Re: [Harp-L] Old timers on harp

[Mike Wilbur <mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hater's. Not

Mike Wilbur


> On Jul 9, 2015, at 2:37 PM, philharpn@xxxxxxx wrote:
> 
> 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
> 
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