Yes, rather good to say the least. Sense of phrasing, rhythm, quality of most everything is excellent to my ear (and to most other admirers). Unhappy in appearance - that too. It is certainly the only obvious quality that she has that is a major drawback in her success. Ok, maybe some of her outspoken opinions off-put a few as well. Is complicated to be a showman I would imagine. (I'm not).
I remember years ago when I was working with some youth, a young 11 year old came up to me and questioned why I seemed so unhappy. In fact, I was actually very happy, but that I guess I was concentrating so much on what I was doing, that my furrowed brow, etc. just gave him that impression. Since then, I often catch myself with that unhappy looking facial expression and remember his comment. And I do try to change and smile more but it is not easy for me to both, concentrate and look happy it seems.
I understand that Cristelle has gone through a lot in the past few years and although many of us would just say "get over it and move on", it often is much harder for some than for others. I don't have her problems. I have not walked in her shoes. I don’t really know her problems first hand so I should not say too much. But Damn, I wish she would change. Or could change. Or wanted to change. I am sure my advice means nothing to her but if you are reading this Cristelle, life can be good. Particular with the skills/talent that you have. Not that everything is great all the time but life can be good. Good luck.
Anyway, I am glad she has pushed the bar higher in the harp world and has inspired others to enjoy and do more.
Maybe the reason she's so good is that she cares so much. Like I say, it sounds good to me! She should be proud; she doesn't have to be happy.
Last Edited by Gnarly on Apr 21, 2013 3:30 PM
Christelle's playing is awesome with whatever kind of look she has on her face. People put too much emphasis on looks and charisma. I live in Nashville and I'll tell you right now this town is full of talent that would put people like Taylor Swift to shame but since they're not one of "the pretty people" they rarely get the respect or recognition they deserve.
I think its fairly obvious Christelle is an emotional person and she is able to convey that emotion in her playing in a good way. Heck I can think of a boatload of great musicians that never smile....who cares, for me its about the music. Look at the Allman Brothers. Those guys don't put on a phoney smile and dance around on stage like a bunch of clowns. They're focused on the task at hand and the audience respects it.
Keep on keeping on Christelle. I would put her skills up against any man dead or alive any day.
Man if I REALLY got started on this thread it be my ruination. Let's just say I've been called good when I was evil and evil when I was good, I've been defended as Sober and healthy when i was loaded and probably near death and accused of being high on dope and dying when I was taking the advice of every AA member, sponsor, shrink, doctor and blues fan alike. I use to get called skinny, anorexic, deathly, sunken, sickly and others. Now I get called fat, dumpy, lazy, chubby, "Let Himself Go" and on an on. Comments on my videos, forums,Facebook etc...almost alway anonymous. I've been told I've saved peoples lives, changed their lives and I've been called a bad example, an anti hero the same. Been a giver and taker... for real both. Ive been selfish and selfless and a lot in the publics eye. Ive been called a pedophile, faggot, sexual predator, thief and others on HARMONICA FORUMS, simply for being in love with a Man!!! I've read "I hope he gets made someones bitch in prison". "I hope he really OD's this time...The first, I think,on this very place. Ive been open about dating men when I was sincerely and wholeheartedly in love with Brady. I didn't want to hide someone so beautiful away. Now I'm open about dating a women...Some Gay people now hate me for this, some straight people don't believe me.I had death threats every month from a man who showed up to my gig with a pistol a year later and was apprehended. He found me on Harp L! My life has been about this music, I asked for a lot of this. I was lucky enough and worked hard enough to earn the lime light occasionally good and bad. I brought many negative things into my life. I have always tried my best. I have bipolar disorder, I struggle with addiction, these things are not excuses just things some of you know. No two of us are the same here...NOONE can really claim those obnoxious, arrogant words: "Been there, seen it done that". It's easier than talking to that person. Sometimes the best advice for someone is just saying "THAT SUCKS" we don't have to have anecdotes, solutions, reasons. "Everything happens for a reason" ? PROVE IT! shit happens y'all! Sometimes it hurts! Sometimes the worse thing and harder thing is THAT ITS NOT OUR FAULT! It's easier to deal with a world where positive begets Positive and vice versa, karma etc...Not the way things work as far as right now goes... I'm not got get into any pissing match here with "Hard Knox Blues Vets" someones always got it worse, people who get popular are always in the eye of the public and this shit goes with the territory but it still hurts to read and only makes me mad when I see my girl Christelle there. She can take it...maybe...how would you? You wont know till you have 1,0000000. views on your vid and get rave reviews from and everyone else. What will it take for any of us to get to place where we can even play like that? From that place? It aint about over-blows, underblows, crystals, tubes, harps or smiles, yall know that. I come here to sell shit and talk about music. Ive been coming since it started on different names. I come to help always, I have never said in print a bad word about any other musician in my life! I don't care. I like the good ones. I like the good music. Most the cats I know that can really play this thing or anything REALLY got some kinda WABI. I have dirt on so many people that have tried to hurt me that I could sue, put people in jail or at least prove my innocence on multiple occasions, Im not interested, I'm here to help, maybe this very post is a failure to that I just want to let people know it's sometimes exausting to read, trite, anecdotal,self-serving solution orientated remarks mad in the name of "Help". I'm Crazy, so is my girl Christelle. I love her for it, I'm trying to learn to love me for it too. Everyone please tread more lightly and those who already are thank you. "I'm more prone to listen to those who seek the truth then those who claim to have already found it."-someones Grandma
Last Edited by Moon Cat on Apr 21, 2013 11:57 PM
One more...now I'm kinda mad and this feels good,..All these people that talk all this stuff...Where are their albums? Where are their tour dates? Where are their REAL credentials? Where are their chops? Where are their FRIENDSHIPS? Hell where are their REAL NAMES? I don't expect everyone to be a pro to have an opinion for example I'm a big NFL fan these days, Saints to be specific, but I would never post some hurtful, speculative, mean spirited crap about some player in an Atlanta Falcon's forum even if I knew that dude would never read it. My mother might of been Bi-Polar, chemically depressed, homicidal. suicidal and all kinds of other bad things but she tried her damnedest, worked hard and sure as shit raised me better than that! My mother was also misunderstood, ridiculed, talked about she is an amazing, strong, loving and selfless person today! Go make your Ma Ma's proud. My Mom's proud of my Bi-polar, chemically depressed, addiction prone, bi-sexual, felony record having, poor as dirt, fat ass. Not just cause she's my Mom, she knows I love with a lions heart, my real friends are almost always forever, I don't like to hurt people and if I do I always say I'm sorry, I'm a bad ass on a harp the likes of which are known all over the world, I'm a good brother, I love animals, I cheer for the underdog, I'm loyal to my team, I always want to do better and I don't get off or feel better from hurting people or preaching on subjects I don't understand. Sound like I just described my sister Christelle! Love You girl.
Thanks mucho Jason for taking the time to weigh in. Many of us, like myself, need to hear a good rant once in a while. I am often very naive in my way of thinking per simply wanting more happiness could land on our plates - but as you stated in a couple of earlier threads, planning to be a harp pro is serious business and probably should not be endeavors for most of us who cannot come close to matching the effort needed to do it.
The rest of us should just be very glad that the music of such intense and serious emotions of many performers have been made available. Initially, my only (again, naïve) thought was that it is just so frustrating to see someone with such talent and dedication not cashing in as opposed to so many players who do so much better financially. That and to wish happiness should come the way of those who give so much.
You and Christelle have laid yourselves out there in the past with a lot of good and negative attitudes aside from the playing.
This is like drawing a bulls eye on your chest for criticisms, etc.
Some will do this because of a need for attention...Chris M comes to mind.
As one grows older and more experienced in the world, the attention craving subsides in favor of more depth of personality.
That aspect of personality that craves the spotlight will eclipse the music for music's sake and love of such.
Some believe that extreme talent gives a good excuse to act any way they want. Sometimes this works (example ... Eric Clapton was a real assh/// towards all those that helped him on his way up and throughout his addiction years. Read his autobiography) and sometimes the residue left by bad karma leaves a filmy grease on the whole character, no matter how extreme the talent.
People pick up on this mojo, whether consciously or unconsciously as it is part of the whole personality.
Personally, I have a strong sensitivity to those vibes and it does affect how I perceive and enjoy an artist.
So, how you play is always a reflection of how and who you are in the given moment.
Clapton has cleaned up his act, as have you. That's a good thing.
Letting the past go and not even commenting on it is a good way to craft a clear path into the future.
As to Christelle, I've always enjoyed her music, but her quirky personality has muddied the waters somewhat for me.
The Human Condition...always fascinating when viewed impassively from a distance. ---------- The Iceman
I am always amazed by the talent in our harmonica family who are able to smile in every situation. Rob Paporozzi comes to mind. I have never heard a negative thing out of his mouth and he quite often takes the time to listen to the posted music on harp-l and give positive encouragement.
I feel embarrassed every time I make a post sharing an actual feeling. Quite often I have hit send in anger.
On the other hand, when the Kinks fight onstage, that's rock and roll and when my cousin played piano for the Judds and had to smile at the same moment every night, that's theatre. Interestingly, every time I play a string of shows with a famous person, the mo0re it feels like theatre.
Although I have my personal feelings about Christelle, I also think of her as heroically rising above these issues to create great music and get a lot more hits than I could dream of getting.
On the flip side, I would rather have my problems. They suck, but I know them.
Last Edited by Michael Rubin on Apr 22, 2013 12:52 PM
Her playing speaks for itself. Given her controversial posts, I'm delighted that we can still see & hear her playing. None of us is without faults, and Jason is "spots on" with his rant. Christelle is also brave, imo, 'cuz she has really high musical standards, but is not afraid to post anything that she hasn't finished off to her standards yet.
Thanks Grey Owl, that was indeed some boss playing from Christelle. I'm one who believes that suffering is good fuel for the creative fire, and everybody has their wounds. The brave ones are willing to be open enough to bring it to their art.
@Moon Cat, Thanks. I agree with every word above. You are a wise man, and far healthier than those who anonymously (or not) and consciously (or not) throw their sh*t at others. ----------
Last Edited by mr_so&so on Apr 22, 2013 1:56 PM
Fairly often I'll recognize a musician in some person I've never seen before. Not a famous or publically known musician, just someone who plays music. Maybe it's their 'vibe' or the look in the eyes, or the thoughtful way they do mundane things - like work a cash register at some store.
Once in a while, when I'm pretty sure, I'll just ask him or her if he or she's a musician. If I'm right, 9 out of ten will say something like "Well, being a musician is very special thing, I don't know if I'd call myself a musician." I say "Do you play some instrument?" Then they admit the truth, but very humbly. I think humility is a big part of serious musicianship. Maybe it's all the practicing that teaches it.
And that's the expression Christelle conveys, especially at the last moment of her terrific solo posted above.
I'm usually not one for extended youtuber harpsoloing, but that was great! All 3:33 minutes of it. ---------- Sun, sun, sun Burn, burn, burn Soon, soon, soon Moon, moon, moon
There have been some insightful words in the thread especially by Jason re the pitfalls of being in the public eye both gigging and YouTubing.
My guess on Christelle's performance is that like an actor she's simply getting in character and connecting with the emotion of the blues in order to enhance her performance. It is after all called 'Little Girl Blues' and Blues is a serious business :) or better still(: ---------- My MBH Profile Grey Owl YouTube Grey Owl Abstract Photos Website
I think people are looking into this WAY too much. It's a YouTube clip put together by a talented harmonica player. If her frown offends you, there are dozens of YouTube videos about clowns with big ole' smiles! Bottom line is if you enjoy the sound, great! If not, than simply tune into one of the several billion other harmonica YouTube vids out there.
-Carl
Last Edited by CarlA on Apr 23, 2013 11:43 AM
great stuff again... if you want to debate the definition of modern blues harmonica, this would be a fine example to pull out that blends the new and the old, and throws in some feels from other styles as well!
fwiw don't think that Christelle does not read the comments posted here and take them very seriously even though she no longer comments. Read what Jason says very seriously and think about the kind of person you truly want to be before posting negativity.
