That was pretty terrible in my opinion.... Although it was cool they had Michael J fox from teen wolf on stage.....
Edit: I should note that I've seen a few of his performances that I really liked.... This just wasn't one of them.
Last Edited by Seven.Oh.Three. on Apr 09, 2013 10:45 AM
I like the groove, expression and effects. I'm interested in which rig does he uses. Possible Digitech Whammy. ---------- Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
That was OK but the thing to take away from this is that Gary Clark jnr's album, Black and Blue is possibly the best blues record to be made in recent times, it really is a masterpiece.
Last Edited by geordiebluesman on Apr 09, 2013 12:47 PM
LD Miller has it in him to be a great harmonica player, not just another windup speed freak; some of his more recent performances shows us real Next Generation playing. This, though, was kinda sucky; muddy tone and garbled runs . There was an absence of musical ideas, but there were lots of effects. This makes me think of Jeff Beck at his least cooperative. ---------- Ted Burke ---------- Ted Burke http://www.youtube.com/user/TheoBurke?feature=mhee
Hey guys! Been off traveling the last few days, and just checked in on the forum again today... I saw this thread, and read some of the comments and I was like "Oh no!". I almost didn't want to watch it. But I did, and I'm really glad I did. I thought it was really fantastic, and shows a new direction for LD. I'm really not sure what anyone could find terrible about it? I'm legitimately confused... The only thing "bad" I hear is really nasty clipping on the video camera mic (I'm willing to bet that it was recorded on and Android phone, as there is a notorious bug on Android that prevents the user from being able to turn down the mic while filming). Personally, I see it as a great mix of the very best from his kid-phenom speed-demon box-pattern days mixed with the groove of his spaced-out jam-band days and infused with an all-new and healthy dose of feeling and soul. To me, this video really demonstrates that LD is coming into his own as a player, singer, songwriter, and performer. I really loved it. And I REALLY loved the FX, especially when he dropped into that synth/oscillator pedal! I've been after that particular tone for years!!!
Oh, and one thing about Gary Clarck Jr.... I agree that his album is super fantastic, but did anyone catch him on Austin City Limits about a month ago? I thought it kinda sucked... It lacked something, and I don't know if that's typical of his live performances (I've only seen the one) or something that night, but it wasn't nearly as good as his recordings... Anyone know the dish on that? ----------
CarlA- lol. Yeah, that guy does look a bit like Mr. Galifianakis!
I like the sound, but it's always hard to tell when the recording quality is off. I keep thinking that it would be cool if someone would build a sound system that was connected to wifi and an app so concert goers could get an actual copy (maybe even raw channels) of the music they are listening too. It probably is more of a legal issue than technological. A lot of bands would be afraid of piracy. (Maybe you could offer access on a for pay basis, or include a code on the ticket.)
@nate: remember that mixing for a live room is quite different than mixing for a record. Often times, even if you record right from the board it still won't sound right. I prefer a nice stereo mic in the room, with the gain set properly, and monitored by someone who knows what they are listening for... But that's QUITE rare! :) ----------
I should clarify - my comment "ouch" was specifically directed at the audio quality. As for the technical aspect of LD's playing, I am not really qualified to evaluate, ala Adam. Although I think Cody has some nice licks and stylings better suited to rock rather than straight up blues. Especially with the effects that he uses. I do admire the soul and PASSION Cody lays down though. Posture? "Stand up straight young man!" (besides you tend to slobber more into your harp when bent over... at least I do)
---------- Go ahead and play the blues if it'll make you happy. -Dan Castellaneta
This video (and the other two he posted from this night) prove to me two things:
1) Lafayette is clearly a MUCH cooler Indiana city than is South Bend.
2) LD has absolutely figured it out. In my mind, he is now the Blues harmonica player that is most poised for true cross-over success. He's found the right mix of traditional and modern, and is making music that appeals to the only fan base that "matters" to record companies. And he seems to be doing it in a way that stays true to music as art, and I admire him for that. I really hope I can make it to one of his gigs before I leave Indiana... ----------
Miller has a bad habit of futzing around too much with the electronics; while I know a good set up can bring new sounds and power to a diatonic player's inspiration, Miller's work comes off muddy and garbled.I will, though, defend what he does with 'Summertime", which is genuinely inspired. He seems to have settled on a setting that suited him and performed the mournful Gerswhin melody soulfully. His virtuosity is in service to the material. His improvisation is tasteful and made exciting with well timed dashes of fast lines and startling note clusters. There is nothing gratuitous about his performance. ---------- Ted Burke http://www.youtube.com/user/TheoBurke?feature=mhee
@IHK: Dude, hate to tell you, but I think you are SOL... I just read on LD's FB page that he's moving to Montana this week... I think they just played their last show in Lafayette at some place called "Preston's" on Sat night... I was down in Indy, otherwise I might have actually driven from South Bend to go see that happen... Sorry to bring the bad news man!
@all: I fully can see how many of you would not like LD's new direction. It's not really blues at all... I know that many of you really love the blues (I do too), and that that's your main bag, and so if you aren't into newer stuff, especially to what's going on in in the indie rock genre these days, you probably aren't going to dig this, and that's cool. But take it from someone who IS into all that stuff, and who's been listening closely to up and coming indie bands, and who knows about the trends: LD's is on point in the new music. I think he might have a shot at it, so I propose that we support our fellow brother in harmonica on his journey! Go on LD! :) ----------
As a self proclaimed rock player/singer, I think he has all the tools, has proven himself times over as a harp player, and has a lot to offer. There are plenty of GREAT clips of LD on YT. The clips posted here do little for me, though, as the quality is horrible and it feels too loose...I like structured jam bands - Allmans, Blues Traveler, Derek Trucks Band, etc.
There is stuff that's too out there for me...not because it isn't musically sound or technically interesting...it is just too much noodling or too unpolished...not really jam music, but rather jamming. Chris Michalek went that direction a lot of the time too, IMO. That doesn't mean it isn't good and won't be successful. It just doesn't hold my interest very long.
***I am not impyling or judging anything beyond my impressions of the clips in this thread...I have sought out other examples of his playing as well, but my comments above are directed at the clips above only. ---------- Mantra Customized Harmonicas My Website
Last Edited by HarpNinja on Jun 11, 2013 6:17 AM
I like LD. LD is good. But I had to stop around the 2 minute mark. I have to wonder if I am the only one who has noticed that ever since he started to work out and get physically toned his harp playing has suffered a bit. Hopefully his newfound physique isn't making him focus more on the ladies than his passion. ---------- Bend it like Ricci - Me
not that they were cutting heads, but if they were.. he got the best of it over Popper.. though Popper seemed to really step back and let him do his thing. For those on the board who have asked about use of effects with harp, this is a good example of how to do it in a rock context and sound pretty cool doing it.
I love Bright Lights. That was good but I hated that they had an acoustic guitar instead of an electric and I think LD didn't switch between vocals and harmonica well. Other than that, excellent.
The Miller/Jon Popper jam posted above was a mess, and confirms my feeling that more than one harmonica player on the stage is a bad idea most of the time. The natural instinct is to solo continuously in a jam and try to constantly play fills and to chord work while the other harpists takes center stage. Soon enough it sounds awful. I did enjoy last vid Adam posted; good, trance like groove going, with Miller and his stage mates keeping it flowing and listening to what is happening with the rhythm section. Interesting that Miller plays keyboards as well. ---------- Ted Burke tburke4@san.rr.com
Here's the latest video LD has put up on his YouTube channel (this morning, I think). No harmonica at all, but featuring very, very, very good songwriting chops, excellent, soulful, vocals, and really great singer/songwriter-style guitar playing. I've always thought LD was something pretty special, and this showing just cements that in my mind. This is great stuff. Period.
This is nice...can't compliment his songwriting chops though because it's a cover of a 1980's David Allen Coe song, possibly written by him or another Nashville songwriter . A country guy named Chris Stapleton recently covered it to much acclaim in a slow burn country/soul vibe. LD Miller is covering that version.
Yes he can sing, that's for sure. A pro. And it's a nice song, this new version of the tune people are digging now has a "I'd Rather Go Blind" vibe to it. Works every time!
It's really nice to see a teen phenom--he broke big at age 14, as I remember, or perhaps slightly earlier--mature into a great singer. He's put in the work. He could easily have rested on his laurels, kept doing the boy-wonder thing. Really really nice.
I was excited by the first 30 seconds or so of the first video posted. As i never heard of this guy before. And discovering new artists is Always great.
Hopefully can chalk it up to bad video recordings and bad selection of his material.
By HarpNinjas comments and his acoustic jam up there, I think that's Pretty likely.
As far as Gary Clark Jr. I saw him at FireFly last year. And He Blew Me Away. Absolutely Fantastic Show. Got him to sign an Album. He was a cool dude. ----------
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Apr 11, 2016 3:21 PM