kudzurunner
4975 posts
Sep 20, 2014
6:17 AM
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Here's a brand-new clip of Rachelle Plas in concert. I can't say that I love her tone--it's kind of thin--but I admire the determination with which she has slowly but surely transformed herself from a harmonica player into a would-be rock star. (Clothes and blue hair have something to do with that.) Her solo takes up most of the space between 3:00 and 4:00, so some may want to skip ahead to that after listening to the bit of the beginning.
Plas doesn't use overblows; she just emphasizes the rock-overdrive side of blues by playing many fast quick notes without sustain. I think she'd sound better with some sustain, actually. But she's clearlier happier with the clean sound.
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Sep 20, 2014 6:20 AM
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walterharp
1516 posts
Sep 20, 2014
9:46 AM
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i like it.. this is modern blues harp in the same way blues traveler is, and she owes a lot more to that tradition (i think it could be considered a tradition as blues traveler formed almost 30 years ago) than to blues in the way that you or even ricci do
it is interesting the bit at near the end she almost owes more to sonny terry than john popper though
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nacoran
8015 posts
Sep 20, 2014
11:16 AM
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Plas seems to be signing with a more Americanized vocal sound in this than in her past videos. It's always interesting to hear how people who don't speak English natively adapt lyrics around their accent. If I had any complaint about her earlier stuff it was that maybe her choice of where to throw emphasis in lyrics seemed like she hadn't mastered the lyrics. (That's not to say you can't sing with an accent, just that you have to internalize the connection between the meaning of the words and the emotions- I'd be lost trying to do that in another language) She seems a lot more connected with lyrical sound.
And of course, she's always been a badass harp player. :)
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Nate
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Ted Burke
210 posts
Sep 20, 2014
12:25 PM
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She is doing nicely on vocals, seeming more comfortable with the rock emphasis as opposed to the more traditional blues . Though substantially blues-based, rock and roll has gone transnational and offers a chance for singers who don't speak english natively to convincingly convey emotion and feel with their accents in tact. Blues singing for the most part is so idiomatically African American by generally accepted standards as to what constitutes "good" blues vocalizing that able musicians , whether German, Asian, French or Scandanavian, sound awkward and even a little absurd trying to sound down home and real. To be sure, there are exceptions. Her harmonica playing is quite good, quick and clean but, as Adam remarked, it sounds thin and chirping; some more sustain would make this sound more muscular. I also think she's a mite repetitive here; she has some nice , slick licks, but she repeats a pattern once too many. It stops sounding dynamic when it makes you think of someone draving around the block over and over, going nowhere, really.
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A440
206 posts
Sep 20, 2014
1:01 PM
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Rachelle has a nice command of the stage. Definitely rock rather than blues, with some similarities to the sound and style of the Johnny Hallyday & Greg Zlap duo. This would be expected, since Zlap was Rachelle's early mentor/teacher. I love her rapid fire, energetic and accurate playing - as showcased in her earlier videos of Orange Blossom Special and Whammer Jammer.
Last Edited by A440 on Sep 20, 2014 1:02 PM
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Frank
5339 posts
Sep 20, 2014
4:21 PM
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Like to see her and the boys do a version of bigbossman similar to the kentucky headhunters here - bet she'd rip some honkin lines in this rockin version :)
Last Edited by Frank on Sep 20, 2014 4:23 PM
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DoubleJ
84 posts
Sep 20, 2014
11:30 PM
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Modern blues harmonica by definition will push the genre envelope. She is still playing blue notes, portions of the blues scale, and blues rhythms within in a rock and fusion context.
If we view blues too narrowly any modern developments will be viewed as outside of the blues idiom. Tear down the walls!
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A440
208 posts
Sep 21, 2014
12:06 AM
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Genre definitions are fluid. I love the Stones' Exile on Main Street, and how it blends rock, blues, and country elements. And of course, the blues harp is not just for playing the blues, as Adam so nicely demonstrates with Tequila. I always got a lot of inspiration from what Lee Oskar and Eric Burden did with War: a couple of white European blues-rockers dropped into a California R&B band.
Last Edited by A440 on Sep 21, 2014 12:08 AM
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Moon Cat
462 posts
Sep 21, 2014
8:03 AM
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A Moon Cat liked it and didn't fast forward once.
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JInx
892 posts
Sep 21, 2014
11:04 AM
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it don't work for me
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harpdude61
2149 posts
Sep 21, 2014
12:34 PM
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No wonder she sounds thin...doing vocals and harp in the same mic with no apparent cupping technique at all. Close to an acoustic sound. I'm not saying she needs to sound Chicago bullet, but even most stick mic users have cupping techniques and use a different mic for vocals.......
More 80s rock sound than modern blues for sure. Maybe she has some killers blues in the rest of the show.
It's good! Mooncat rocks too, but you always here some blues and the blues flavor in most songs.
Surprise that she doesn't overblow.
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Ugly Bones Ryan
115 posts
Sep 21, 2014
12:45 PM
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She's awesome. And her guitar player is awesome.
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http://www.murraythewheel.com/
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DoubleJ
87 posts
Sep 21, 2014
4:08 PM
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harpdude...it's already taken.
Her acoustic sound fits well with this tune.
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Goldbrick
691 posts
Sep 21, 2014
4:53 PM
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Guitar player gets a fat sound out of that little Fender Duo sonic.
This , like most Euro rock, leaves me cold.
Technically fine but not interesting at all- sounds like they are stuck in 80's. Don't know why Continental Europe cant do rock right ( except for metal and Golden Earring))
Yes , she can play-it just doesnt add up to anything for me( plus the outfit and vocals are kinda dopey)
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The Iceman
2097 posts
Sep 21, 2014
5:51 PM
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I am not a fan of this type of playing.
I couldn't help but notice the audience...kinda static. No dancing, head bobbing or connection from what I saw.
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The Iceman
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wolfkristiansen
324 posts
Sep 21, 2014
6:24 PM
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I'll be the curmudgeon in the room. This is not modern blues harmonica. This is modern, this is harmonica. Two out of three, pretty good.
That's all I'll ever reach, so I can't complain. I'm blues, I'm harmonica. Two out of three, pretty good.
Nothing wrong with rock. Just not my cup of tea.
Yes, it's interesting. But I don't want my interest tickled, I want to be moved, as in feeling something. Sadness, anger, happiness, joy, love, lust... anything. I felt nothing here, except maybe "I'm impressed!" by the undeniable harmonica playing skills on display.
I'm impressed by jugglers too.
This is the premier harmonica forum on the internet. So, Rachelle, if you read this, know that I mean you no disrespect. You clearly love playing harmonica. You have rehearsed with your band, you can play fast, you are young, you look good, your playing is exciting. All good things. It comes down to a matter of taste.
Sincerely,
wolf kristiansen
Last Edited by wolfkristiansen on Sep 21, 2014 8:28 PM
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Frank
5353 posts
Sep 22, 2014
4:16 AM
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Get to know her a little bit :)):
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yonderwall
78 posts
Sep 22, 2014
6:19 AM
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I think I see the problem. According to the Hohner box, the Golden Melody is not intended for Pop/Rock. You'd think that as a Hohner endorser Rachelle would know better :)
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CarlA
599 posts
Sep 22, 2014
8:38 AM
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@yonderwall
Lol!
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HarpNinja
3925 posts
Sep 22, 2014
8:57 AM
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I have no idea the context of the clip...first song? Last song? I also know nothing of the festival...was she an opening act? Headliner? Did people come to see her or did she happen to just be there?
Those are all pieces I would expect to be overlooked in discussing the merit of the performance, as I am sure the majority here are just after evaluating if they'd be able to cut head with her.
I would say she had blues-based phrasing and note choice. I think her tone was good. I don't think it was thin or tinny - it was very clean, though.
The song was well played by all. I've seen other large stage live work of hers which has also been high energy and fun. Great to see music like this being played on harmonica.
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Mike
My Website
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Martin
686 posts
Sep 22, 2014
9:21 AM
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"I have no idea the context of the clip...first song?"
Sounds like that -- she´s greeting the audience.
Pity ´bout the hair ... If that´s a "rock" appearance I´d suggest an image change.
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nacoran
8019 posts
Sep 22, 2014
11:49 AM
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Martin, it's interesting how different people stake out different ground visually. There are a couple very fine blues players out there who look like used car salesmen, others who go full on hillbilly. Some go cowboy, some go casual, What it comes down to at the end of the day is does it help them get recognized? Does it tick off the boxes on the checklist for whatever subgenre they are trying to capture?
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Nate
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Martin
687 posts
Sep 22, 2014
2:15 PM
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It may be that I have a sentimental streak, but I think it somehow looks contrived, especially in young girls: "Hey babe, are we gonna git YOU a TOUGH look!"
But I´m an old reactionary and people probably think that it´s I who look contrived with my bow-ties and jackets and what not, and I haven´t even laid eyes upon a "stylist" in my entire existence.
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Goldbrick
693 posts
Sep 22, 2014
4:07 PM
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I;m sorry but she looks like she is wearing a shower cap and a diaper
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1847
2210 posts
Sep 22, 2014
5:06 PM
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billy gibbons started the shower cap thing
perhaps he is wearing depends also?
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money as debt
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Goldbrick
694 posts
Sep 22, 2014
5:22 PM
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CarlA
600 posts
Sep 22, 2014
5:34 PM
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Nothing better than a bunch of aging blues men dictating what proper fashion sense is and isn't. It's like getting gynecological advice from a pimp.
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The Iceman
2108 posts
Sep 22, 2014
6:58 PM
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CarlA
I actually laughed out loud.
thanx
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The Iceman
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The Black Pit
24 posts
Sep 22, 2014
11:34 PM
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"The blues are the roots of all American music. As long as American music survives, so will the blues."...Willie Dixon
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The Black Pit
25 posts
Sep 22, 2014
11:34 PM
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Damn there are some negative people on this board. Almost reminds me of the Bob Dylan thread awhile back.
I give props to anyone playing harp on stage, whether it's "my style" or not. Some of the most entertaining harp playing I've seen has been done with chord and bass harmonicas, in styles of music I generally don't listen to. Doesn't have to be Little Walter for me to appreciate it.
Personally, I dig Rachelle's playing. She's also sexy as hell and is a world class martial artist (check out the pipes!).
I think the stage clothing might be a European thing. I saw a video of Greg Zlap wearing what looked like fireman's suspenders, a cape that looked like an old towel and fingerless biker's gloves. Whatever gets you through your set I guess. It's all good.
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Martin
688 posts
Sep 23, 2014
5:53 AM
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@TheblackPit: People may be "critical". That must be allowed within the framework of a discussion board and does not necessarily imply "negative".
It gets boring when all you read is bedazzlement before "anyone playing harp on stage" or record, including Little, Big or Medium Walter.
Rachelle does very little for me but I´m nothing but glad if she´s doing fine.
(That the clothes is a "European thing" is debatable. Admittedly quite a few people here in the Old world are nowadays dressed in ways that would land them in jail a few years back, but many of the hipsters as well as others take their points from the American part of the world. Unfortunately, because it´s all going downhill and you can now go to weddings and funerals in tracksuits. O tempora, o mores.)
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The Iceman
2110 posts
Sep 23, 2014
6:06 AM
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Martin...
Like the Little, Big or Medium comment. My kind of subtle humor.
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The Iceman
Last Edited by The Iceman on Sep 23, 2014 6:06 AM
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CarlA
602 posts
Sep 23, 2014
2:02 PM
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"These darn kids these days. Walking around wearing clothes that look like space suits. Velma, remember back in the days, when we were growing-up? Remember when Orville and I would get ready for our blues performances? We would pack-up the horse buggy, and head on over the Oregon Trail to the local tavern. Yes Sir!
Our hair would also be puffed and powdered. We would only use the finest talc. Not like the kids today! Walking around with short hair and all the rest. They should still keep the tradition like their fathers of 'ole.
Velma, get me that picture from 1650. Oh yes, those were the days! And just look at that hair! That glorious hair! It's almost angelic, don't you think Wilbur"?
Last Edited by CarlA on Sep 23, 2014 2:09 PM
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The Iceman
2124 posts
Sep 23, 2014
2:08 PM
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ya. Early Paul Revere and the Raiders look.
(I actually love that band)
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The Iceman
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Goldbrick
695 posts
Sep 23, 2014
3:11 PM
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They were a "must band "to cover back in the day
Easy to dance in circles with no guitar cord ( love the lip synchs}
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wolfkristiansen
327 posts
Sep 23, 2014
7:27 PM
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Frank. I watched and listened to the two videos you posted, both showing Rachelle Plas as a Hohner endorser. I liked them, thank you for posting them. Rachelle is a sincere, natural person who plays the harmonica well. I learned something from the videos.
She has a skill I've never acquired. She can move her diaphragm (the muscle under the lungs, not the contraceptive) quickly up and down, as needed.
I cheat. Most of my harmonica notes are a succession of draw notes, with the occasional blow note thrown in.
The videos remind me that I need to work on my diaphragm skills (the muscle under the lungs, not the contraceptive), and I will.
I'll start with Orange Blossom Special. But it will all be in the service of "the Blues", with a capital B.
Here's an example of two blues players, one who's included diaphragm training in his practice (RJ Mischo), and one who hasn't (Aki Kumar). Both are great blues players. This has been posted before.
Cheers,
wolf k
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