From: Vince Meghrouni <Foomcorp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: "Eric Garcia" <ericgar85@xxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Lynwood Slim Date: Sat, 26 May 2007 18:55:07 -0700
It's true that it's just words and like you say, it's not sticks and stones. My hackles were raised because I have a lot of respect for people like LS who have learned a tradition and produce a nuanced sound (not speaking just of tone here but all aspects of the playing) within it. I don't think you should sell Slim short to be brief about it. You might be surprised how hard he has worked at his craft. It may not have elements you perceive as being predominantly important, but I do believe you might cut him some slack for those elements which he plainly has worked on, and been successful at developing.
Some playing may deserve a negative connotation when it is disingenuous. I'd be careful in judging whose is and whose is not. I have learned in my many years to not justify myself by bagging on others. Sure, I still do it. But I see it as a false dichotomy. But that's me. You're young, you have the world ahead of you. You have a good sounding band, sound good on the harp (I saw the 'space page). I enjoyed it quite a bit, can dig it indeed. You certainly aren't looking for advice.
I myself work hard at my craft, too. I play sax, flute, drums, harp, sing. Have played with a lot of people, traveled the US and world in the service of it, recorded a fair patch. Within that I have not really played what would be called "commercial" music. I have drummed in punk rock (not the run-of-the-mill mannerist style, mind you) bands and art-freakout bands. I am involved in the free jazz scene, play bop, straight ahead, etc. I also play blues, and quite a bit of the punk-informed, rock-informed, "hairy", sort of approach that you guys use. I play harp in what I consider to be a very unique post-punk rock band that weaves elements of blues within it but is in no way traditionalist. I work on my sax and flute playing constantly, and do not restrict myself whatsoever to traditionalist approach in composition, performance or in the contexts I play within. So I'm not talking "from the other side", as some traditionalist, dixieland fan purist, lover of only old cars, luddite, etc.
Too much about me. I just say all that so you might be convinced that I do understand your point of view. But I've been in the trenches in "showbiz", and learned a lot of respect for people that have carved their way into it. And a lot of respect for people within traditions that hone something less off-the-beaten-path than I have chosen to go, but do it beautifully. Or even just do it with genuine feeling, as you have brought up. So I am hesitant to thrash them verbally in a public forum. I think we should honor those in our craft, those brothers and sisters who have toiled in the vineyards, too.
All? I guess not. I have my despised, certainly. I didn't even burn Kenny G. until I heard that version of the Louis Armstrong tune where he dubbed in his own solo. But he deserves the full public excoriation of all I do believe.
I have spoken too much. Of course you have a right to your opinion. Of course you are free to feel as you do. What do I know? Ultimately, not a whole lot. I'm preaching, and who the hell needs that. I mean no disrespect.
Rex "Rich" Tobago Note-mangler Clam generator Consultant to the non-existent Etc.
On May 26, 2007, at 5:11 PM, Eric Garcia wrote:
you got it, dad. i know what it means. and some playing does deserve a negative connotation when it it disingenuous. some players work very hard at thier craft, and i believe they have a right to comment when they feel sold short. ..btw.. this isn't directed towards Lynwood in any way anymore,, but in general,, i think we all can relate to that feeling... it's just an opinion and comment by one guy,, nobody's gonna loose and eye.. e
From: Vince Meghrouni <Foomcorp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: "Eric Garcia" <ericgar85@xxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Lynwood Slim Date: Sat, 26 May 2007 16:53:12 -0700
Don't tell me to relax, son. Regurgitate means vomit. It has a negative connotation.
On May 26, 2007, at 2:09 PM, Eric Garcia wrote:
um.. sometimes people "regurgitate"... fact. in just about any art form... nuthin wrong with it. everyone has done it. relax
From: Vince Meghrouni <Foomcorp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: "Eric Garcia" <ericgar85@xxxxxxxxxxx> CC: IcemanLE@xxxxxxx, harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Lynwood Slim Date: Sat, 26 May 2007 13:39:04 -0700
Sometimes the young are able to characterize the loving and careful development of the ability to play in a very nuanced but perhaps seemingly simple style as "regurgitation".
On May 26, 2007, at 1:35 PM, Eric Garcia wrote:
there is a little bit of a lot of people in just about everyone's playing..
you guys are missing my point.
it's fun tryin to pick up others in an inspired musican's (no matter what the level) playing.
... my comment about lynwood was not personal towards him or any of his
fans.. i heard a simple regurgitation of harmonica licks,
(as many do) and agreed with
a previous comment on this subject.
..there is a difference.
eric
From: Vince Meghrouni <Foomcorp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: IcemanLE@xxxxxxx CC: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Lynwood Slim Date: Sat, 26 May 2007 12:24:25 -0700
And am I wrong in thinking I heard some LW lix in WJ also?
It's a little pet theory or mine that musical phrases, motif's, etc., are sort of a stream living through time passed through people and added to, further enlivened, etc., (or not), sort of like DNA.
I'm like you, someone says, "hey, you sounded like '_______' in that solo", and I'm proud as hell to have one of the masters cited.
On May 26, 2007, at 11:57 AM, IcemanLE@xxxxxxx wrote:
In a message dated 5/26/2007 12:58:17 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, BiscuitBoy714@xxxxxxx writes:
I remember once when another harp player at a gig told me I was just
copying
Magic Dick. I said REALLY, you could tell? COOOOL. I had a way of doing
some
of Wammer Jammer
and Whammer Jammer is a song created by copying a bunch of James Cotton
licks. and so on.....
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