Re: [Harp-L] Miller is a 12-Year-Old Harp Monster

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

OK, good point............ But this kid is already on TV. How many  
out there have been on TV?  Seems to me while I often see other  
instruments played on TV and the musicians range from excellent to  
barely mediocre, harp NEVER gets on TV unless the player is in the  
eye of the pyramid, OR they're a singer and harp is a side arm.

Sorry, but I'm not seeing (not that Im picking on anyone in  
particular) Rod Piazza, Norton Buffalo, Kim Wilson nor even the  
greats Howard Levy or Robt. (le bon vivant) Bonfiglio on TV. These  
guys are still having to tour at their age and I don't see the  
relatively easier juicy TV slots. Hey, if I'm wrong, I'll go back  
into lurk for another 5 months.

Even Elvis Costello (for God's sakes) can get on TV. Harp doesn't get  
any respect and I don't think it ever will.

p.s. excellent post shrimpdaddy..

smokey el Gatto


On Jul 14, 2006, at 7:21 AM, shrimpdaddy@xxxxxxxxx@cogeco.ca wrote:

> > I'm sorry but i have to dissagree I think that the fact remains  
> > that clubs might now start to seek out bands with
> harmonica in them.  In the last few months first with Taylor Hicks  
> and now with LD the harmonica is being talked about
> and looked at in a new and exiting light.  Not that I'm comparing  
> in any way of course but if we look back to when
> little walter hit the sceen bands were comprised of mostly Jazz  
> type music with horn sections and piano all of a sudden
> Muddy Jimmy Rogers and walter hit the sceen and the harp became the  
> poor mans horn section as a matter of fact there
> were poeple from all around going to his shows trying to learn from  
> him or trying to get up on stage to try and top him.
>  Little Walter used to let Jimmy Rogers play and if the palyer  
> could do better than him then Walter would step out
> (Jimmy was a hell of a player too).   after that every band out  
> there had a harp player hell you couldn't have a blues
> band without one.
>      LD is an enourmous talent and i'm sure soon he will learn  
> "less is more" i'd like to see him drop the cordless
> blues blaster and plug a CR into a sonny junior and work on tone.   
> I want to see him pay closer attention to the music
> and realize the importance of folowing the rhythm.  I think he is a  
> danger more to guitar players than to us. I'm sure
> you all know how much guitar players love busy harp players.  I can  
> just see the emergence of a bunch of new kids
> wanting to sit in and try and play like LD (LOL) mind you the idea  
> of a bunch of kids picking up the harp is awesome.
> As far as hurting harmonica players I don't see anything different  
> than say a Jimmy Bowskill (for those of you
> unfamiliar with him. http://www.jimmybowskill.com/) would hurt  
> guitar players.
> Play your own way give it all you got put your soul into it and no  
> one could ask for more and even if they do at least
> you will always be happy with what you're doing.  Remember it's not  
> a competition it's about playing music.  it's not a
> sport.
> > Miller may help harmonica but hurts harmonica players. The assumption
> > NOW will be that since HE is 12 and YOU are 24, 36, 48, YOU should be
> > at LEAST as good. Which, of course, we all know is 'la-la land'
> > thinking. Consequently it will be harder to get gigs unless you ARE
> > (at least) as good.
> >
> > smokey the median
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