Re: [Harp-L] Link to Steven Tyler harmonica article

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Jul 11, 2007, at 8:47 PM, Rick Dempster wrote:

> This is fair enough comment. I haven't hear Tyler, but  
> manufacturing is
> a business, and this topic certainly relates to past discussions about
> the popularising of harmonica, its visibility (OK, audibility) in the
> media etc.

Ok, the other day I said I wasn't enthused by Tyler's playing. Tyler  
is a decent player BUT: It was my personal opinion based on having  
been lucky enough to have lived in a time when the best players were  
available, for virtually a song (so to speak). There are even a few  
on this list who can blow his socks off.

It was possible to go to Maxwell st. Chi-town, or Percy Bossier's  
road house in Baton Rouge, and hear Little Walter or Rice Miller for  
the price of a few Blatzs or Fallstaffs. Can't beat that with a stick  
and I didn't know how lucky I was (at the time).

> I recall back in the late 60s here in Oz, the local street rag
> ('Go-Set') ran a poll on who readers felt was the best guitar player.
> The result? Elvis Presley!

Two points. 1... They have a comic here called Jay Leno and this  
fellow occasionally goes out on the street and asks people questions.  
Result? People are stupid and can't even tell you who is sitting in  
the chair in the Lincoln Memorial.. 2... For many years Playboy  
magazine (the girly rag) ran a jazz poll and year after year Miles  
Davis would win best trumpet. What a joke. The poll was (obviously)  
based on whom read playboy, and NOT jazz officianados.

> The question of who did more for the guitar out of  Elvis presley or,
> say, Charlie Christian is probably a waste of time, the two both
> representing important aspects of the establishment and development of
> the instrument and it's use and repertoire.

Yes, some people are interested in whom is the best on an instrument,  
and some are more interested in whom did more to PROMOTE interest in  
an instrument (whether deliberately or by association). I agree that  
if it is a good harp, play it in good health.

Some harps have dumb names anyway. Golden Melody is cute, Marine Band  
is nostalgic, but I will wait for the name special-20 to change to  
the Charley McCoy. (p.s. already HAVE a Charlie Musselwhite..... tee  
hee)

smokey-joe

> RD