Re: NEW Clapton CD with Jerry Portnoy

[Fernando Toral <ftoral@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Garry Hodgson ha escrito:

> "Smith, Richard" <rismith@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > I previewed this new Clapton CD at Barnes & Noble, and
> > I was a bit disappointed.  It's definitely worth buying
> > because - - hey, it's Clapton.  But my impression was that
> > Jerry Portnoy's harmonica playing was very much soft, and
> > subdued, and way in the background.  I found it hard to
> > hear, because it didn't jump out at me.  Admittedly, my
> > ears are 52 years old, but I don't think it's just me.
>
> i have this same problem with other clapton albums.
> they're about clapton, not about harp.
>
> ----
> Garry Hodgson, Technology Consultant, AT&T Labs
>

oh yes... following the same concept, Muddy Waters (it's just one example, choose any artist or band that includes
a harp player) are his albums, not about harp (?).

But let's go ahead. I didn't have the chance to listen to this EC album, (I can recall "From The Cradle", where JP
also plays) but I know what you mean: don't forget that Jerry, as the other musicians, were called to second
Clapton as sessionist, they are not leaders in this album.
For example, pick "Born In The Delta" by Pinetop Perkins: in this album, Jerry also plays "way in the background"
as you say, but hesounds delicate and intimate as if you were in a small club listening to the band. Sometimes,
harp playing doesn't need to blow your ears to be accurate.

Fernando Toral
Argentina