[Harp-L] Dylan

[IcemanLE@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 10/23/2007 3:26:53 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:

It  always seemed to me that he became deliberately sloppier and more 
perverse as  the years rolled on. I've actually been asked to 'sound like Dylan' on a 
 session and politely told the producer (who was pefectly capable) to do it  
himself as he would have more success than I, having spent my career trying to 
 be able to play the damned thing; to sound like Bob, it's best to just grab 
it  and go.


Perhaps it wasn't deliberate -Dylan was the street performer folkie - Woody  
Guthrie for the 60's generation - the message within his music was his focus,  
not the creating of the music itself. Anything that would detract from the 
words  was delegated to the "back seat" of the vehicle. Unschooled is a good 
term.  Since most of us on this list are focusing on harmonica and it's sound, we 
 probably overshoot where he was coming from. I have a hard time duplicating  
Dylan. My muscle memory has been programmed to create a fuller sound on the  
harmonica, as my creativity lies there and not in creating word pictures.  
Another problem is that when I try to sound like Dylan, a personal residue of  
attitude creeps into my attempt as I don't "love" this style.
 
Rumor has it that Dylan could play pretty good amplified blues harp  when he 
wanted to - showing up and jamming with other musicians over the years. 
 
The Iceman




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