Re: [Harp-L] reading things into the best

moandabluz@xxxxxxx · Wed, 06 Sep 2006 02:41:07 -0400

Man.. JR.. if you wrote for my newspaper, would your articles ever get 
trimmed.

FYI.. while I  wholeheartedly disagree with you... I still think you're 
a good guy.. and I'll buy next time we're at a convention.

Steve "Moandabluz" Webb

Never the best, but always ready to listen to it.
-----Original Message-----
From: jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tue, 5 Sep 2006 9:48 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] reading things into the best
  Chris Michalek wrote:Â

Â

 > C'mon Guys, lay off Brad. He's done more for the harmonica without > 
using a harmonica than most of you put together using your harmonicas.Â

Â

 And I said the article was an interesting read. Overall, I enjoyed it 
and found it enlightening about certain things. But, as a newspaper 
writer he above all should know that anything published will and should 
be criticized on its merits. I feel the hackneyed journalistic conceit 
of "the best" whatever it is might be effective, but especially in 
artistic circles demeans not only the object of the term but the writer 
and audience as well. It's a small criticism of an otherwise lengthy 
article, but a significant one and the one germane(sp) to this thread.Â

Â

 > Jason is doing great things and he's one of the true original > 
players that will be remembered forever. I don't think there is > 
anybody on this list that can stake that claim.Â

Â

 Last I checked Peter Madcat Ruth, Richard Hunter, and Bill Barret(sp) 
(to give just three obvious examples) were all still on this list. The 
music I've heard from these four is, by just about any definition, as 
varied and innovative as anything Jason Ricci has done, as are their 
highly individualistic playing styles.Â

Â

 I have a feeling Chris is being provocative for the sake of such, and 
nothing wrong with that. But it can also make one look like a fool if 
the branch one is balancing upon breaks.Â

Â

 > Unlike the rest of us, Jason and Brad have the ability to inspire > 
thousands and you guys are tearing them apart and beating them down.Â

Â

 I really haven't seen anyone say anything particularly negative about 
Jason. Saying that either one doesn't think he's "the best" or even 
their favorite of the moment is not negative. If you want negative, 
well, I wonder how Rick Estrin or Kim Wilson would view your comments 
about them. I haven't gone over every post in this thread again, but 
the overall tenor has been that Jason might be great, but that calling 
him "the best" is idiotic for various reasons.Â

Â

 > Steve Guyger et al. When I see those guys, they make me feel like > 
I've heard it all before. When I see Jason, I can't wait to get > home 
and practice. Jason knows how to move people and build a fire > of 
inspiration in people.Â

Â

 A note about the dissed Guyger. I was at his first Buckeye (as was 
Chris). He played what is the single best diatonic show at a harmonica 
convention I've ever seen. I believe his guitarist couldn't be there to 
begin the set for some reason, so Guyger started off with a solo song 
(or two). He played self-accompanied, acoustic into a mic and with a 
softer volume than many blues players do. It captivated the audience, 
and the combination of acoustic intimacy, solo playing and reasonable 
volume really went over well with the traditional trio/chromatic crowd. 
It was one of the best examples I've ever seen of playing your music, 
while knowing how to tailor that to the crowd. When the guitarist did 
join, the atmosphere (and volume) remained and so did the overwhelming 
majority of the audience (not always the case for blues or diatonic, 
though I often feel that the trio/chrom players do better at listening 
to other genres than the blues/diatonic guys do--not all, and not 
always either way, of course).Â

Â

 One can say what one wants about innovation and all, but part of being 
a musician and an entertainer is knowing your audience--frankly, I'd 
say that is a much more important part than being particularly 
innovative or amazing.Â

Â

 > That is why Jason is the best. Shame on all of you that express any 
> kind of disappointment in Brad Kava, he is what we all need, he is > 
what this instrument needs.Â

Â

 I am glad he writes about harmonica, but I will criticize him no less 
than any other writer. If I and others didn't, then that would be a 
true sign of disrespect. Often US society today regards any form of 
criticism as negative, bashing or the like. In reality, reasoned 
criticism is the opposite: it is the ultimate sign of respect. It means 
that one takes the time to read, listen or otherwise understand what is 
being said and then responds to it in a way that is attempting to be 
constructive.Â

Â

Winslow wrote:Â

Â

"Many do consider Jason to be the best harp player out there. Brad wasÂ

reporting a fact."Â

Â

 Perhaps. But journalism isn't just reporting. It's also shaping. By 
reporting something as idiotic as the very concept that there may be a 
"best harmonica player", even for the effect of hyperbole, Brad helps 
to continue the inherently flawed concept.Â

Â

"Was it somehow wrong to do so? No. It helps create a contrast betweenÂ

the brilliance of the man and his reputation on one hand, and the hardÂ

life he's living on the other, with the constant touring and lack ofÂ

commercial success."Â

Â

 That contrast could have been, and indeed was, made in several other 
ways, no less effective, IMO--such as the quotes from Bonfiglio and so 
forth.Â

Â

 Perhaps this seems to be a small thing to focus on, and it is. But, 
since the list focused on this aspect, then so be it. The concept of 
"the best" came up for whatever reason, and so it's worth discussing 
(and hopefully dismissing). As I said, I was disappointed he used that 
method--I am also fine if you aren't. Different people react 
differently. This was my reaction to that particular part of the 
article.Â

Â

"Anyone who doesn't recognize the validity of this technique and theÂ

essential truthfulness of using it needs to take a deep breath"Â

Â

 It works, but that doesn't make it something I believe is beneficial 
in any way shape or form. The most effective way of attaining a result 
is not always the best way.Â

Â

"DidÂ

Brad help or hurt the harmonica community? He helped. Anyone who hasÂ

done more than Brad to help the community may have a right to offerÂ

 constructive criticism privately. Anyone who hasn't might show a 
littleÂ

respect to a friend."Â

Â

 So, either go out and write for newspapers or similar or shut the fuck 
up? That attitude and idea doesn't even deserve a second of comment.Â

Â

 Yes, I did swear. If the listowner wants to punish me for it, so be 
it. I have never sworn before on this list, and hopefully never will 
again. In my opinion, the pompousness and arrogance of the above 
statement about who does and does not have the right to write to this 
list deserved a swear. I apologize to any I might have offended, but 
words exist for a reason, and no other phrase expresses my feeling on 
this nearly adequately.Â

Â

Â

 PS, please no-one contact me offlist about any of this (excepting of 
course, list officials). This is not directed at anyone in particular, 
but rather my desire is to discuss what I write about on-list--that is 
why I belong to harp-l.Â

Â

Â

Â()() JR "Bulldogge" RossÂ

() () & Snuffy, too:)Â

`----'Â

Â

Â

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