Re: Subject: Re: [Harp-L] you tube vids

"Bob Laughlin" <rlaughlin@xxxxxxxxxxxx> · Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:03:46 -0700

I know. I agree with all that you've said, and foresaw the potential reaction I'd get by my posts. I got one private nay, your public maybe, and four private amens. I think probably there would have been, or possibly will be more "nays", or even more "amens" before the "votes" are tallied, but I didn't do it for the votes. I just had to get my groove on,,haha.

I thought it'd be funny. It was, but not to all.

Someone wrote to me about the "white guy" stereotype, and the issue of "marginalizing" that sector of the community, as the other "colors" are typically marginalized. I've got no problem with it, as I'm "white" (actually somewhat pink, with brown spots, and reddish blotches,,and, well,,purple here and there,,). I'm fully aware of the fact that I'm "marginalizing myself" in my generalizing, even using Chris as a "guinea pig",,(sorry Chris,,forget I even said that,,hehe). I think even "white guys" need to be able to laugh at themselves often.

I grew up a socially paralyzed ham radio geek, unable to communicate with others without a Morse key in hand, and headphones. Even then, the conversations typically ranged from the "size of my antenna", to the "power of my rig",,real MAN stuff,,obviously. 

This "guy" had to take mind-altering drugs (for "medicinal purposes", of course), and face not a few humiliating circumstances in his life in order to BEGIN to know what it meant to "loosen up". I'm just glad I'm still alive, and able to stand up, show off, fall on my face, make fun, and laugh, and have a good time, without worrying about whether I "did it right". I look at it this way,,if you fully commit,,it's right. You get out of it what you put into it. That's where the sweat comes from.

White guys need a break. So many of us are just eggheads, gearheads, and geeks.

I'm SOO appreciative of what happened when some "negro slaves" got aholt of a German made free reed instrument. I'm more than thrilled that it became the means for the expression of their soul, and "nat'chl rythms".

I don't mind being marginalized. Call me what you will, just don't call me later for dinner.

BL

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: EGS1217@xxxxxxx 
  To: rlaughlin@xxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Cc: chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 2:19 PM
  Subject: Subject: Re: [Harp-L] you tube vids

  Hey Bob:

  ..... then you must not have ever attended one of the harmonica Conventions...because what you see in those videos is actually just a smaller version of what happens in any one of the many seminars/shows I've attended at SPAH and Buckeye.  That's how the Hotels are set up...terrible fluorescent lighting in the ceiling...the people putting on the shows and seminars having to work with what they're given...for the record I always end up wearing my shades to these things <G>

   Actually...this particular seminar looked more "lively" than most ...there were some heads bobbing, lol...though I don't disagree with the "whitebread" aspect of it....that's just how the seminars play out.

  ....who do you think makes up the bulk of the attendees at SPAH and the other conventions?  Jason & Chris did a great job by having a rocking band behind the playing...so at least had some great driving  sound...but it was billed as "Rockers in the Rockies" so geared for rock music...and they were there to teach, not put on a show.  That's the difference....

  At Buckeye, 2007, the best effort I've seen so far to make more of a "nightclub" setting was done for the late-night Jazz "Cabaret" ... round tables with tablecloths and candles, with the 4-piece jazz backup ensemble on stage.  For my personal tastes I would prefer the participants not having to go up onstage to front the group...since that's far too nerve-wracking and heavy for me...thinking it could be made more "intimate" and night club'by...with judicious use of microphones.  But it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the people who did play, though it was much too intimidating for me to go up there.  Still, it was a major improvement over the glaring fluorescent lighting we're all so used to. 

  I would have liked to see more of the participants "dancing" in their seats at the Rockies Seminar, though..the way I'd have been doing were I in attendance ;) (your obligatory "wimmens"). 

  ...and they DID take it out to a Blues club the first night from what I understand....

  Elizabeth

  "Message: 6
  Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007 19:48:05 -0700
  From: "Bob Laughlin" <rlaughlin@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
  Subject: Re: [Harp-L] you tube vids
  To: "harp-l" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
  Message-ID: <003501c7b2e5$6df4e790$0200a8c0@lazor>
  Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="iso-8859-1"

  I don't get it. Where's the dim lights, the smoke-filled room, the spilled
  beers, the empty shot glasses, the old, paint peelin' upright in the corner,
  and the wimmens? Where's Tom Waits, growlin' out pure poetry.

  Just a buncha old harmonica geeks in tee-shirts and some fancy effects.

  I just don't get it.

  Where'd that ole' nasty-ass groove go?

  Altogether too white for me. <(/;o>

  BL

  In spite of all the above, listening to Jason Ricci flow makes it all
  worthwhile.

  Get ridda those damn fluorescents. Jeez, it spoils the atmosphere. Reminds
  me of "night school".

  Somebody hand me my shades.

  ----- Original Message ----- 

  > I just posted a couple of you tube vids from jason ricci's rockin in the
  rockies.
  >
  > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyamOiRABq4
  > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn0A0-uQEQE
  ------------------------------

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