RE: [Harp-L] review of "Paul Butterfield Teaches BluesHarmonica Masterclass"

["Bill Hines" <billhines4@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The Butterfield instructional to me was weak as well, he kind of got off
to a good start and then seemed to get bored with it and started just
playing. But I knew that going in, I wanted it just because it was cheap
and I wanted to have it, being a fan of his. I got a few things from it.
You would *really* be mad if you bought the Junior Wells Teaches
Mississippi Saxophone one! Now I knew that one was real bad, but again I
wanted to have it for historical purposes and interest just being a fan
of his also. I laughed my *ss off watching that one (it's on VHS tape),
it's an absolute riot. Through the whole thing, I had no idea what the
h*ll he was talking about, but it sure was funny. Again, it was cheap, I
look for stuff like this on eBay and scoop it up.

Bill

-----Original Message-----
From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Paul F. Sehorne
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2006 11:49 PM
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] review of "Paul Butterfield Teaches BluesHarmonica
Masterclass"


On at, 28 Jan 2006 18:29:27 -0800 Don Grubbs wrote
 >> I never liked critizing someone who did a better job than I could
have 
done.

I knew when I criticized Butterfield's work that there was a better than

good possibility of offending some Harp-L'ers, but as a consumer
spending 
my money I DO criticize those 'who did a better job than I could have
done' 
when their product or service is disappointing.  If I subscribed to
above 
philosophy I would not be entitled to criticize anyone who sells me an 
inferior product or service just because I personally could not do
better - 
whether that someboby be a music teacher, carpenter, lawn groomer, auto 
repairman, etc.

I was not criticizing Butterfield for his musicianship or commitment.
If I 
had purchased the product (as I have many music harmonica CDs) for the 
listening value and as a example of something worth while to try to 
emulate, I would not have been disappointed.  As has been said here
there 
is a lot of good stuff on the CD to listen to and try to emulate, but
from 
an instructional standpoint it is lacking.  I purchased 'Paul Butterfied

Blues Band' and 'East-West' CDs and am not disappointed because they
live 
up to their expected purpose.  But 'Paul Butterfield Teaches Blues 
Harmonica Masterclass' , as an instructional course, did not live up to
its 
purpose.  Did it have great examples?  Yes.  Did it have great 
instructional value. No.

I didn't criticize the product just to complain.  I feel that other 
students should know what to expect.  If after reading my 'review' and
the 
replies to it in this forum, someone chooses to purchase the product
they 
will not be disappointed.  If however, they, like me, purchase it
expecting 
instruction, they will be disappointed.  For $15 I spend it is worth it,

and maybe more, for the reasons Don has pointed out.

For instructional value I still feel that even at four times the price 
Portnoy's product is the better value.

No offence meant from this front either.  I'm just enjoying this forum 
where many contrary and informative opinions can be found and enjoyed.

Paul