Re: [Harp-L] virtuoso (vs crap?)-FINAL WORD

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Oct 22, 2004, at 6:00 PM, Pierre wrote:

> I'd like to apologize to Robert and to the list for the way I worded 
> my original response to his post. I sort of meant a lot of what I 
> said, but I should have spoken more generically. I'm a computer 
> scientist and I have been with computers for far too long. Thats not 
> an excuse, just a lousy explanation.

* I (personally) don't think you have anything to apologize FOR. When I 
read a post, I not only read THAT post, but when I come across 
something controversial, I remember ALL the other posts from that same 
source and render a verdict. Since you have always been straight 
forward and honest in the past, I see no reason why you shouldn't be 
entitled to your own opinion. I actually saw nothing inflamitory. A 
person can play for 3ooo people 1 time, or 3oo people 1o times, or 3o 
people 1oo times. That doesn't have anything to do with being crap.
> I have great respect for anyone who dedicate themselves to music. 
> Musicians work for peanuts and get little recognition.When I responded 
> to Robert, I felt he was bashing some of my heroes and friends and I 
> didn't think he had a right to look down on them because he is more 
> dedicated, but maybe he has earned the right to.

 I always try look at both sides of the coin. The obverse AND the 
reverse, and I got a similar (veiled) impression. No one has title to 
being the arbiter of who is good or bad anyway. It's all a matter of 
relativities. One person is relatively good (as compared to so & so) 
while another is relatively bad (as compared to so & so). People have a 
tendency to use guages. We see them in all walks of life. They are 
useful to some extent to show where something sits in relation to the 
norm or to a certain standard, or level, or productivity.

 It's hard to use guages when dealing with PURE humanity, as no two 
people are alike. As far as I know, Robert rarely performs at harmonica 
functions. The most likely suspect is that it's unreasonable to expect 
someone of his high achievement to perform solo when he is used to 
symphony orchestras from all OVER the world. This he HAS earned. We 
have crossed paths at least 6 times, he doesn't know who I am (why 
SHOULD he). I have always watched him closely.
> I thank everybody on both sides for their great posts including Frank. 
> I thank Chris for the wording of his initial post, the thumbs down and 
> tongue sticking out at me was a great way of showing his discontent - 
> very classy. Big thanks to Winslow who I thought would roast me and 
> never speak to me again.

 To know Winslow is to respect him. I don't happen to know him and we 
have never spoken BUT, I have watched and listened to him at at least 9 
conventions, have kept a CLOSE eye on him, and after almost 8 years on 
the list, I can testify to the fact that he is a class act, sedate, 
mannerly, never a cross word, knowledgeable, reverant, and the epitome 
of the word gentleman. Every one could take a lesson from this guy.

 I wasn't going to get involved, but I think too much of you people to 
stay quiet.  Now PLAY NICE :)....smo-joe
> Thanks again for your all your insights. The list is great, long live 
> the list!
>
> Pierre.
>
> PS: Ah tabernacle! j'ai oublié de mettre le poulet dans le four 
> *%$#%#$?$!!.
> (Excuse my Québecois)
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