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

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Guess it's all in one's taste. My experience is so opposite to yours...I  
can't get enough of Jason's playing, and he hasn't yet 'worn me out' in 6  
years.  Despite being to so many of his shows, I'd always still look  forward 
to the next one with great eagerness although many other pro  harmonica 
players still have the ability to leave me quite  bored...even to putting me to 
sleep with their solos. I'm chafing while  waiting for J to recoup and get 
back to playing although I love him enough  I care more for his health than 
his performances. There are priorities. 
 
 I'm sure his next incarnation will be even better than the last, and  he 
can play as much and as long as he wants when I'm his audience...since it's  
always innovative and brilliant which is the key to just who Jason Ricci is  
as a performer. Funnily enough, my husband who isn't remotely interested in 
 harmonica playing per se - is also a huge fan of Jason's and is  usually 
more than willing to drive to any and every show within a  reasonable 
distance.
 
I've said this before - no Convention is as good for me if  he's not in 
attendance...he brings such an electricity to any SPAH or  Buckeye I've been 
to..
 
To my ears there is never a re-run of the same tired old riffs with J.  
Each show is a new adventure with each song played differently from  the last 
time I heard it..but you'd have to be there and hear the performances  to 
recognize just what he's doing. He also has never rested on his  laurels..never 
'phoned in' a performance, never played it just to play it. Based  on the 
whoops and cheers from  the rapt audiences (many of whom are  harmonica 
players) everywhere he goes, I know I'm only one of thousands who feel  the same 
way. 
 
Very few harmonica players could carry it off the way he  does...IMO
 
Here's (again) a great audio performances of his - accompanying Heidi and  
the ElCats on 'Going to California'...an oldie but goodie.
 
 
_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rePmSFHfh0_ 
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rePmSFHfh0) 
 
purely beautiful...his harmonica and her voice.
 
 
I've just read a very interesting series of comments on Adam Gussow's blog  
going back to last April - on just what it is Jason does play as far as 
Blues is  concerned.  Barbecue Bob Margulies had the very best comment and I'm  
saving his for posterity. 

 
 
Elizabeth
 
"Message: 9
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2010 14:20:33 -0700
From: "John Dekker"  <jdekker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] gig (about  solos)
To: <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxx>, <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>

JJ  Cale is a master of the use of space around notes. He never plays five
notes  when one will do. I like the harp played the same way. While I admire
Jason  Ricci's skill, for example, he wears me out after a while. Same with
Stevie  Ray Vaughan on guitar. I saw him live once, and he had to play a mad
solo on  every song. Too much, IMO.