is dead. The same is true of any language or cultural activity. At the same time I believe in giving respect to, preserving and listening to the music of previous generations - particularly if it "turns me on".
BeannachtaÃ
Aongus Mac Cana

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Rumbaugh [mailto:jrumbaug@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: 07 October 2011 00:19
To: Aongus MacCana; Harp-L List
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] My Opinions on :Gussow in Princeton or messing with the "blues tradition"

Here are MY OPINIONS from what I have read on Harp-L

I read the excerpt from the Adam Gussow article where he expresses that he 
wants the harmonica to be part of "a more vital and evolving kind of music."

I did not read, "the best and most successful harp players have got it all 
wrong."

I do agree with "If blues was to really evolve and sound more modern, 
wouldn't it start to mix in drum machines, beat box rhythms, synthesizers "

I love the quote "" while you were goin' ta Yale , I was goin' to jail . . 
." but disagree with the comment "Pretty much sums it up." I see that 
comment as an attempt to change the subject from harmonica to comparing two 
players.

I agree with " These discussions are always difficult because they pit 
change against tradition and strict notions of form against artistic 
innovation."

I agree with " We need people like Adam who push forward and people like 
Rick who preserve the past"

As someone that frequents Harp-L and Adam's Modern Blues Harmonica forum I 
disagree with " his Dirty South blues harp forum is rife with many 
characters who show sneering disrespect for players such as Little Walter." 
I cannot recall seeing any disrespect for good players, but this also sounds 
like an attempt to change the subject.

Bottom line, I have to agree with Adam's point. I find myself wearing a hat 
and sometimes sunglasses. Joe Filisko once told me, "that lick you're doing 
doesn't sound right, Little Walter never did anything like that." I will not 
be the one to usher in a new sound and new place for the harmonica, but I 
appreciate what Jon Popper, Jason Ricci, and Brandon Bailey (and Adam 
Gussow) have done so far and listen with interest to what they have to say 
musically.

Jim Rumbaughã


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