RE: [Harp-L] Blues Traveler in Idaho falls, July 20, 2009

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

I have to agree with Richard.

I'm the guy who transcribed EVERYTHING he played on the"four" album, note for note, for publication in the album songbook.

I assure you, there was very little (if any) repetition in what he played, and he did not rely primarily on triplets.

The irony is that when you slow his stuff down, there's an amazing variety of material and a lot of it sounds much more expressive and interesting at a slower speed. At actual speed, it goes by so fast that it sound like a blur. That may have a lot to do with the impression registered by RhytmShark (and others; it's a widely held perception).

Winslow

Winslow Yerxa

Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5

--- On Thu, 7/23/09, Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

From: Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Blues Traveler in Idaho falls, July 20, 2009
To: "RhythmShark" <RhythmShark@xxxxxxxxxxxx>, icemanle@xxxxxxx
Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2009, 7:01 AM

 RhythmShark wrote:
>John Popper is a one-trick pony.  His solos are just a barrage of triplets
>with no melody, line, start or finish.

His solos may include some repetition, but boring?  Never.  

I also doubt very strongly that Popper repeats himself more than most blues harp players do.  Repetition is in fact one of the key structural elements in most blues harp solos.  In Popper's case, it just happens at supersonic speeds.

He is anything but a one-trick pony.

Thanks and regards, Richard Hunter

author, "Jazz Harp"
latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
more mp3s at http://taxi.com/rhunter
Vids at http://www.youtube.com/user/lightninrick
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