Re: [Harp-L] Harmonicas and respect

[Larry Marks <larry.marks@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Richard Hunter wrote:
> I mean, the guy was the pinnacle of the blues, for Pete's sake.  If you're going to slam him for that, why don't you slam T-Bone Walker and Stevie Ray Vaughn while you're at it?
I don't believe that anything I wrote in my message was a slam at Little 
Walter. This is what I said:

"And, alas, as much as Little Walter influenced me as a blues player, as 
unique as his playing was, as good as his gift was, he was handicapped 
as a musician. Do you think it was a badge of pride for him that he 
didn't know any music theory? Do you think he would recommend that young 
musicians avoid learning music theory because it will make them better 
players? Do you think he could have been an even better player if he had 
had some training?"

Now, if he couldn't read, then he would have had to have music 
interpreted for him. That's a handicap. His inability to discuss his 
music technically with other musicians would also be a handicap. But 
notwithstanding, I don't see how any of that is a "slam" at Little 
Walter's playing.

If you want a slam, then try this. I actually don't like every single 
thing that he played. There are things I have heard Howard Levy play 
that I didn't like. There is work by T-Bone Walker and Stevie Ray Vaughn 
that I don't like listening to. There is also work by Mozart, Beethoven, 
Bird. Coltrane and Ol' Blue Eyes that I didn't care much for. And I bet 
if you search your soul, you could say the same thing.

 -LM

BTW, I never heard anything by Bill Evans that I didn't like.