[Harp-L] Bob Dylan as harmonica player

[Richard Sleigh <rharp@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I've seen Bob Dylan in the last couple of years, and everything I  
hear him play on the harp falls into the category of "why bother?",  
but I would like to point out that at one time he put down some good,  
if not great rack harp in the tradition of Woody Guthrie and Ramblin  
Jack Elliot. His first album, with the (reversed) photo of a 19 year  
old Bob Dylan, titled Bob Dylan, produced by John Hammond, Sr. has a  
number of tight harp interludes and solos with a fierce driving  
rhythm. It is not everyones cup of tea, but if you like the vibe of  
Woody Guthrie, this recording has a lot of it. By the way, Woody  
Guthrie plays some harmonica on the Library of Congress recordings  
that has a very right on feel, especially when he does a train  
imitation. Not virtuoso stuff, but a haunting and evocative vibe.  
When I listen to these recordings, i feel like I am going back to one  
of the wells that I draw from.

Thats my 2 cents!

Richard Sleigh

shop address:
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