[Harp-L] Harp Soaking ... Juke Joints ... James Cotton

[JohnnieHarp <johnnieharp@xxxxxxxxx>]

> MundHarp said:
> Harp soaking is useless and a waste of time. (IMHO)
> Soaking them just made them worse.
> THEY RIPPED MY LIPS TO PIECES!

Agreed.  It is my recollection that it was this comfort issue that led
to, "harp soaking" in the first place (as opposed to harp flushing or
harp moisturizing).

The harp soaking story that I recall hearing, told of some harmonica
players trimming back swollen tines with a razor blade, so that they
could continue to play.  Before playing the harp subsequently, the
wood needed to be rehydrated so that the tines would be flush or close
to flush with the front of the Harp, thus the need to "soak" the harp.

Now, it may be that this was a very occasional, liquor induced
practice however I can easily imagine in the economically challenged,
rural South of days gone by, that harmonica players might have only
owned and carried one or two harmonicas and therefore would play each
long enough at one sitting that significant comb tine protrusion would
occur. If the player was drinking fluids as well this could further
affect comb swelling.

A kid who was a keen harp player would face the same comfort issue if
playing for hours on end after school or during school holidays. James
Cotton was born in 1935 and was playing pro with Sonny boy Williamson
when he was 13.

Perhaps someone could ask him how he / they dealt with comb swelling
back then, the next time they see him in concert or at a gig? Were
combs sealed and if so, with what?

Anyone have any experience, knowledge or insight into how many
harmonicas a harp player typically would own or have with him at a
juke joint gig?

How long did a harmonica last for the players of the '30s, '40s and
early '50s? What was commonly done to extend it's useful life,
assuming poor economic circumstances of the player and/or limited
harmonica availability generally?

Anyone personally see evidence of Harp soaking at jukes or other gigs?