[Harp-L] Le-Riff (Yessssssss!) (was: Le-Riff (Noooooooo!)) - correction

[scott gold <scottgold@xxxxxxxxxx>]

sorry ­ correction ­ actually I don¹t have the Sumlin¹s heart & soul cd
right now ­ 
but I think it was James Cotton playing the harp on Juke there?

-sg
> 
> as participant in the Le Riff debate so long ago, I have to disagree with
> Billy Bud (his initial impression, anyway).
> 
> to me it was precisely because to the unfathomable magic and spirit of this
> biblical harp tune that so many people like myself became fascinated with
> studying it.  sure, any song, poetry, painting, etc. should be listened to or
> viewed in a purely aesthetic manner devoid of cold analysis, etc.  in the case
> of Juke ­ we had already been there ­ and have enjoyed it for it¹s beauty¹s
> sake.  but, for a brief moment in time, a number of people wanted to look at
> Juke from a another technical ­ even scientific level.   but what may seem to
> one as a scientific study, may reveal certain aesthetic issues that we never
> expected.
> 
> in fact, I learned so much from that debate ­ and in fact, complete changes my
> opinion.  specifically, I had always played Le Riff in pucker and was
> convinced it was a single 6, primarily b/c it was difficult for me to do and
> seemed unnatural..  but thinking seriously about posts that claim it was a 3-6
> blow, I tried playing Le riff in TB ­ and lo and behold, I found how easy and
> natural it is to hit the 3-6 in TB embouchure.  listening with fresh
> (TB-ears), I converted to become 3-6 believer.   so the debate helped me
> understand LW¹s playing, helped my playing, and the discussion became for me,
> at least, a classic harp-l story ­ a fine example of what Harp-l is about.
> 
> I do agree with Billy Bud that is also very pertinent and wonderful to listen
> to others play Juke ­ and see how they do it.  I was unaware of Clarke¹s Le
> Riff quote and have placed my order.  I find listening to versions by LW (alt
> take), George Smith (two versions), Charlie Musslewhite, James Cotton, Billy
> Branch (both versions), Hubert Sumlin, Big Joe Yushin, and others, quite
> illuminating.
> 
> may the quest continue!
> 
> yours in LeRifflednessless,
> 
> -sg
> tokyo
> 
> 
> 
>> Message: 3
>> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2006 08:02:29 -0800 (PST)
>> From: Dan <billybudd1313@xxxxxxxxx>
>> Subject: [Harp-L] Le-Riff  (Noooooooo!)
>> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>> 
>> 
>> Dear harp-L world,
>>    
>>   Listening to William Clarke's "Live in Germany"  Track 3 "Lookin' To The
>> Future"  Just about 1 min 35 seconds in:
>>    
>>   Clarke plays a version of le-Riff twice through.  To my hearing, he gets a
>> sound very reminiscent of LW's much debated lick.
>>    
>>   On the one hand, Clarke is gone too (sadly) so there'll be no asking him
>> what lick.
>>    
>>   On the other, perhaps some of you crazy's (affectionate use of crazy) may
>> want to give the clip a listen.  I think Walter and Bill hit 3-6 with amp
>> overtones. Perhaps this new info will shed new light for some ears.  Perhaps
>> not.
>>    
>>   Dan G.
>>    
>>   Major caveat:
>>    
>>   When I was a boy of 19-21 just starting out on harp, I joined an internet
>> list called Harp-L.  On this list, it seemed they talked incessently about
>> this one lick.  At the time, (and somewhat still) I saw the discussion as an
>> academic pursuit, completely missing the point and spirit of its creator, and
>> the context of the music he was trying to play.  I left Harp-L for years
>> because I felt my time was better spent playing than analyzing minutia.
>>    
>>   Well, much time has passed, and now I am better at skimming Harp-L and
>> ignoring that which doesn't interest  me.  I think I can actually help out
>> some too.  I still think the Le-Riff debate borders on insanity, so please
>> forgive me for my seemingly hipocritical observation and subsequent digging
>> up of a very well beaten horse.
>