[Harp-L] Harp-L] A Limited Group? (was Re: Loud extreme amps)

[David Fertig <drfertig@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hey Sonny Jr., I think you finally got my goat here.  Of course we?d all love to learn from our
favorite players live, which you did much of, and that's great.   And I agree loud ain?t proud.  
(?Tho I?m proud of Jason!)

I disagree with your characterization suggesting hierarchy or dichotomy, that if one didn?t
actually spend extensive time with the ?old timers? then one is somehow only derivative of
Howard Levy, and not in a  limited group of (bonafide old Chicago blues harp players or those
who?ve spent extensive time with them?)

I?m sure you meant something nicer. And something less burdensome to Howard, who deserves lots of credit, if not all that. 

Anyway, lots of pros and amateurs - and even minor hacks like me - sometimes play good
(sometimes even great!) bonafide get-down funky (Chicago, if you like) old-school style blues
harp, because their lives lead them to it, regardless of whether they knew and learned directly
from the greats.    Learning comes from everywhere, as much inside as out.

Don?t you agree?   

-Dave Fertig


SONNYTONE@xxxxxxx Subject: [Harp-L] Re: Loud extreme amps Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 13:40:22 EST To:harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx                Plain Text Attachment     [  Scan and Save to Computer              |  Save to Yahoo!  Briefcase          ]    
 
 As good as Jason Ricci was when I saw him open for Kim Wilson, I could  only   take about a half hour of that blinding volume. Personally, I have  always  mixed  the most volume with the Tone that most of the players who deal  with want,   Chicago style. Everyone has their own thing, but that is my thing. I  don't  need  my ears to ring anymore than they do. Remember, from what the old  timers  told  me, you are playing To the audience, not AT them. But how many  have  actually  spent extensive time with our fathers and grandfathers that  have set the  stage  so we can all be doing what we are. It is a very limited group  from the  Chicago  side, everyone else is pretty much Howard Levy on down.