[Harp-L] RE: Yet Another Juke Question[long reply]

["R. S. Walters" <rwalters@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I love this topic.....

 I play it the way I feel it and I feel it different just about every time.
Yes, I may keep the signature lick of the tune or hold down a rhythm riff in
the background but when I step out front I close my eyes, melt into the
groove and go with it.  I make it my own.  As Taj Mahal told me a few months
ago "Don't do it like me, do it like you."

I really enjoy getting in sync with the singer or guitar to add those
"spontaneous" accents that flow from knowing your band mates, smooth
footwork, hip shakes and wiggles, and that "come hither" look from the
beauty dancing in the front row (if you know what I mean).  I portend that
you just can't get there with an arrangement.   That's why I love harp.  It
lets me play with passion and abandon and crowds love it.

Well that's my two licks worth.


Bobby BlackHat
http://bobbyblackhat.com




-----Original Message-----
From: owner-harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Ryan Hartt
Sent: Friday, July 30, 2004 7:33 PM
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Yet Another Juke Question[long reply]


--- Howard Chandler <chandler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> How many of you folks are playing these songs note for note and how 
> many are keeping it loose.

I don't do too many Little Walter instrumentals, occasionally "Rocker" or
"Fast Large One", but when I do I do the head and that's it. As much as I
love Little Walter and have learned a lot of his stuff note for note I don't
see much point in performing it that way. I certainly may reference his
licks in certain tunes or play a particularly memorable lick from the
recording but I don't play them note for note.

I do have a couple of "in the style of" instrumentals that I have written.
My last CD had an "Off the Wall"
inspired thing and my next CD will have a "Flying Saucer" type of
instrumental.

I think traditional musicians are in an interesting place as far as original
music. As Rod Piazza says it's about trying to do something original and
innovative within that somewhat strict set of rules of traditional Blues. At
the same time a few weeks ago when he was producing my next CD, Rick
Holsmtrom was saying that to him a lot of original traditional blues CDs
become "Here's my Jimmy Reed style tune" "Here's my Little Walter tune"
"Here's my T-bone jump tune"
etc. And I agree and I'm as guilty of that as anybody but I also think
that's the fun of it. How far out and creative can you be and still pay
respect to those who have come before you and influenced you?

Ryan Hartt
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