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

[Mojo Red <harplicks@xxxxxxxxx>]

Paul,

I agree wholeheartedly. I hope I didn't impart the
impression that "overblow is the answer," as I
don't really believe that, I was trying to point to
players who were exploring outside the box, and the
the fact that I'm using overbends to pry and myself
out of my personal box (though I admit I have a
long ways to go).

It's got to be music. Good music. But it must
resonate with the masses. That was precisely my
point.

Why was Peg 'O My Heart such a success? It was
outside the box (in its day) and it resonated
powerfully with the masses. 

Perhaps you are right. Maybe one great hit could do
it. The Producers likely paying close attention to
the masses. It may be easier than I think. 

Stay well!

Harpin' in Colorado,
--Ken M

--- paul <paul@xxxxxxxx> wrote:

> 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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