[Harp-L] Popper (was Ben and Frank)

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> And, the other thing I wanted to comment on that came up during the
> Popper/LW thing. Someone had said that before I diss John Popper I should
> sit down and try to do what he does. Well, I don't want to do what he does
> and is therefore irrelevant to me whether or not I can do it. I don't
> _like_ it. And I'm otherwise a huge Blues Traveller fan. I've seen them
> four times. I bought everyone of their albums when it was new. I find his
> music interesting and fun. His lyrics insightful and well phrased. But as
> far as the noises he makes on a harmonica...well...I could do without
> them. And further, just because I can't _do_ something, on say a harmonica
> or guitar or whatever doesn't mean I should be prevented from commenting
> on it. The validity of the comment is the same, although source is
> different. If Popper wants to know how his  mindless zipping through
> scales sounds to an audience member, ask me. If he wants to hear how it
> sounds from a master of the instrument ask Joe Filisko. What a sorry,
> opinion-free world it would be if you had to be a master of something
> before commenting on it. So much for free speech, active listening,
> creative commentary. Except for a few exceptions I would imagine, this
> list, every news show, half of all newspapers, and every do-it-yourself
> anything would cease to exist.

I think the 'dissing' comment was aimed at people who say things like "He's
a one trick Pony, he can only play three or four really fast licks over and
over, he plays out of tune below hole 6, etc.", all things I've read here
long ago and recently. These comments are from people who have not sat down
to listen to his playing and tried to emulate.

If you say 'I don't like the music', there is nothing to comment about that.
It's a matter of taste. And although I often feel ashamed of saying that
Sonny Terry does nothing for me, that's a fact, there's nothing I can do
about it.

I can't imagine loving BT and hating the harp though, especially as a harp
player, that must be horrible ! I feel for you, man !

Ben