[Harp-L] Re: The impossible exercize

[Joseph Leone <3N037@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sep 20, 2012, at 1:03 PM, Robert Koch wrote:

> Le 20/09/12 17:35, Joseph Leone a écrit :
>> Hey BIG Rober'  Don't get me wrong, the guy is playing note for note with the background and as such is a fantastic player. No mean feat that. I just would have liked to have heard a little more of him and not all those processors he had listed on his intro sheet.
>     I am with you there too, Giuseppe... But the question still remains, IMHO: "Where is the soul?"
> 

I didn't experience any.  What I'm guessing is that this piece was done ONLY as an exercise. Maybe to prove a point? And while I may be able to tolerate in a show situation, a listening situation would be a different kettle of kishka. See HERE is something that has bothered me for some time now. There are those whom go to concerts and then there are those whom want to remember. I think I fall into the second grouping. 

When one goes to a concert, I think it is human nature to get INTO the whole scenario and become part and parcel of the whole extravaganza. And in that case, our senses can tolerate a lesser degree of (shall we say) sound pleasure. But if one wants to listen to someone on a recording, I think that we expect a more pleasant approach to our sound pick up units (ears). 

I DO know that there were always people I could listen to at a concert and think they were Gods and Goddesses, but these very same people didn't come across as well on a recording. Finding someone who can 'speak' to you live AN recorded is a rare bird or paradise indeed. Another problem I may have is that at a concert OR on a video, I can see the performer. I suppose how they move and their general deportment on stage might influence my senses. 

I can recall a topic on another list about a So. American player who I thought was quite good. Others thought he was terrible. Now he wasn't the best looking guy around and I think his LOOKS affected his overall impression. As for the Maret video, Hancock stood up and was playing around IN the piano. What the He!! was THAT all about? That was distracting. As for the Herminie video, she always dresses like a girl and is clean cut. Sooo, I think that visual impressions can matter. I'm always careful of that. 

Gregoire plays a harmonica named after him, so someone must have a good impression of his talents. And (admittedly) the last video WAS good. 

smokey-joe