Re: [Harp-L] But when it comes right down to it,,

["Tom Muck" <tmuck@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I think that as band got larger and personnel changed more frequently,
> the intertwining thing, delightful though it is, became unworkable. It
> requires a small ensemble who have the time (or the instantaneous and
> unlearnable compatibility) to develop musical communication. Otherwise
> it just turns to a tangle of competing noise.

I don't think it requires that much communication to play blues -- you 
should be able to fit in with any ensemble. I just think the music falls 
flat when half the musicians drop out. When you have a guitar and harmonica 
only (with bass and drums) and the harmonica drops out for the guitar solo, 
the music is thin sounding. The harmonica has to stay in the mix playing 
backup to keep the music sounding full. That's just my opinion, based on 
recordings that sound full to me compared to live shows that are often weak 
sounding.

Tom