[Harp-L] Re: Digging Dancers (Was Re: Wes Weston)

[David Fertig <drfertig@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dancers in response are a nice counterpoint indeed.  Reminds me of a  famous Irish Fiddler who, as two pretty lasses twirled gleefully in response to his music, leaned over to me and said, "Now, THAT's why I play!" 

And, Andy, I seem to recall having seen you at "Nothin But" in my one visit there December '05.    You played wonderfully, and the room was appreciative and packed, indeed!  There wasn't hardly room enough for even one slinky responsive dancer!  Unfortunately I had to follow you, but that's life at blues jams . . .

As for US audiences, I think they're fine, if a bit jaded and geritoled, I'd say it's the business around music (including radio formatting and the "star-maker-machinery") that keeps roots music down on "the farm."   

But blues' and R&B's demand for honesty always helps sharpen the edge of each wave of musical renaissance throughout the world, it'll never die, so long as there are people who dance to music that moves 'em!

-Dave Fertig


av1901@xxxxxxx
Subject: [Harp-L] Re: Wes Weston
Date: Sun, 06 Jan 2008 18:37:14 -0500
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx

 THANKS for posting the Wes Weston clip:

Wes Weston is a monster player! I've been on that spot at Nothin' But the Blues in London on a Monday jam night a few years back. One of my all time blues harp highlights playing there for a packed audience of really apreciative blues fans. 

As far as the clip... I only wish we could see more of the lovely female dancer..... I mean... Wes' amp and his cupping technique. Yeah, that's what I meant. 

How many of you harp players have had the joyous good fortune of a front row female dancer bringing your playing to new heights? Not just dancing with someone else in front of the band, but doing almost a call & response, one on one dance with you while you play? 

Any other Americans ever get the feeling that audiences outside the US appreciate blues more than US audiences these days? 

Andy Vincent
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