Re: [Harp-L] gig (about solos)

["Doug H" <dough.harpl@xxxxxxxxx>]

I'd be pretending if I claimed I could muster a good solo, original or otherwise, but that doesn't stop me from knowing what I like.

Rainbow Jimmy said: <snip>

>Also--I think harmonica sounds better in small doses, so I'm going to get
>the courage to be on stage with just bass, drums and guitar, and play
>nothing for large section of the song. If they want to play for 15 minutes
>that's fine--I'll put in my 60 second solo and then sit out.
>-- 
>Rainbow Jimmy

My all-time favourite example of the less is more school of soloing is the guitar solo on "After Midnight" off of J.J. Cale's album, "Naturally".  

If you listen to the specific cut off this album you will walk away remembering how amazing and tastefully right-on the guitar was.  But later when you listen again you realize that he only solo'd for a few bars on the whole cut.  He makes no attempt at flash, and even slips down in the mix at one point.  Super human restraint.

"Quality gets remembered; quantity fades away."  -anonymous.

Harp content:  Ed Colis does a good job playing down in the mix, weaving in and out of the horn section on "The Woman I Love" off the same album.  (Use headphones.)

Doug H