Re: [Harp-L] Did The Blues invent the Light buld

["Chris Michalek" <chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Oh c'mon now... but for the fact blues is a primitive form of music it is no different than anything else.  The state of mind argument you present for the blues is weak. What you're speaking of is emotion and emotion is found in all art forms. I would bet money that Bonfiglio is a more emotional player than say Willaim Clarke could ever be. State of mind is relevant but not exclusive to blues.

You assume Blues is the only form of music that uses half tones? Please, blues barely scratches the surface of what it out there.  I suggest you take up a study of makams, ragas and gagaku if you want further info on quarter tones. I know people who can play 24 notes scales on the harmonica and it's not blues they're playing!

Anyway, I'm just playing devil's advocate here. I mostly love the blues.

Peace.



>-----Original Message-----
>From: James [mailto:wasabileo@xxxxxxxxxx]
>Sent: Friday, July 21, 2006 09:09 AM
>To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: [Harp-L] Did The Blues invent the Light buld
>
>Blues fans have a blues-centric view of the world that often lacks
>knowledge in other areas and seem eager to credit the blues with
>everything that's ever happened in American music
>
>I am trying to be polite here but with all due respect I take exception to Mr. Winslow Yerxa comments. 
>The Blues is more than another style of music It is a state of mind, a musical language that speaks to the human condition in a manner that other forms of music does. not. Mind you flamenco, Brazilian Fra-Fra are very expressive but there is something about Blues that can be neither quantified nor qualified in the English Language.
>Cross Harp is an attempt to flat thirds in the European scale in an attempt to play half-tones and slurs "The notes that "fall in between the white and black keys of the piano" In between those notes lies all of our experiences, the girls we didn't get, the jobs we lost, the condition in Iraq Its all there
>Did the blues harpists invent "cross harp" I really don't know but Nobody uses it as effetely as them"  Maybe I can go on any blues site and chat with people from Scandavia, Japan - Brazil. We all know the same songs. We are all struggling with the same emotions.
>BTW Borah Minoveth and the Harmonicats were regarded as "Novelty Acts" and light entertainment 
>
>There has always been prejudice against the Blues. Much of it based upon Race and Class I am not accusing anyone here of such attitudes but I am both confused and disturbed by comments
>Let my be conclude by quoting one Teyxas Blues Men" I am not here to explain the Blues, the Blues is here to explain me!"
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