[Harp-L] Re: Muddy and Sonny Boy11 video



Jim wrote:
"I like the part where Muddy winces at some of Sonny Boy's sour notes. The video clip is from the American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966, Vol. 1."


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I've got volumes 1 and 2 of those DVDs. Great stuff but, make no mistake about it, it's not like you'll be magically transported back to a Mississippi juke joint or some South Side bar in the '50s. No, these performances were done on elaborate sound stages in Europe for seated audiences in suits and dresses. And the performers were all on their "best" behavior.
It's GREAT too see some of my heros in the flesh but some of the performances IMHO were less than stellar. While Muddy hit a home run with "Mojo" on volume 1, I thought SBWII's harp really didn't fit there. It could/should have been an amazing platform for an amplified master like Junior Wells or Big Walter.
Also, I thought Sippie Wallace's version of "Women Be Wise" was cool the first 60 seconds or so - then she just started singing the same verse over and over and over - and over - again.
In volume 2 I cringed throughout Victoria Spivey's "Black Snake Blues" the first time I watched it, largely because of SBWII's weak, out-of-place playing (now, I LOVE the guy - but his playing here sucked). Now, I just skip past it when I'm watching the DVD.
MN







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