Re: Popper influence ... nothin but the best

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Mar 28, 2004, at 2:33 AM, Philharpn@xxxxxxx wrote:

>
>
> In a message dated 3/27/04 2:32:57 PM, mnessmith@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:
> <<
> smokey joe wrote:
> "I think the name was chosen as a cash-in angle."
>
> ==========================
>
> Cash-in angle!? You're saying when Blues Traveler chose that name, they
> were hoping to cash in on the blues gravy train? ....
>
> The major significance of John Popper and his band is not that it is 
> driving
> people to play the blues but that he is driving people to pick up the
> harmonica

   Yes, absoultely yes. He IS (will be) a Major influence. There's no 
mistake about that.

> -- usually those he tosses out at the audience and passes out at his 
> shows...

   Yes, it's a little hard to toss guitars (or drums) out into the 
audience....ouch. I think this is good policy on his part. It exhibits 
that he is not afraid to share the realm of the reeds and welcomes 
others to enter the kingdom of krome klondikes. It shows an "earthy" 
quality.
>
> The more people who think the instrument is hip, the more likely more 
> and
> better harmonica musicians will come into the field.

   Speaking if hip, some of the hippest people in the motion picture 
industry play harmonica. Ever wonder why?
>
> I happen to like his stuff and looked forward  to his once frequent
> appearances on the Letterman show ...

   Any time this guy came on the boob tube, I would run in from wherever 
I was and whatever I was doing. I have gone so far as to have a whole 
batch of fibreglass resin go to pot because I stopped to listen to this 
amazing player.
>
> Even the bespoken Bob Dylan has his role, as did the early Beatles 
> (their
> first several early records featured harp) round the time SPAH was 
> forming (with
> a signature harmonica and misidentified mugs on the box) ...

   Though I did play from 1954-58 (ages 12 1/2-16), I took a 25 year 
layoff. For ME, it was Charlie McCoy who brought me back to the fold.
>
> The world is full of unintended outcomes ... some of them are good 
> news.
> You may not like Popper's playing or his band ... but stick around ... 
> you
> may like the playing of somebody he has inspired to take up the harp...

   Well, I gotta admit. I love his playing, the material is acceptable. 
I just can't take his voice. That, I can overlook. Given the entire 
"Package", I give it a thumbs up.

  smo-j
>
>
> Phil Lloyd/AHN
>
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