Re: [Harp-L] Old timers on harp

[philharpn@xxxxxxx]

After reading the comments attacking Bobby Darin's harp playing, I went 
back to the YouTube and played it a few more times.

I not only found no objections to his performance, I really liked it.

I think it works as part of the "Midnight Special" (more of a Sonny 
Terry than Little Walter tune/rendition) and as a cross harp 
performance. I don't care if the haters don't like him; Darin works for 
me.

Sure, Darin is no Little Walter clone; but who is?

Dylan, Petty, Springsteen, Morisette play chordal straight harp, as I 
recall. Dylan is the only one I'm familiar with and it has been months 
since I've listened to him.

Phil


-----Original Message-----
From: Richard L Williger <rlwilliger@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wed, Jul 8, 2015 9:31 am
Subject: [Harp-L] Old timers on harp

With respect to slamming Bobby Darin's lack of harmonica chops, I think 
(and
I'm not trying to spark a debate here) that the listening public tells 
us
what is popular.  Listen to Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, 
Alanis
Morisette, and others who have "made it,"  and tell me what you think of
their harp abilities.  However, look at where they are, and look at 
where we
are.  I won't get into the discussion of "color" use of harp, or 
technical
abilities.
Listen to early recordings of popular guitar - everything from Elvis to 
the
Beatles, and everything in between.  The lead guitar work in The Beach 
Boys'
60's stuff was, then, groundbreaking.  Put it up against Eric Johnson, 
EVH,
Zappa, etc., and it sounds like the early folks were playing on the 
toys we
had as kids.
Technique, like anything else, evolves.  Bobby Darin's use of harp is 
to be
acknowleged, celebrated if you want, but don't dismiss it, lest you 
miss a
link in the chain.
Just my two cents on a Wednesday morning.

Rik Williger
Nowhere, Ohio