[Harp-L] RE: Greg-wah Maret

["Damien Masterson" <damienzm@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

 Hey All,


Just wanted to pipe in my two cents about Gregoire Maret. The first cent is, 
that music is just a trip this way, you either like it, or you don't. So the 
fact that some people like his playing and some people don't is probably 
just as analogous to whether you like Mexican food or not. Regardless of our 
own opinion of our qualifications to judge or not. That's another story 
altogether. Chips?
   I found from my limited investigation that Gregoire suffers from a 
couple of things  that all chromatic harmonica players struggle with, 
including myself. The first major one is how to overcome the limitations of 
the instrument and play the music in one's head. That's why Howard Levy and 
Stevie Wonder are still my chromatic harmonica idols, because when they 
play, I don't hear the cliche "workarounds" that I hear so many other 
players use. Levy obviously fits in a category of his own! But I have 
listened and heard Toots and MANY other promanent players fit their licks 
into this wierd kind of harmonica pattern thing that doesn't sound musical 
to me, almost like John Popper, but in chromatic Jazz improvisation. What is 
that? Also. I hear GM play certain lines, and I'm not entirely convinced 
that it's a musical idea coming from inside, but more of a rambling noodle 
thing.
I speak from experience. My old music teacher called it "letting your 
fingers do the playing"... of course, on the harmonica, that doesn't work 
too well. Taco Bell or Taco Truck?
   The other factor is SOUL. And you either have it, and the technique to 
express it, or you don't. And I personally am very tired of listening to 
chrom players who have technique, know tons of theory, can read very well, 
and can't emote through their instrument. As we know, there are many chrom 
players who are capable of all kinds of fireworks, but when it comes to 
playing one, powerful, note that would bring tears to your eyes, the field 
empties and a few are left standing. Gregoire holds his ground, but I'm 
still waiting for the next Cannonball Adderly of Chromatic. And practicing 
to be that myself. Burrito or Enchilada?
  So that's what I strive for, in harmonica terms: The flow of ideas and 
musicality of Howard, the soul of Stevie and the technique to match. 
Horchata or Agua Fresca?
  As far as Gregoire is concerned, I believe he's gotten a lot of attention 
for different reasons, and that he works very hard. I'm going to check back 
in 10 years after his concept has matured a little.

    And may we all be kicking more ass in 10 years! Viva La Harmonica!

Damien Masterson  http://www.goodomen.net   415 305 7138