Re: [Harp-L] Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Big Walter

[Michelle LeFree <mlefree@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

philharpn wrote:

> Been studying the guitar work of pioneer gospel (but really a forerunner of rock) guitarist Sister Rosetta Tharpe and came across a video of her accompanied by Big Walter Horton with the Chicago Blues Allstars.
>
> It's identified as "That's All" but also includes her famous "Didn't It Rain."
>
> What's worth listening to on the medley is the tasteful harp work throughout.
>
> <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1__zadGXR3A>
>
> <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFKmNJ3kJIY&list=PL413246E75204869C>
>
> Rosette was not the first to record This Train but had a hit with it in 1939 and recorded it again in 1950.
>
> It was the basis for Little Walter"s 1955 famous "My Babe."

Thanks for those links, Phil. Always been a fan of Rosetta Tharpe and of 
course Walter Horton. Never saw them together until now, though. And 
great video/audio quality to boot. So cool!

And, guess what? Walter created his amazing "naked tone" with no help 
from custom mic's, pedals or amp simulators. A vocal mic, a PA and a 
harp. Period. And he was mesmerizing.

Whatever happened to just playin' the little thing? Personally, I like 
the sound of harmonicas played naked. I really don't understand why 
everyone seems to want to go to no end to make them sound like a horn or 
guitar or tuba (and I love horns, guitars and ~especially~ tubas).

I could listen to an acoustic Joe Filisko, Phil Wiggins, Grant Dermody, 
James Conway, Paul Davies, Mark Wenner, Ronnie Shellist -- the list goes 
on -- non-stop (not to mention the legacy of all the acoustic players 
from the past like Sonny Terry, Peg Leg Sam, DeFord Bailey, et. al.). 
These guys need(ed) no special electronics, $300 custom mic's, or 90 lb. 
amps to summon the magic of the little tin sandwich.

To me, being able to summon magic from a little tin sandwich all by its 
lonesome ~is~ magic! And ~that's~ why I love harmonicas.

At least that's the way I see it.

Michelle