Re: Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Closed Doors/JJ Milteau



Quote "he was wailing too much over the vocals. Nice harp playing, but that kind of grated on me."

Bill I understand what you're saying and I know it could be surprising to hear an harmonica at the same level of the vocals, it reminds me what Mark Knopfler was saying about his sound when he's playing country music, that many country music fans were not ok with overdrived sound in this kind of tracks. It 's a matter of taste and J.J has sure choices of taste.

Jean-Jacques is one of the top of the line musician in the word. He worked with many great artists and singers (not only in France/ Europe). Jean-Jacques has played in 75 countries along the last 35 years, he has produced more than 10 CDs. So he knows what he's talking about.

His last album "Soul Conversation" is one of his most achieved CD. It's hard to believe that J.J hired Michael Robinson and Ron Smith to ruin their outstanding singing. Jean-Jacques CARES about music, he's a harmonica player yes, but he's a musician first. He has spent the last 25 years to refine and refine again his music, removing all what is not necessary and keeping what counts on a song.

So playing WITH and not against a singer, is like another music part, like the bass or the guitar, it doesn't damage anything. There' re no rules in the music, everything works as long as you want it and that serves the music. I reckon some J.Geils Band songs, Canned Heat, Texas and so many more the harmonica player sometimes is playing with the singer.

The last thing I can say is this video is from a Live session and recording a live session is always tricky, because it 's rare to find a Live video that catch the emotion of a moment, the acoustic of a place, etc....

Bill I'm sure that you'll be thrilled by his last album "Soul Conversation" please give it a shot and I'm sure you'll get soul shivers and goosebumps.

Christelle Berthon


Official website : http://www.christelleharpqueen.net http://www.youtube.com/christellester http://www.myspace.com/christelleberthon




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