[Harp-L] Blues cliches

["Haka Harri" <harri.haka@xxxxxxxx>]

drori hammer <drori_hammer@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
"This is one  of the (many) reasons why the late Paul deLay was such a great blues artist in my opinion. His Blues was never white or black. It was unaffected and unpretentious, always honest and never an attempt to imitate anybody. He always steered clear of the blues cliche`s, in his singing, his songwriting and his harmonica playing."

Blues cliches is a thin line, both musically and gramatically. It might be funny to hear early 60s Mick Jagger singing "I wants to be loved". But in blues, cliches are essential. Especially on vocals and harp you have to have an understanding of the genre. Just listen to Johnny Dyer and he's right up there with the correct tone and phrasing. Call it a cliche or an essential ingredient is in the ear of the beholder.

Harri