Subject: [Harp-L] Re: Loud extreme amps/ Subject Re: Jason Ricci Acoustic?

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Gary writes:
 
"As good as Jason Ricci was when I saw him open for Kim Wilson, I  could only 
 
take about a half hour of that blinding volume.  Personally, I have always 
mixed  the most volume with the Tone  that most of the players who deal with 
want,  
Chicago style.  Everyone has their own thing, but that is my thing. I don't 
need   my ears to ring anymore than they do. Remember, from what the old 
timers  
told  me, you are playing To the audience, not AT them. But how  many have 
actually  spent extensive time with our fathers and  grandfathers that have 
set the 
stage  so we can all be doing what  we are. It is a very limited group from 
the 
Chicago  side,  everyone else is pretty much Howard Levy on down."
 
....now you know I respect you Gary, but just how long ago was  it when you 
heard Jason open for Kim Wilson and play at "blinding  volume"s?
 
I have extremely sensitive hearing...and one could  perhaps not be faulted 
for attributing my defense of Jason to the  fact that he's a good personal 
friend but for the fact that Smo-Joe, yet  another "sensitive hearing" person...and 
no fan of high volumes (like me)  said the very same thing about Jason and 
his band as I have...that for  some reason he finds JR&NB easy to listen to 
precisely  because they DON'T go past that level into "painful".  
 
Not once have my ears "rung" while listening to Jason Ricci and New  Blood 
play.  Yes..it is loud. No..it isn't "too" loud.  There is  a difference.  I've 
attended many of Jason's 4 hour long  shows...and am always left wanting more. 
  I'm no kid...and I  have a great deal of respect and concern for my 
hearing, as  my several posts here about that very subject (and my father's  hearing 
loss) can attest.
 
So before you put something out there and possibly scare people away  from 
Jason's shows ....do give another listen to how he plays today..and  not base 
your judgment on something he might possibly have done for one  gig before he 
had much control over his band's sound  system.  
 
I also hope you weren't referring to Jason Ricci as one of those  playing 
"at" his audience rather than "to" them...because frankly, nothing  could be 
further from the truth.  HE has his audience in the  palm of his hand...or, rather 
-  wrapped around his harp and with him  every step of the way. When you 
mention those putting in time with  their fathers and grandfathers, I hope you 
remember Jason's time spent  living with, playing with and studying extensively 
with the Kimbroughs,  Junior and David? 
 
Just when was the last time you actually saw or heard Jason & New  Blood play 
in person?  
 
Can't argue with Dave Fertig.
 
This is for Jon Compton,  the poster who wanted to hear Jason  play 
acoustically?  He does a couple of numbers in his shows...you  can go to the 
website...listen to any of the many incredible downloads  (provided by Garry Hodgson of 
this list)....but I'll point you  directly to something from the tour in 
France.   Christophe Minier provided the recording for this specific one since 
Garry  wasn't free to travel:
 
_Click  here: Internet Archive: Details: Jason Ricci and New Blood Live at  
Harmonicas Sur Cher Festival on 2006-05-27_ 
(http://www.archive.org/details/jrnb2006-05-27.flac16)    - the very 2nd  track "Sonja" is gorgeous.  He plays it 
with just Shawn's guitar as  counterpoint in just about every show, but many 
times drunk patrons are  yakking over the sweetness of his playing here at 
home.    In St. Aignan the French audience was very quiet, listening with respect 
 to his playing. Then you might want to listen in to the cuts off Rich  Cohen 
& the Blues Prescription's new CD "Sour Mash" on which  Jason guest stars.  
Let me know what you think. :)
 
Elizabeth