RE: [Harp-L] Getting More Harmonica 'Out There'

["paul" <paul@xxxxxxxx>]

Kenny:

Well-rendered young man . . . However, don't misconstrue my missive as a
not-very-clever veiled attempt to again inject the 'Overblow is the Answer'
message back to board discussion . . . 

All I'm saying is that, 'whatever' style or technique we play, we have to
get it placed in well-written, commercially attractive projects, that will
'resonate' (perfect word young man) with the listening public . . . We have
to stop inundating our harmonica projects with just hot-lick
harmonica-histrionics (in whatever style or technique) and become better
songwriters using harmonica in different ways . . . 

However, I further (respectfully) disagree in your postulation that it will
take some sort of cosmic upheaval in the order of the universe to make this
happen . . . I honestly believe it could happen as quickly as one great part
in one very widely heard song . . . 

For those that know our instrument's history, a single tune such as Peg O'
My Heart had an immense effect on the harmonica's commercial visibility (and
viability) for a while, as well as the influence that led to a lot of people
wanting to play it . . . 

PT Gazelle sent a piece to the List last year that had himself playing with
Jerry Douglas.  PT sang and just played these way-cool lines.  I kept
waiting for the inevitable (and in this case welcomed) cool-ass harmonica
solo, but it never came.  After the song ended I just shook my head and
said, "Hot Damn," now this is a guy that just plain 'Get's It,' and that
this is the kind of 'approach' to our instrument that could accomplish the
kinds of things that we're talking about . .. 

Remember, all of this is just my opinion, so of course I am just merely
'opining' on these matters . . . 

Comments???

Regards, Paul Messinger/Chapel Hill NC

-----Original Message-----
From: Mojo Red [mailto:harplicks@xxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Saturday, July 15, 2006 8:35 PM
To: paul; Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Getting More Harmonica 'Out There'

Greetings and salutations learned Harp-L
contributors!

I appreciate the ruminations and highly value the
estimations of the ever-erudite Mr. Messinger on
the subject of bringing wider acquiescence of
harmonica music to the general public vis-à-vis
conventional musical Producers who might seriously
consider using the harmonica in a wider capacity
than is currently customary (explicitly, blues and
campfire roles). 

(Buzz, try to keep up, I haven?t even presented my
own ?ass-toot? observations yet!).

Ahem? to continue?

I beg to differ with the profound sentiments of
professor Messenger, not in his lofty objective,
but rather with the means with which he proposes to
achieve that exalted accomplishment. Not that his
challenge to the harmonica community to ?get out of
our own rut? (as he so colloquially expresses) is
ill advised. In fact, I fervently believe that the
challenge is highly appropriate. 

The highly esteemed projects of Roscoe?s Maybe
August, as well as Paul?s own musical projects (and
those of Mssrs. Ricci, Pelloquin, Michalek, Levee,
Holmes and other far-sighted harmonica luminaries)
are all well outside the realm of conventional
harmonica and highly laudable.

However, it is my own conviction (yes, I opine)
that innovation alone will not be enough. It will
take more than that to turn the heads of the
musical Producers of the world. Even the collective
efforts of the entire harmonica community (as it
exists today) would not be enough to induce a
transformation of values within the psyches of the
masses-driven conventional music industry
overlords.

Nay, it will take a tidal change, an inundation, an
avalanche, a veritable flood of demand for
un-conventional harmonica music to affect such a
fundamental shift. It would take a change as
profound and commanding as the one that fermented
the demand for electric guitars as the central
instrument in popular music (and that was bigger
even than Elvis). 

It would require a potent group of innovators who
not only ~explore~ harmonica music outside the
currently accepted norm (blues, campfire and
country, I might add), but those pioneers must also
create music that resonates vigorously with the
masses. It is this resonance that is key. 

Once the masses are enthralled, the demand becomes
viable, the tide is changed. The Producers will
respond unhesitatingly, like Pavlov?s dog to his
bell. The calls will come, the studio will be open,
saxophone will be usurped. The key, regrettably, is
to inspire the masses. 

Motivating and inciting the masses with harmonica
music that they are not accustomed to will be no
easy endeavor, especially without the help of the
aforementioned wooden-headed Producers. However,
once resonates initiates, it can easily gain
momentum. 

So, this most conventional harmonica player
strongly supports efforts to explore, innovate and
get out of our collective ruts. Yes, even I, a
hapless blues addict, am now exploring the use of
overbends in my playing (though not yet venturing
very far ?outside the box?). 

The goal is feasible, but we must remember this:
for a profound and irrevocable societal change
we?ll need the help of the masses.

Ass-tootly Harpin? in Colorado,
--Ken M.

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