[Harp-L] Playin' blues in any color

[Steve Merola <stevemerola@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Jul 2, 2009, at 12:07 PM, David Fertig wrote:
>
> Yet, some blues players (not only harp) seem to try to come across
> as other than who they are.  How many of us have encountered white
> blues players who affect a fake accent and costumes, let alone life
> stories and personas?  Even if they play well, it can feel ilke a
> vaudeville act, or a "re-enactment."

I like this. I like it a lot. When I see someone using gimmicks, they
loose points.
smo-joe
>
> But those that play straight from the heart need no bonafides, it's
> in the music, whether you like it or not.
>
> -Dave "I wish I was Sam Clemens, but I ain't him" Fertig
> _______________________________________________
I think copying someone's solos note for note is much more of a
"re-enactment" than a simple name change, a hat, and/or a suit. At least
it's not someone elses music or name. Hopefully not someone elses suit! LOL!
Howlin' Wolf.....Muddy Waters......Little Walter.....B.B. King...... Poppa
Chubby??? Are these really their names? There IS some tradition in blues to
create a new name and persona. Howlin Wolf certainly was a different man
offstage than on. And what about a guy who played in the tri-state NYC area
named Bob Miller? David Johansen aka Buster Poindexter plays with Hubert
Sumlin. It may be blues but it's still showbiz.
Peace
Steve Merola aka Billy Lightcap aka Colfax Adams etc. etc...
(some names changed to protect the guilty)