[Harp-L] Re: Butter TV spot

[Ev630 <eviltweed@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for the various responses which have provided lots of food for
thought. John - that in particular is a very thoughtful post - thank you. In
fact there are so many issues bouncing around in these combined posts that
I'd like to address. But I'll wait for Tom Ellis' specific follow up on the
emotion issue before drawing together some of my own thoughts in response.

I have to say that I am still inclined to think that (with some stellar
exceptions) a lot of what is being presented is subjective appreciation of
Butterfield as a performer (why you personally dig him) rather than
objective comparative analysis to define his place in the history of harp
music. (Sorry if that stirs up folks - I also take the view that music isn't
sport - but it's sometimes useful to compare and contrast to better
understand how the music has advanced or what has been contributed
artistically).

Thanks to all,

Drew

On Mon, Dec 21, 2009 at 3:40 PM, John F. Potts <hvyj@xxxxxxx> wrote:

> EV 630 writes to Tom Ellis:
>
> Regards your quote below... A lot of harp players have said or had it said
> about them that the harp mimics a human voice in terms of expressiveness
> and
> communication of emotion. It's a pretty bold and I would think
> controversial
> statement to say that you haven't heard ANY harp player since Butterfield
> "communicate true feeling with his playing". You can't possibly mean that
> in
> a truly objective sense?
>
> I'm enjoying this analysis of Butterfield, and in that context I am asking
> this seriously.
>
> Drew,
>
> I can't speak for Tom Ellis, but players like Wilson, Estrin and Piazza
> interpret a defined style that was developed and established by well known
> ODBGs.  They show amazing technical command of the instrument, great
> musicality, and even some new interpretations and variations of this style.
> But they are largely derivative, imitating, adopting, expanding upon and
>  COMMUNICATING IN a well known and well established style.  So a lot of what
> they do is very similar to stuff that others have played before.  Extremely
> well done, but artistically it's mostly an exploration and expansion of
> something we've heard before and have learned to expect and appreciate.  On
> an emotional level, they don't tell me very much that someone else hasn't
> already said.
>
> Butterfield played in a style uniquely his own.  He did not imitate.  His
> playing moves me because it goes other places.  Whether you call it rock,
> jazz blues or whatever, the note placement and phrasing takes you somewhere
> different.  It's not the SOS done with more flash and style.  It's
> originally individual and provokes a sense of intensity and anticipation as
> PB blows in completely new directions and then STOPS (a la Junior Wells)
> immediately as soon as his musical statement is complete. Such urgency and
> economy makes a powerfully intense emotional statement i can immediately
> relate to and which rivets my attention and holds my curiosity. I just don't
> get that from guys who play in the more traditional style who are expressing
> well crafted variations on musical ideas we've heard before and making
> statements have learned to listen for and  expect to hear.
>
> I don't know what "true feeling" Tom is talking about, but i find very
> powerful emotion in PB's playing. I'm hard pressed to think of anyone since
> who compares.  For emotional urgency, economy of expression and provocative
> artistic statement, Junior Wells is pretty intense and, quite frankly, I am
> consistently moved by the intensity and emotion in the harp playing of
> Howlin' Wolf. But they came before PB.
>
> I may be forgetting some players. But offhand i just can't think of any who
> make more consistently powerful and unique emotional statements with such
> provocative artistic expression when they play harmonica than these three.
> These guys consistently reach me at an emotional level that other players
> only visit every now and then. Their playing almost always communicates
> something i haven't heard elsewhere.  For my money, that's fully realized
> artistic expression. But that's just how i happen to feel about it. YMMV.
>
> FWIW.
>
> JP
>