[Harp-L] blues v. bluegrass jam formats

["Richard Olson" <CalSag1@xxxxxxx>]

Hi John,
Thanks for your response. I guess I didn't really make myself clear.
I (try to) play Blues Harp probably mostly Chicago style but with some 
country influence too (Sonny Terry, etc.). By and large, IMO, the harmonica 
has a limited role in Bluegrass Music*; it's great for a few songs but I 
could live without it for the rest. Again, IMO, if Charlie McCoy (a great 
harp player) had missed his bus and not shown up for the "Strictly 
Instrumental" album sessions with Flatt & Scruggs and Doc Watson, that would 
have been fine with me.
What I was trying to get at is: IMO, club & bar jams are too loud, too 
impersonal - just too everything (for me, I'm 63!). I would much more enjoy 
playing in a blues jam (like in my basement) that had a similar format to 
the Bluegrass jam I tried to describe. I realize that most people disagree 
with me - they like the high volumne and energy  and the crowd (and I like 
it, on CD). I have an old Chess LP called "Muddy Waters, Folk Singer", bad 
title, great record - It's quiet, but it's great. I like to play along and 
"back up the Mud" (yeah, like he needs it ) late at night, after the 
family's gone to bed. But it would be great to jam with some live ones too. 
I've just not been successful in finding "My kind of jam". I was/am hoping 
some Harp-L folks might have some suggestions.
Again, Thanks for your kind response, and I apologize for telling you much 
more than you ever wanted to know about me. And I WILL check out your 
website.
 Cal Sag
*at Bluegrass jams I generally play mandolin or guitar and sing - not much 
harp. When I play blues (mostly by myself) I play piano, guitar, mandolin, 
and sometimes banjo and  I use a rack for the harp.

-------------------------------------
John wrote:

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Watts" <coast2coastmusic@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "Richard Olson" <CalSag1@xxxxxxx>; <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: "Chris D'Amato" <cdamato67@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, February 04, 2005 3:35 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] blues v. bluegrass jam formats


> --- Richard Olson <CalSag1@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>
> > I guess my question is - Is there a List niche that enjoys "Jamming
> > the Blues" in the Bluegrass Jam format?
>
>
> Coast to Coast Music has a discussion forum devoted specifically to
> Bluegrass harmonica playing.  You can sign up if you are interested at
> the following URL:
>
> http://www.coast2coastmusic.com/general/forums.shtml
>
> =====
>
> Regards,
> John Watts, Coast to Coast Music
> http://coast2coastmusic.com
> Harmonicas, Guitars, Strings, & Accessories
> 800-776-5015
>
>
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
> Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.8.5 - Release Date: 2/3/2005



--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.8.5 - Release Date: 2/3/2005