Re: [Harp-L] re: Virtuosity --warning - editorial

[IcemanLE@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 10/21/2004 10:41:52 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
jpl_pagan@xxxxxxxxx writes:
i
get the impression there's no musicians, at all, like
Parker these days. Parker managed to both awe the
elite in his field (jazz, in this case) and appeal to
the mainstream. i
The Iceman Observeth....

It seems that, in today's weird society, the focus is on duplicating a 
successful formula rather than success by innovation. Granted, the success rate by 
duplication may be a higher percentage. (Just look at the insipid retreading of 
"American Idol," etc.).

Short term success by imitation. Hollywood, for example - how many mainstream 
movies are successful that are nothing more than a retread of a formula or 
movies followed by a "II"?

Parker was an innovator. Research into his personal life and personality will 
show that he was not driven by commercial success, but rather by his internal 
creative demon.

Where are those heroes of yesteryear? Where are those Tom Waits, Eva 
Cassidy's, Beatles?

In our tiny diatonic harmonica realm, recreating the successful formulas 
(blues a la Muddy Waters?) is the focus of most. 

Thank you for the Jason Ricci's out there to remind us that taking risks can 
also lead to dreams of success if you put your heart, soul and sweat behind it.

The Iceman