Re: [Harp-L] Subject: Re: Earliest Country Harmonica - Woody Guthrie and Sonny Terry VIDEOS

[Dennis Michael Montgomery <gaulay2@xxxxxxxxx>]

"an 'in your subjective opinion' from your first  response?"  


I thought it was understood that what I was saying was only my opinion.

I appreciate the discourse on Woody and did know that Dylan idolized him.  I also, understand a number of today's performers including Bruce Springstean hold a reverence for Woody.  After reading this history I have a better idea of why.  I have more respect for him as a human, but not as harmonica player.

For me to get inspired I need to hear someone a whole lot better than me.  I believe Sonny Terry was the first or second person to do that for me.  I remember the first time I heard Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee on record I was astounded that two people with just harmonica and guitar could generate some much music and excitement.

Since that time my love for the harmonica and guitar have grown.

Dennis

P.S.  It's nice to know that some folks agree with me.



________________________________
 From: "EGS1217@xxxxxxx" <EGS1217@xxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Sunday, September 22, 2013 7:55 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Subject: Re: Earliest Country Harmonica - Woody Guthrie and Sonny Terry VIDEOS
 

Completely agree with Michael and Steve. And to Dennis--I'd like to  think 
you omitted an 'in your subjective opinion' from your first  response?


Here's another from the immortal writer of 'This Land is Your Land', one of 
the first songs I heard (and fell in love with) when I arrived in NY. 

'Nuff said.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH2DJvgNlMA

Anyone know if it's still Sonny Terry playing harp here or  Woody?

...and if you've never seen Woody Guthrie 'live', here's a clip of Pete  
Seeger from 1964 (I had the privilege of winning a trip to attend a camp 
upstate  NY where Pete came to play--which began my own love of and foray into 
folk  music) talking to a UK audience about Woody and showing a small clip of  
him..perhaps one of the few in existence:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s9FovBfPT0

Elizabeth

"Message: 7
Date: Sun, 22 Sep 2013 16:07:49 -0500
From: Michael Rubin  <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Earliest  Country Harmonica - Woody Guthrie and
Sonny Terry
To: Dennis Michael  Montgomery <gaulay2@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: harp-l harp-l  <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>

Wow Dennis, I think there'd be a lot of people  who would disagree with
you. I'd say hundred's of great songs with  politically motivated purpose.
I would say in terms of godfathering folk  music, he'd be in the top five
names of importance, if not the top  two.
MIchael Rubin
Michaelrubinharmonica.com


On Sun, Sep 22,  2013 at 4:02 PM, Dennis Michael Montgomery <
gaulay2@xxxxxxxxx>  wrote:

> No he wasn't. He wrote a few decent songs and that was it. I  know that
> Pete Seeger called and/or considered him a genius, but I still  can't 
figure
> that one out.
>
> Now, his son Arlo is a  different story. Good musician, good song writer,
> a better singer, and a  real good storyteller.
>
> It makes me think that if I was around  when Woody was around and as bad 
as
> Woody was I would now be considered  great. Yes, yes, I know I'm
> exaggerating my talent, however there are  some of you out there this
> statement does apply  to.
>
>
> Dennis

"Message: 11
Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 01:27:11 +0100
From: Steve Shaw  <moorcot@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Earliest Country Harmonica -  Woody Guthrie and
Sonny Terry
To: harp-l harp-l  <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>


On 23 Sep 2013, at 00:04, "Dennis Michael  Montgomery" <gaulay2@xxxxxxxxx> 
wrote:

> I am sure there are  thousands if not millions that disagree with me.
> 
> I am not  against protest music. In fact, I'm a big fan of Dylan. I also 
admire Joan Baez,  Phil Oaks, Johnny Cash, and Donavon.
> 
> Perhaps, if Woody's  delivery was better I would have paid more 
attention, but when he opened his  mouth my ears ran.
> 
> Dennis

One can only shrug,  Dennis..."