Re: [Harp-L] Subject: re: Playing for Change: Stand By Me

[lsboogie44@xxxxxxx]

Michael, 
Good gosh, Grandpa has surfaced on harp-l.? Talented man on harp and a complex individual to say the least.? He had a sideman that called himself Grandpa's nephew, but I can't vouch for the validity of that bloodline. ? I'm not sure Grandpa slipping in and out of reality was an act.? I think it was a medical/psychological? issue.? Anyway, the two of them had a great street act and did well on the $ from what I saw.? They sure could hustle the tourist and they had choice?locations in the French Quarters?to work from as well.

I'll throw another?harp player from that era?out there for you - who was BentNose?? He used to play in the French Quarters as well.? Sometimes on Royal and sometimes over in Jackson Square with a varied sorting of musicians.

Grandpa tried to convince me one time that he could play classical music on diatonic.? I tried to convince him that I believed him.? Unsuccessfully as it turned out.? He blew some of the most intricate classical that you could imagine.? Then he went on to tell me that he played in a concert?with the Nawlins Symphony Orchestra one time.??I couldn't tell you whether that was reality or imagination, but I can tell you that it was certainly possible based on?the renditions I heard.

later,
Boogie


-----Original Message-----
From: michael rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:22 pm
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Subject: re: Playing for Change: Stand By Me



Grandpa Elliott, aka Ben Smalls, has been blowing harp in the French
Quarter of New Orleans as long as I can remember, so at least since my
first visit there in 1991.   He had 2 acts.  He would play in a duo
whose musical style was reminiscent of Jimmy Reed, with him playing
cross harp and the two players improvising comedy.  He would pretend
to be much less intelligent than he was for this comedy act, somehow
causing his Marty Feldmanesque eyes to roll around as he talked.

Then there was his solo act which I found musically more satisfying.
He is a GREAT straight harp player, able to play nearly any melody and
put in subtle nuances to make each song special.  He was very
influential to me when I was 21, living in New Orleans to learn how to
play harp.

Michael Rubin
Michaelrubinharmonica.com

On 12/27/08, EGS1217@xxxxxxx <EGS1217@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> I just stole this amazing video from Jerry Deall's facebook  page...gorgeous.
> One of the best songs ever, anyway....and what these wonderful  people did
> with it!
>
> Whoo!  brilliant and heart-touching stuff.
>
> Harp Content (there is a wee bit...)
>
> Elizabeth
>
>
> _http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM&eurl=http://www.facebook.com/profil
> e.php?id=690733971_
> (http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM&eurl=http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=690733971)
>
>
>
> or this newer tiny url:
>
>
> http://tinyurl.com/9tv7aa
>
> **************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail,
> Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now.
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