Re: [Harp-L] Politics and Blues Harp

[46long Blake <46long@xxxxxxxxx>]

I would argue that the idea of "pontificating orthodoxy" is a highly
subjective term. There's a big difference between an artist singing an
original anti Iraq war song, especially if it has a particularly
haunting 3rd pos. harp solo, and an artist ranting about Ron Paul, or
demanding to see the president's birth certificate between songs.

 I also think that most people wouldn't have such a hair trigger,
jumping at shadows, that they would leap up and leave if, for example,
 the same artist followed said song with a thank you to the president
for ending the war.  I have somewhat strong poitical beliefs, and that
means that roughly 50% of Americans disagree with me most of the time.
As an artist, I try to be respectful of this, as I am in my classroom,
and would never assume, in a public gathering, that I am preaching to
the choir. I've been at clubs where artists have "pontificated
orthodoxy" a bit, and my usual reaction, regardless of whether I agree
or not, is to roll my eyes, and wait for the next song. If it takes
too long, I'll go get a drink or use the toilet.

One last thing, PC isn't aligned with the left or right. Although it
can sometimes be cartoonishly extreme, mostly what is called
"political correctness" is simply thinking about someone other than
yourself when you speak. That's about being humane and courteous, not
political.

Insurance harp-content opinion palate-cleanser: Musselwhite's "Christo
Redentor' off of "Tennessee Woman" is the greatest harp-centered
composition ever. There. Fight over that instead of politics.......

On 12/15/11, Larry Marks <larry.marks@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Full Disclosure:  I am a progressive Democratic Party activist and a
> Wiccan. I suspect I am about the same age as Mr. Kumpke (~70). I suspect
> that we disagree about almost everything except our love for the
> harmonica and our disdain for politics in music.
>
> While I find most right-wing and/or Christian music incredibly insulting
> and obnoxious, I find most left wing music incredibly insulting and
> unbearably sappy. I really am not interested in this stuff. It does not
> float my boat.
>
> For entertainment, I prefer non-political blues with its combination of
> Christianity, sex, drugs and pagan magic. In the average blues
> performance (including mine,) there is something to offend everyone.
>
>    -LM
>


-- 
EPK: http://www.sonicbids.com/46long

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/46-Long-Fan-Page/115326788481704

Buy my CD! -
http://www.cdbaby.com/46long1

46 Long on itunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/off-the-rack/id386468726
<http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=261040511>