Re: [Harp-L] Greatness goes unnoticed -- one more spool

[Gary Warren <gdubya@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In my opinion, if Howard Levy were going unnoticed, you wouldn't hear 
him playing in the band on Prairie Home Companion at all.  He's 
noticed.  We know who he is.  Garrison knows who he is and has him on 
the show.  He's playing with wonderful musicians and is one 
himself.  He could play beautiful piano for you too if I recall.

I'm more inclined to think about and discuss players who also have 
great skill and aren't getting any attention at all.  I know a couple 
of them used to be on this list and lurk at the present time.  I know 
that there are likely others that are on this list and are active and 
don't get recognition.  I listen to PHC occasionally.  I enjoy the 
banter and the music and the jokes, but I don't spend time analyzing 
how much of an introduction or lack thereof any performer gets.  I'm 
more interested in who the unknown players are that aren't discovered 
-- like the recent post of the young lady on youtube, playing very 
good and not being "discovered".  I particularly laughed at the vid 
of her song for the "haters" on the internet.

And suddenly a Mellencamp song (sorry I'm from Indiana, but not 
apologizing for being from there) pops into mind.

"Play Guitar"

You may drive around in your town
Ina brand new shiny car
Your face in the wind your haircut's in
And your friends think you're bizarre
You may find a cushy job and I hope that you go far
But if you really want to taste some cool success
You better learn to play guitar

[Chorus:]
Play guitar-play guitar [3x]

You got your eye on the cheerleader queen
You're walkin' her home from school
You know that she's only seventeen
She's gonna make you a fool
You know you can't touch this stuff
Without money or a brand new car
Let me give you some good advice young man
You better learn to play guitar

[Chorus]

All women around the world want a phony rock star
Who plays guitar
You can pump your iron and shine your shoes
And wear your hair just right
You go down out on cruisin' street
'Cause you want to score tonight
Ra da ra da ra da
And you really want to show your scars
Forget all about that macho shit
And learn how to play guitar

So why doesn't someone write a song about a harmonica like this one 
and push it up the charts?
Or would you really want one like this for harmonica?  All the women 
want a phony rock star that plays harmonica(r)?
:-)



GW





At 11:29 AM 6/22/2008, Michael Rogers wrote:
> David Payne wrote:
> > "But then apparently Keillor isn't the only one neglecting Howard! 
> > Here at the harp-l chatterbox cafe, even harmonica enthusiasts 
> > didn't take notice of their greatest pioneer performing on national radio. "
> >
> >
> >
> >   It might just be me, but I don't think Harp L is teeming with 
> > regular "Prarie Home Companion" listeners. Of course, there's a 
> > lot of shows that haven't had him on at all. Isn't that more of a diss?
> >   Dave
> >   ________________________
> > Dave Payne Sr.   Elk RIver Harmonicas
> >   www.elkriverharmonicas.com
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> > Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
> > http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l
> Howard is on of my heroes. He appears on P.H.C. frequently, but I 
> don't always catch it. Maybe this thread has reached the end of it's spool.
>
> bullfrog
> _______________________________________________
> Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
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--
Gary Warren

"I take my woman on the beach, fellas, and set down in the sand
 and play."  Muddy Waters (Deep Down In Florida)