Re: [Harp-L] coltrane

[billhines4@xxxxxxxxxxx]

I agree. I've heard Magic Dick attribute Whammer Jammer to all sorts of musicians - harp players and non harp players, in interviews. Sure maybe it had multiple influences. But maybe he's just having a little fun with the interviewers (and listeners). It's not exactly a philosophical piece. It's  a good rip snorting trip through an A harp on a rock song. 

You can get philosophical about a potato, and see everyone from Jesus to Gerald Ford, or say "it's a potato, gimme some sour cream and chive".

Bill

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Mark Russillo <jruss433@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Without a specific reference to what Mr. Dick cites as inspiration, how would 
> anyone be able to discern which inspiration it might have been.  After hearing 
> Magic Dick play that memorable low solo on "Serves You Right to Suffer" from the 
> J. Geils Band's 1971 album, I suspect he listened to a lot of sax players.
> 
> In those days of abundant recreational drugs in the biker bars of Virginia Beach 
> where they cut their teeth, who's to say for sure without pressing the source 
> directly who or what influenced his playing.  In short, without scholarly 
> evidence, this would still be mere conjecture, evn if he says it was 'Trane.
> 
> Former US Poet Laureate Billy Collins posited in a recent Wall Street Journal 
> article that artists often cite a name as an inspiration (or drop one) because 
> it sounds good, so as not to disappoint the listener.  In his long illustrious 
> career, it may just have slipped Dick's mind where it came from - but it sure 
> was good.  And we can know that for a fact!
> 
> Mark Russillo a.k.a. The Rhode Island Kid