The plain fact of this video is that blues harmonica playing does not get better than what this trio does on this night, on that stage. Chops, swing, swagger. Those who don't like this have no pulse.
Yeah, I'm gobsmacked. Great to hear three masters trading licks and hear the different tones and styles. Unreal stamina too. I love Dennis tone, but it seems the lip is mightier than the tongue when it comes to blistering speed. ---------- Lucky Lester
Quite agree with the lip v tongue comment and I found Dennis was (though great tone) not as exciting to listen to. Why would you tongue block everything in this situation? Speed was called for and Jason changed those gears
I appreciate speed as much as the next guy, but 10 minutes of shredding (minus 4 minutes of Dennis playing) = 6 min of shredding is still a bit too much for me.
Shredding may be impressive technically, but I don't find much depth or soul in it.
It's nice to see where Jason got his original approach - easy to hear with Pat playing, too.
I'm liking BB King's guitar more than Joe Satriani - can listen to BB all night, but only a few minutes of Joe. ---------- The Iceman
This display is one of historic import, as it is one of the few in existence that has Jason performing with this mentor, Pat Ramsey. As such, I find this ten minute plus bit of speedy exchanges between the 2 of them to be postively exhilerating. One might dismiss this as something that might appeal to mostly others who play fast or wish to, but that doesn't change what I hear as the plain truth, that both these musicians are impassioned and emboldened to push themselves and each other to the limit. If anything, there is a narrative going on here, a can-you-top this tale where musical phrases go through a three part set of variations. No disrespect to Dennis Grueling, who I admire greatly, but this is a show between two different generations, student and teacher, a beautiful blast of virtuosity for it's own sake that places the harmonica at the center of the band stand , gloriously exploited by master musicians who have the swing, swagger and precision to make this a breath taking thing to be witness to. The highest compliment I can think of is that this video got me to dust off my A Special 20 and scale up my speed and execution up theirs, or at least try to. ---------- Ted Burke __________________ ted-burke.com tburke4@san.rr.com
it reminds me of the other night at the garage. we were sitting around having a few beers after work, telling stories bullshitting about the day. for the most part conversation was a pleasure.
then someone breaks out the blow. now it's just bunch of chattering idiots overly excited to spiel some endless diatribe that goes nowhere. all amped with nothing but everything to say. oh they had fun but you wouldn't want to listen to them.
Brilliant playing trumps lazy analogies meant as criticism. This performance is transcendent. ---------- Ted Burke __________________ ted-burke.com tburke4@san.rr.com
"Brilliant playing trumps lazy analogies meant as criticism." You can't trump someones right to a opinion, no matter how brilliant the playing is. That said, I usually question the musicality of harp shredding but I just step back on this one, yes, "This performance is transcendent."
Last Edited by Littoral on May 14, 2015 12:31 PM
For me, I certainly enjoy the novelty of these three musicians playing on stage together. It's an event that can never occur again so that makes it special.
This is an almost decade old video of a fundraiser event that predates YouTube and instant/accessible sharing. I'm happy that tmf714 went through the trouble to convert it from cassette and then upload it!
So yeah, I'm going to let nostalgia get the better of me on this one. Being critical just seems misplaced. ---------- Ridge's YouTube
I'm with Jinx on this one, this fast play is boring give me Dennis on his own any day and for what it is worth I would have Dennis over Jason in Adams all time top 10 players
@ sean Can you play fast? How long have you been playing? What is your criteria for your critic? Perhaps your comment is shallow and not not thought through. These 3 masters have been showcased in this relatively old video and if nothing else, the sheer exuberance of all 3 should enspire!!
Yeah, I think the critics are missing the point. This is not really something that you'd listen to frequently like a great performance; these guys were really in the zone and feeding off each other, pushing technique to the boundaries. I don't think they'd care less about the critics; it was a shared moment between musicians, and not likely to be appreciated by people who didn't get what was happening. As a harp player I found it inspiring to see what great players at the top of their game can do. ---------- Lucky Lester
"Brilliant playing trumps lazy analogies meant as criticism. This performance is transcendent."
"@ sean Can you play fast? How long have you been playing? What is your criteria for your critic? Perhaps your comment is shallow and not not thought through."
These types of replies to some opinions show that there are certain folk that feel their view is THE ONE and anyone that doesn't agree with them are somehow lesser beings. Judgement from "On High". (Notice how these people always want to get in that "last word").
Nothing wrong with not enjoying harmonica shredding. To me, this is less about real music and more about real ego.
My guess is that conspicuously gifted Dennis Grueling isn't hung up on whether playing fast is evidence of ego and in fact enjoys and admires the musicianship and artistry of Jason and the sadly departed Pat. My guess, as well, is that Jason and Pat have nothing but admiration and respect for what DG has brought to the harmonica, and consider what he does to be among the finest examples of blues harmonica one is likely to come across , anywhere. I suspect that these guys really don't care about what other people think they how they should play and regard the instrument as something that can be handled anyway but loose. In their world, what matters isn't how fast or how slow one plays but whether one brings verve, innovation and personality to the band stand, ready for show. ---------- Ted Burke __________________ ted-burke.com tburke4@san.rr.com
but despite whether the chaps on stage are egotistical or otherwise, a bloke who expresses an opinion will cop a put-down about his means of self-expression. i thought Jinx' analogy was rather good and to the point, and didn't deserve to be singled out for pejorative analysis. Likewise, Sean is entitled to hold a view without being implicitly belittled on an assumption that he probably can't play fast and is a shallow thinker to boot. My own opinion re blistering speed on a harmonica is that, with few exceptions it comes at too high a price, and while it may be impressive in a sense, its not really all that fast. i don't play very fast, i don't do anything very fast, that may be why i prefer sensual to speedy. i don't think it should necessarily be seen as sour grapes when a person proclaims to be unimpressed or uninterested in something at which they have no proficiency. these guys are good for sure, but its not the sort of thing that yanks my chain. I was listening to Chet Baker playing Autumn Leaves with Paul Desmond et al, and THAT really was doing the business for me. this, not so much.
great listening choice. What I like about Chet's music is his lyricism. (If you have recordings where he scat sings, you will notice that it is exactly the same as his trumpet playing).
However, every once in a while he will "shred", or play passages at high velocity for a few measures to bring contrast.
For me, this is the most mature musical approach. ---------- The Iceman
Maturity is in how one handles the particular skills they have when it comes time they have to create something.The mistake is confusing maturity with a mostly leisurely stride. Fast thinking playing does not equate, automatically, with bad or sterile virtuoisty In the case of our trio of harmonica heros, these are players at their prime who are working together as they compete and who, although investing much of their personality to own the spotlight each time it's their turn to play, play off what their fellow harmonica player had just uttered, creating a variation on a phrase, pushing it a little further out or reigning it back in, changing emphasis, altering accents. This is a show case number where , so far as the likes of Ricci and Ramsey are concerned, they are demonstrating what can be done with technically impressive speed playing. It is the sort of artistry that reveals that speed can indeed be musical , smart and exciting when their is technique and discerning musical intelligence behind the instrument. ---------- Ted Burke __________________ ted-burke.com tburke4@san.rr.com
Last Edited by ted burke on May 15, 2015 6:44 AM
Perhaps it's just my personal paranoia, but it seems that Mr. Burke often likes to define terms/observations that I (and others) use in his own particular brand of "this is how it is" without offering "in my opinion" to his statements.
He also offers enlightenment to 'mistakes' that posters may make - i.e. "The mistake is confusing maturity with a mostly leisurely stride."
Since Mr. Burke is a fan of playing a lot of notes really fast most or all of the time (as is evident by his videos), it is not surprising that he finds great value, virtuosity and as good as it gets within this style.
There are those that like this. There are those don't.
I don't like this style.
This shouldn't in any way diminish what I find musical and mature in different styles other than shred.
It also shouldn't result in statements that feel to me like someone trying to school me in what is what.
As I said, mayhaps I am being paranoid, as the whole world doesn't really revolve around me.
However, I kinda get a feeling that this is sometimes an undercurrent in conversations and responses to comments by a few on this forum.
Had to get that off my chest.
Now back to discussing music and hopefully full acceptance to everyone's opinions, no matter from whence they spring.
I did not mention my own playing in the previous post, so that mention of name and music style is irelevantl and q cheap shot.you should know better. I offer up the qualifier "I think" and others like it frequently in my posts,Larry, something you've had to have noticed overtime.The "in my opinion" is not needed, as tharl the statements are my opinion should be implicit.I apologize if that makes you uneasy, but it's my style and that style will modulate depending on subject, mood, mental energy and time to write a post.My purpose is expand the discussion, not personal attack. ---------- Ted Burke __________________ ted-burke.com tburke4@san.rr.com
Last Edited by ted burke on May 15, 2015 8:15 AM
"I did not mention my own playing in the previous post, so that mention of name and music style is irelevantl and q cheap shot.you should know better."
I disagree.
No cheap shot here. Just a statement of fact.
If it is an incorrect observation, I am open to new input.
Because you didn't mention it in a previous post really has no relevance. This is a pretty open forum.
You are good with words, but I venture to guess that some of us can feel your intent behind those words.
As well meaning as I am sure you are, sometimes your postings come across a bit sharp tongued.
No need to defend or tit for tat. We can start a new thread for this if you like.
Now, back to our regularly scheduled program. ---------- The Iceman
Well, the fact of the matter is that I made no mention of the way I play as any base for comparison or standard of any kind. It is an open forum, of course, but the point of having topics is to have disagreements about what has actually be said. My playing has no bearing on this discussion. It would help you make your case if you stuck to things that were actually remarked and remarked upon. If you want to discuss my style, start a thread. Otherwise, argue with my opinions, not my peronality. I will do likewise. ---------- Ted Burke __________________ ted-burke.com tburke4@san.rr.com
Last Edited by ted burke on May 15, 2015 12:54 PM
What a fantastic show of musical chops by three great players who look to be having a ball!
I am always fascinated by the variety of musical ideas that come out even when modestly skilled players jam to a blues song. The diversity of approaches to a simple form is part of what draws me to harmonica workshops and gatherings.
This video shows three top players soloing then trading riffs and quotes, playing off each other. Two of the players tend to play fast lines (while capable of playing slower groove stuff) while the third (while capable of some speed) demonstrates a different approach. I loved it all, and particularly seeing a video of Pat Ramsey on stage. THANK YOU! for posting this video.
Guys, you don't have to pick one approach as the "right" approach, even if one style appeals to you more than the other. To my mind, it is good that there are different styles! With regard to this video, it is ALL good! ----------
Your all welcome! It was my pleasure to upload this to youtube with Dennis' permission-hope Mooncat approves as well-and I am sure Pat would love it! This was an impromptu jam at the end of the night at Knuckleheads-all three played their own shows that night,and joined in on the jam for the finale. I thought it would be a great idea to showcase all three players unique approaches to playing. Entertaining yes-but many lessons to be learned -
Those guys certainly have skils, but I think I must fall into the "no pulse" category. This didn't move me at all. I understand how some people might like it.
Hi Nick ive been playing about 17 years i'm a regular at the Bristol festival uk I think we have spoke atin the folf house a few years ago so hope to see you there this year..then you can judge for yourself how well I play.
I'm always surprised at peoples' reactions to these things. What I see here are three outstanding musicians at the top of their game having a great time playing together, and thrilling a crowd in the process. If you like it, great. If you don't, great. It's music. You like what you like. I do find the term "shredding" a bit dismissive, though. All of them can play deep, soulful harp when they choose. But that's not what's called for here. This is about kickin' ass, and they all do. The interplay between them is a thing of beauty.
