Re: [Harp-L] Greunling/Guyger Tour Last Night

Jamie Bell <jamesbell@xxxxxxxxxxx> · Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:03:55 -0400

I did not mean to suggest that harp players are loud by themselves;  
obviously guitar players and even rhythm sections are the main  
culprits. What I meant is that east coast blues bands seem to me to  
be louder and lacking in the dynamics displayed in the classic  
recordings of post-war bands (from LA to Chitown to Gotham) because  
many rhythm sections and guitar players here have been influenced  
more by rock-blues bands than their w.c. counterparts. I realize that  
is a huge generalization worthy of flaming or flogging, but I have  
found it to be true from ME to FL. The Greunling gig would have been  
a lot quieter had it not been for the acoustics of the room, which  
was a converted warehouse space with exposed brick walls. Personally,  
I think an appropriate stage volume is one where a couple can have an  
audible conversation 10 ft. from the bandstand. I could do that at a  
William Clark gig with Eddie Clark on drums. I could even do that at  
a Piazza gig with Junior or Alex and Jimi Bott. That Little Walter  
tribute band in Montreal is even quieter. I would have been able to  
do it at the Greunling gig in a different room. All great players  
with great dynamics. Too many instrumentalists use volume to cover a  
lack of musicianship.
On Mar 18, 2008, at 8:03 AM, Robert Paparozzi wrote:
PLLLLLLLL-eeeze gang....."Dynamics" are NOT geographically based  
nor are

they found in "whatever" vintage or boutique amp you've saved your  
pennies

for...and "harp players do not need take note" (only), as WE are  
not the

offenders.....but IMO, EVERY musician needs to pay attention to the  
sonics

of their instrument mind and body as they play....then the world  
and our

eardrums would be a better place!,-)
The gear has a very small part to do with you or your bands 'dynamic
sense'...it HOW YOU control them....
"east or west using your 'inner dynamic' is the best".....
Best,
"east coast" rob

On 3/18/08 7:39 AM, "Bernie Clarke" <bclarke1@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Odd comment because Rod Piazza's louder than anybody should be.   
Dennis was

likely using one of his "Harp King" amps.  All West Coast  
creations.  The

best band to see for dynamics that I have seen in a long time (no  
harp

content) Sean Carney!  There's someone that knows how to use a  
huge dynamic

range (harp players should take note of how he plays).
Bernie Clarke
-----Original Message-----

From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx]  
On Behalf

Of Jamie Bell

Sent: Monday, March 17, 2008 11:48 PM

To: Harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx

Subject: [Harp-L] Greunling/Guyger Tour Last Night
Had a chance to catch Dennis and Steve at a place in Philly last
night in support of their Little Walter tribute cd. Having never seen
Dennis before, I was struck by his youth (I'm old), non-traditional
equipment (or at least the packaging there of) and complete reverence
for Steve's playing which is well deserved. I'm a guitar player who
has backed up a lot of harp players, including Steve many years ago,
so I'm used to seeing a Fender tweed, BF or Gibson amp for the harp
player's rig. Dennis had this big, rectangular, orange colored,
likely boutique combo (might have just been a cab). I hate snooping
around other people's gear. He was also running through a couple of
pedals, none of which I could quite make out. I'm sure people on this
list can fill in all the details. Steve went straight into a beat-up
Concert and sounded great, cleaner and more expressive with fewer
notes than Dennis, who was a bit more distorted which wasn't
surprising given his setup. Great rhythm section from Detroit I
believe (a Rick Holmstrom look alike named Doug Deming on guitar -
should I have heard of him?!) and bassist was the original T-birds
bass player (not Keith Fergusson who is r.i.p.anyway). One irony that
always strikes me seeing modern players pay homage to their idols is
the fact that their volume levels are way higher than the originals,
more so with east coast players than west. Catch these guys if you
can. The tour runs through the 29th of this month for now with more
dates to come. Shout out to Trip and Adam if you read this.
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All the best,
Rob Paparozzi
email:
chromboy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Rob’s My Space (check for upcoming Gigs!)
http://www.myspace.com/hudsonriverrats
Rob’s Session Sites:
http://www.esession.com
http://www.sessionplayers.com
http://www.nysingerscollective.com
Rob’s Web Page:
http://home.earthlink.net/~chromboy/