Re: [Harp-L] Genius? LOL

["J D Hoskins" <jameshoskinz@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I would say that's a given. I'm saying many player's with a lesser level of 
technical mastery are more engaging than a very technical player with no 
energy or charisma, does that bridge the language barrier? It just seems to 
me that there are many players that are so preoccupied with displaying their 
chops that they become boring, I'm talking musician's in general not just 
harp players. I see this as a trend that has progressed in my lifetime. 
Fifties and sixties, not so much, today, seems hard to avoid.

Let's compare James Harman and Howard Levy for example. I know that's a 
little obtuse but I have great respect and admiration for them both, this 
way I won't be bashing anyone.  James doesn't nearly have Howard's technical 
skills as a harp player. But James writes the greatest songs, is an 
outstanding vocalist, and knows how to punctuate, propel, and color his 
tunes with blues harmonica. This appeals to me much more than "look at me 
playing", and I sense that it has more widespread appeal. My favorite Howard 
Levy stuff has been when he's not demonstrating his fantastic chops, but 
just playing. There was broadcast of "this american life" on PBS a few years 
ago that I was amazed to find out was Howard, because it was just simple 
american roots style playing that I had not heard him do, that's when he won 
me over as a fan. But I think Howard's audience is much smaller than James'.

I just always want it to be about the piece, not the musician's chops, I 
don't  view music as an athletic competition, JD