Re: [Harp-L] Extended thoughts on extened solos

["Dave Murray" <dlmurray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> b) Chris's long solos are better (more entertaining, more live) than his 
> composed tunes or his shorter improvisation.

I've gone and listened to Chris play, both the blues band, and the trio. I 
think that one of the things that makes long solos work for Chris is that 
his band is harp-bass-drums. He swaps the lead with the bass (an exceptional 
bass player at that). Basically, the harp serves the functions normally 
filled by a vocalist and the lead guitar, and the bass fills the function of 
lead guitar and bass. It does not seem the least bit odd for either of those 
instruments to solo given the context, but a Chris solo isn't a harp solo in 
the mind of the listener. At times his harp sings, it is effectively a 
singer doing a solo, then it's a harmonica solo, then a horn solo, and the 
singer again. It weaves a Byzantine journey that travels from genre to 
genre, idea to idea, and then back again. There are lots of "Where did that 
come from?" moments. I never had a "OK, time to wrap this song up" thought 
while listening, because it isn't just a number that goes on and on..

Peace and music,
Dave