Re: Re: [Harp-L] Required Reading --- A Love Supreme

[nonidesign@xxxxxxx]

Well said Tim.
It seems that "off topic" designations become problems due to:
1. flaming
2. excessive extrapolation to the point of no return (for example: a discussion on the wood used for combs turns into a discussion of the animals that live in rare trees in Indonesia, and then the best times of the year to book a flight there).

The next thing you know Admin has to jump in and kick the ball back into play. If either of the above problems were averted by remaining on focus, or returning back to the original harp related intent people wouldn't get gun-shy about wondering off topic in a healthy manner. It might foster other topics more on-line with the list's purpose but still orignal beyond those most commonly approached (somtimes too many times)  subjects. I have seen this happen in a positive way with threads involving martial arts and harp. Think Tanks and Brainstorming sessions work well for this purpose as long as the aforementioned protocols are observed.

I too find the "what are you listening to?" or "what music influenced you?" threads very interesting. If nothing else they are an opportunity to discover music that is ranked highly among our select group of people. Seeing that thread lead into a serious consideration of non-harmonica playing artists or musical styles and their relevance to harmonica playing is interesting (as some past posts along those lines have been n the past). I would love to see a thread loosely considering Coltrane's relevance (or Balinese Gamalan for that matter) to harmonica at levels from practical to conceptual. I know it could be of value, but a "This album is great, this album stinks" rant just make me wish those flaming could take it outside and B-Slap.each other. Like all threads, those who don't like a topic have a delete button, which you might be reaching for right now, and that's cool.  

It's not always admin's job to remind us to act like grown-ups or coherent humans (although as harp players we're border line on both counts from the get-go) and like all arguments amongst friends, they should end with "let's have a beer".

Now, how about a nice thread about John Cage's chance methods for creating music and writng as a conceptual impetus for burning down some overblows? No wait. How about P-Diddy's vocal style compared to Deford Bailey's train impressions?  Is fall the best time to visit Jakarta?

Any takers?

Just kiddddddding.


 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Tim Moyer" <wmharps@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> The Boss wrote:
> > I guess my question is how does any of this serve the needs 
> > of the thread? It seemed to me this list of lists got started 
> > so people could share their personal thoughts about music 
> > that had some sort of profound effect on them.  I don't know 
> > that I'd ever feel comfortable criticising anyone's choices in 
> > music.  If what you want is for people to not take risks in 
> > posting this is a great way to get there.  I was finding it 
> > very interesting to read about the music that people were 
> > effected by.  I'm hoping this is just a minor blip in the road 
> > and this whole discussion rights itself and continues in the 
> > previously personal and fascinating way it began.
> 
> As much as I recognize the indelicacy of the comments regarding 
> someone's choice of a particular recording as being influential 
> (how's that for diplomatically vague?), I think there is some 
> validity in discussing that choice.  If we leave out the personality 
> issues, I find the discussion of Coltrane's work pretty 
> interesting.  
> 
> I've personally long been conflicted about Coltrane.  I respect his 
> abilities, and in some contexts I've heard him shine, but many times 
> he leaves me exhausted and confused.  I love his work with Monk, who 
> I think provided him a delightfully playful structure in which to 
> flex his considerable muscle.  Likewise, I think he was sometimes a 
> wonderfully energetic counterpoint to Miles Davis.
> 
> I realize this is a stretch in a harmonica forum, but we might make 
> comparisons between the debate over Coltrane's style and that of a 
> certain harmonica player who's name shall not be mentioned.  Mind 
> you, I'm not saying those two are in any way similar as far as their 
> impact on music as a whole, but the discussion of style versus 
> technique is very similar.  
> 
> Maybe if we can leave out the profanity and the assumptions about 
> people tastes we can actually find some value in this offshoot of 
> the thread.  
> 
> -tim
> 
> Tim Moyer
> Working Man's Harps
> http://www.workingmansharps.com/
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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