Re: [Harp-L] Billy Branch - far from generic

[Mike Best <mike.d.best@xxxxxx>]

Sorry to stray off topic, but back in the 80's I spent 18 months backpacking around the world. At one point I found myself in Chicago and while I was there I journeyed out to a pub in the burbs to see Billy Branch. I got there early and wound up playing pool with a few guys, one of whom turned out to be the great man himself. (He didn't actually tell me that, he only introduced himself as Billy and I had to wonder about it until it was time for him to leave the table and get up on stage to play). He's a cool guy, and his playing is definitely not "generic" in my book

Mike

> On 1 Nov 2014, at 3:10 am, Harri Haka <harri.haka@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> I learned my basic harmonica in the 70s by listening to blues harp recordings, which were scarce then, and reading the only available instruction book by Tony Glover. Years later I noticed a quote from Glover describing Billy Branch as a "generic" harp player. I wonder what this could mean in the context of blues harmonica. Maybe Glover considers himself the opposite, meaning a brand that people are willing to pay more for because of added value. Branch is a talented player who combines traditional Chicago style with a distinctive add of his own. Tony Glover doesn't come close.
> Harri