Re: Florida Philharmonic Review

["david j. brown" <nonidesign@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Neil,
You got me turned wrong on this. I was not, I repeat NOT, jumping on Mr.
Bonfiglio. Maybe you missed the clues to the true intent of my response but
I did mention his great talent and a few other compliments that would
indicate I wasn't angry (his response is pasted below).  I admit that I am
not the most cultured person on the planet, but if I was angry I can
guarantee you that I would have either been a lot scarier or just shut off
the computer.

Mr. Bonfiglio:
Sir, I apologize for any insult you may have received from my comments. I
assure you that my intent was not to attack you.  My comments were written
with a wry smile and a wink, not a sarcastic sneer. Perhaps the casual
manner of interaction I take for granted might not be acceptable to others.
I was writing to you as I would speak to my friends and while we can be a
little rough around the edges around here I can assure you that respect and
honor are values with which we are familiar.  I have a great respect for any
man who has achieved what you have and I would not shame my family by
attacking a stranger who has done me no harm.

Furthermore, to Mr. Robert Bonfiglio, fellow members of the Harp L digest,
and Neil in Brea:
I apologize for any offense I may have caused anyone. I have spent my entire
life in an environment where a verbal punch in the ribs is a sign of
familiarity and affection between friends and not to be taken seriously.
Obviously Neil comes from a gentler blood than I and was offended by my
comments. I can only apologize to all of you of similar temperament and hope
that the sincerity of my apology will not be doubted as easily as my
original message was misinterpreted.

I am a 41 year old middle class dago born and bred on Chicago's South side.
I have been listening to, and playing, Chicago style blues most of my life.
I consider myself lucky that I live in what a lot of blues fans consider
their Mecca.
I am proud of my heritage as part of Chicago, in particular South Chicago.
Few people other than blues fans can understand why. For the most part it's
dangerous, dirty, and depressing here. Kind of like Brooklyn except somebody
stole the bridge. 
My grandmother was a Roseland bootlegger and her idea of a mall was old
Maxwell St market. I spent countless Sundays there. I learned to play harp
there and cut my first chops with mix bands in the open dirt lots behind
Nate's Deli. I even designed T Shirts for Matty's Polish sausage sandwich
stand before she moved to Florida. I cried when they leveled that market.
So much history gone in the name of development.
I never drive by the Chess studio without pulling over to look and think
about all that happened there.
I was lucky enough have seen some of the great ones play here as if they
revered this city's blues history as much as I do (Muddy Waters, Willie
Dixon, Snooky Pryor, Lonnie Brooks, Buddy Guy, Jr. Wells, Magic Slim, Son
Seals, Koko Taylor, Big Time Sarah, B.B. King, Bobby Blue Bland, Eddie
Clearwater, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert Collins, Johnny Winter, etc. ).
My only claim to fame is minor but means a lot to me. I used to to play with
Sunnyland Slim at Lilly's in Lincoln Park in the early 80s. Just the two of
us on that cramped little stage. I spent one of the best afternoons of my
life at his place at 67th and Halsted, just talking about everything from
his past to the finer points of my 56 Olds Rocket. Where else could this son
of a railroad switchman get that lucky but Chicago?

Anyway, the reason I just bored you with this walk down memory lane is that
this is my first chat line and I've only been at it for a few weeks. It
never occurred to me that maybe the history I outlined above might not make
me the right kind of person for 'chatting" online (Hell, I got into one
discussion,  potentially insult a world class player, and piss-off some guy
named Neil in Brea).  I just signed-on because somebody got me this computer
(and I didn't ask where from) and I thought it might be cool to hook-up with
others who share my love for this little instrument. When I play I
consciously try to reflect the passion of those players that make me think
of home (both the Walters, Wolf, etc.)
and I figured that others might share my passion for playing harp.

Maybe I'm better off chatting face to face with the local players around
here.

Sorry I forgot to wear a jacket and tie to the restaurant.


Take care. 
D

Dear David,

I am in total agreement with you!   I don't get at all bent out of shape
about any review; it's the reviewers.  They are killing classical music;
they can't seem to say that they had a "good time" at a concert.

I do have critics accepting the harmonica as a classical instrument now;
but every review for anyone, including the best violinists and pianists,
has the enthusiasm of a 'wet noodle'.

They make it seem like someone who has a shot and a beer and likes open
stage jams wouldn't like my concert.  And the opposite!  I have had a blast
hearing Kim Wilson at the Minnesota Harmonica Summit and I know several
blues guys had a good time when I played with the Minnesota Orchestra -
they even like the blues encores.

I am not complaining about reviews I get, but about the way classical
reviewers write.  These guys have ivory towers that bear no resemblance to
reality.  We would be better off if the rock critic came down; maybe there
might be a Wow! or two in the headlines.

Harmonically yours,

Robert Bonfiglio


From: KENNEDBANE@xxxxxxx
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2003 12:49:01 EDT
To: nonidesign@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, bon@xxxxxxxxxx, harp-l-digest@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Florida Philharmonic Review




I may just be a working stiff who's idea of a good night is a shot, a beer,
and a "chop & drop" open stage jam in South Chicago... but at least I don't
get my nose bent out of shape over a music review and a little e joke.
Whiners
don't last long down here.

Exactly what is your problem. I, for one would appreciate it
if you would take out your anger, frustration, jealously or whatever
somewhere else.  This list is not the place for it.

Like I suspect almost every other member of this list
am delighted that a musician of Robert Bonfiglio's
stature is willing to share with us his experiences in a
milieu most of us will only know vicariosly, and also
often  participates his in discussions where his experience
can be of value to the whole group.

The fact that he and and other talented and successful
musicians do contribute to this List is one of the things
that make it unique and enjoyable.  While everyone on the
list is encouraged to participate, I think if you're going
to do so you might stop and ask yourself if the band-width
your going to use up has any value to the rest of us.

I find your attack on Robert incomprehensible.

Neil, in Brea