Nice version! Can I ask if you were playing 1st position for the pre-chorus ie before "and when the foghorn blows", and then 2nd for the solo? If 2nd, then do you use country-tuned or play the 5 OB?
I'm currently playing in an Americana band so trying to get insight into playing more major-ish songs without resorting to mu usual blues cliches.
Cool. I certainly enjoyed the rendition. I also learned some things I'll add. Nice vocal. Control of the octaves were nice -no shortage of harp chops. As to overplaying and level. The vocal was a little hot so the harp was too, but fine really. The only difference I'd suggest is that I hear this tune as almost a hymn. It breathes and builds with a lot of dynamics. The harp here was too busy for that. I like the big octaves to build with the rest of the band and solo notes to sustain through the changes. Long sweet notes that draw the listener in. Dynamics... All this most certainly just my opinion. Great job. btw, I usually use a low harp to bring in some fog horn
Last Edited by Littoral on Apr 24, 2017 7:50 AM
Overplayed or not overplayed? At one point I would have had strong views on this. Not any more. Really, that is beside the point.
It is a matter of taste and up to each individual listener to determine whether they appreciate any given interpretation of a cover song. I like when a cover is played in a way in which the performer makes it their own rather than try to create an exact copy of the original.
I found your use of harp on this song to be fully consistent with the approach to harmonica that is your signature style. It is a style that I have heard you express since I first encountered your playing at Hill Country Harmonica when Adam introduced you. Actually, this is considerably more understated than what I heard back then. I would have played this song differently, but that would be based on my stylistic approach to the song.
You have a great deal of skill with the instrument and are true to your own music. So good job! Keep on keeping on...
I like laid back approach of the band, too.
What really jumped out at me was that your vocals were really, really good on this song! ----------
Thanks all. Actually, if I could do it over again, I would have laid back slightly on the harp. This was actually my first time ever to play with them (never rehearsed either)... I'm used to doing this song in a duo with a piano player, and I play more actively there because that's what works in that situation. And yeah, I was up a little loud... there was a fiddle player up on the same mic right before me, and I probably should have backed off a bit.
I was playing 1st position (D harp) on the prechorus sections, and 12th position A harp on the solo and coda.
Also, GamblersHand, although I'm playing 12th on the solo, I usually have at least a few 6OBs in there to cover the 4th degree of the scale (not sure if I did this here). I am a heavy OB player and don't play country tuned harps, although I would love to try them.