Re: [Harp-L] Why I play the blues

[Richard Hammersley <rhhammersley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Man, you don't play the blues, you HAVE the blues
On 21 Aug 2008, at 14:32, jandkday@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Why I play the blues:
>
> I play the blues because I enjoy low paying gigs as opposed to
> being in a tribute/wedding/coproate band and making real money like  
> my horn players.
> I play the blues because I enjoy playing to disinterested BBQ & NOLA  
> foodies chomping
> away as we are spewing great musical moments.
> I play the blues because I enjoy being locked into a I IV V  
> framework that is
> a challenge to find anything fresh to say.
> I play the blues because I enjoy some ex-jailbird w/ a harmonica  
> gussing me all set long & then
> his son saying he'll "shiv me in my ribs" if I don't let his 'Dad'  
> play.
> I play the blues because I enjoy educating some municipal soccer mom  
> booker that the blues is not necessarily depressing and an  
> antiquated genre.
> I play the blues because I enjoy living next to a 1.5 million  
> populated major metro area that is only
> interested in Karoke & DJ's spinning.
> I play the blues because I love to audition guitar players who play  
> Hendrix & SRV blues.
> I play the blues because I love to audition stand up bass players  
> who play be-bop & don't know how to 'maul' an acosutic bass.
> I play the blues because I enjoy drummers who are aging rockers who  
> hit on the 1&3.
> I play the blues because I enjoy being told by first tier festival  
> promoters that they already have a harmonica act and there are  
> already to many "white faces on the bill"
> I play the blues because I enjoy requests for Sweet Home Chicago,The  
> Blues is Alright and my favorite:
> Mustang Sally.
> I play the blues because even National players are rolling quaters  
> just to make the next 9 hour drive to a poorly routed gig.
> I play the blues because I love opening for do-rag clad,harley T- 
> shirt ,flip flop wearing ,minstrel sounding blues rockers who  
> shuffle at the same meter all night long and the audience LOVES it  
> because they are one of them.
>
> "The blues is a rough & tumble game & is just like scrimping &  
> pimping  in a competition for crumbs"
> -james day
>
>
> --
> James Day & the Fish Fry
> "Jump Blues & Greasy Grooves"
> www.jameswday.com
> _______________________________________________
> Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
> http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l

Richard Hammersley
Grantshouse, Scottish Borders
http://www.last.fm/music/Richard+Hammersley
http://www.myspace.com/rhammersley
http://www.myspace.com/magpiesittingdown