Re: [Harp-L] interesting stuff out there (backing a Singer)

Backing up a Singer is an art form in itself and probably one of THE most difficult aspects in the big sphere of musical performance.

In NON musical terms the best way I can explain it, is a quote Tommy Morgan told me over the phone a few weeks ago.

We were chatting about backing up Singers and Bands etc. Tommy said that when he was asked how he lasted SO LONG in this Business, his answer was simple......"I never forgot WHO's record it was that I was playing on." To me THAT says it all.

You HAVE to listen to the Singer, you HAVE to follow the Singer, if you REALLY listen, they will actually send you signals on what and when to play behind them. Like Chris did on that Sting song...not only was he getting inside the moment but he was getting direction from the Singer at the same time. BTW, really nice Job Chris! You really have to work on the 'weaving' of dynamics with musical statements that will breathe and sync up with the Singer at the same time leaving that HOLY area called SPACE.

Another short story, I was chatting with a Music Director friend who has go on to TV and other Conducting and Musical Director gigs....one night many years ago on Broadway he was leading a rockin' lil' band in the orchestra pit. Well I guess they were starting to 'groove' a bit too hard and started playing for themselves in the heat of the moment....

at the end of the act....The Stage Director walked over to the pit and was very angry! "He said I already told you guys about this and your NOT hearing what I'm saying...." The guys responded, man, what are you talkin about we were playing great down here!!!

The Director retorts, "That's just what I mean!!!! It ain't about'ch Y'ALL !!!"

Obviously the Singers and the action on Stage was WHAT it was about and you just have to know HOW to play each gig and WHO hired you,-)

Welcome to the Music BUZNESS folks,-)

all the best,
Rob Paparozzi


----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael D'Aurizio " <mdaurizio@xxxxxxxx>
To: <jim.alciere@xxxxxxxxx>; <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 4:46 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] interesting stuff out there


Amen on "making the singer the star" that's not old fashion, that's still the object of a band with a vocalist.(In my opinion) The vocals tell the story,the instruments support it. There's nothing worse than "fighting" the band all night long. It harms the vocalists instrument, and limits their performance.

                            Mike
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: jim.alciere@xxxxxxxxx
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 21:29:58
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] interesting stuff out there

Usually I don't listen to contemporary harmonica players when I go through
You Tube, it's more entertaining to watch Jimi set his guitar on fire, or
actually see Howling Wolf (if Mike Tyson could sing, that's what he'd sound
like).

Here's some stuff I saw and liked:

I really like Mr Dijgraaf's stuff. I'm a sucker for brazillian music any
way and the guy plays it well.

I also enjoyed Sourau Choudray's piece (excuse me if I misspelled your
name). I never heard Indian music on a harmonica before.

And at the risk of sounding ridiculously petty, although Jason Ricci is the
best harmonica player I ever heard and he plays stuff that would be
impossible for any three other harp players to play, I can't handle Grateful
Dead length harmonica solos.

There's a great video of Little Walter playing with KokoTaylor. A of a bunch
of cool guys in sharp suits backing up a sultry singer with good pipes. I
liked how the band functioned as a unit and I liked how they left a huge
amount of space for the singer. I know it's old fashion but I like having
the singer be the star, and have the band really working hard at making the
singer sound good and look good.
--
Rainbow Jimmy
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1372404/dhoozh_chapter_1.html <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1372404/dhoozh_chapter_1.html>
http://www.myspace.com/theelectricstarlightspaceanimals <http://www.myspace.com/theelectricstarlightspaceanimals>
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