Annie Raines playing and singing "Ol' Heartbreak". Another version was posted on MBH in 2012, with Annie and Paul playing acoustically. (Thank you atty1chgo, I'm atty1canada). Here's the amped version from Paul Rishell and Annie Raines' CD, "I Want You to Know" (1996).
Have a listen. Turn your computer speakers up and let the sound wash over you.
I love Annie's playing here. Here's what I love--
1. Her tone. "Chicago" tone aficionados (I'm one) would love to get this tone in their playing, am I right? Don't jump on me, I know there's no single "Chicago" tone. 2. Her impeccable timing 3. Her tone shading, from dark to light to dark 4. Her effortless switching from single notes to chords and back 5. Her ability to hit bent notes exactly on pitch; no sliding up or down 4. Her dynamics 5. Her intensity. She wails! 6. Her rhythmic creativity 7. Her effortless channelling of Little Walter, without sounding like she's consciously trying to do this. She sounds like Annie Raines, but also sounds like Little Walter. I likes it!
The reason Annie got dissed in the last post is because of the blues machismo that dissipates on MBH from certain members of this forum. Their fragile egos can't stand the fact that a woman can play(much) better than they can. I personally think that Annie is a great player!
Now, to play Devils advocate, a studio recording can always be "made" to sound better than the actual player ;)
Last Edited by CarlA on Mar 22, 2015 5:45 AM
@carla your right I didn't think she sounded that way when I heard her live. It's a very good rendering in that style. I didn't think she got dissed in the last post because she's a woman, people just have their own opinions. ----------
Wait groyster, you mean Annie is a girl? Great, now I'll get all nervous if I ever meet her! (I've found out about local shows twice within a couple days AFTER she played.) I try my best in the harp world to focus on the harp playing/enthusiasm and ignore everything else. I may come off all suave on the forum* but I'm kind of like Raj on the Big Bang Theory in real life. The moment I acknowledge someone is a 'girl' I get all nervous. If I can trick myself into ignoring that fact I can actually talk to them... sometimes.
Hello Iceman. You asked, "How did you create that sound file to imbed on this thread?". I sent you an email, have a look.
You can also click the "Harmonica forum how-to" link, just above the "Start New Topic" box on the opening page of the forum. Look for "Post sound files" on that page.
Her playing is real easy on the ears .. sound washed over me ..
tmf714's vid of Annie should clear up any doubters .. regarding her outstanding abilities to channel LW or anyone else she should care to .. and ya .. she Definitely got her own thing going on too ...
Last Edited by mastercaster on Mar 24, 2015 4:14 AM
