Awww, c'mon Jehosaphat. That's a bit harsh. I've seen and heard THAT type of harp too many times-and this ain't it. Jb, thanks for posting. I like the Leslie you're getting from that Boss pedal. Am I correct in thinking that you've got buttons on your mic to control it, a la John Popper?
Now for my constructive criticism-you aren't stepping on anyone or anything(I recognized you playing rhythm during the guitarsits's solo, which is cool,emulating an organ-but volume could have been a tad lower-although it could just be a mix thing I'm missing due to compression on the vid or the camera's proximity to the stage), and you've obviously spent some woodshedding time with some Blues Traveler albums amongst others-and you have a good command of that triplet riff, but you should perhaps use it a bit more sparingly, whereas you kind of banked on it in this song. I'm harpless at the moment or I could tell you exactly the riff I mean via tab. Throw it in as an accent here and then.
Move around on that harp a bit more-I know you can. DON'T abandon it-just use it like any other trick in your bag-sparingly. Also, moderate your fast runs a bit more-nothing wrong with some speed, in moderation, though. Save the high speed licks for crescendos or to get folk's attention at the beginning of a solo, for example. In a balls to the wall, hard-driving song, which this one isn't, it's more suitable to put that pedal to the metal a bit more, so to speak. But, to rely on triplets throughout the song and whilst comping kinda takes the edgo off of them by the time you get to solo-and use the same lick.
Tonewise, you sound good. I like what you're getting out of what most would consider an unorthodox rig. I do like what you are doing overall! I hope you make it to Hill Country in May-I'd like to meet you.
***edited a few times for spelling and to get my point across a bit clearer
Oh, and tell your bass player I'm waiting for her to call me ;-) ---------- Todd
I agree with todd as far as the bad name thing goes but will say as said by a few of the older blues men said,"Take your time son,Take your time.Faster is not better,I think it takes away from the feel of the song.You seem to know your way around the harp,but if you slow it down a bit(quite a bit)it would come off much better.I think you go to the high register too much,and as much as the leslie simulater recreates pretty well; my feeling is that theres certain songs where its a fit,and certain ones that aren,t.I would use one as more for keyboard fills,opposed to constant on solos,this is just my opinion,and I,m more old school for that matter.What would Hound Dog think?One more thing theres one point where your stepping on the g-man when he,s soloing and thats a no-no.No offense intended its just my honest opinion.Keep On Harpin!
I think your playing is actually pretty good, but it's just out of context which makes it sound not as good.
From a "Modern" standpoint, I think you're making good use of your effects. To emulate other instruments.
From a standpoint of someone else who picked up the harmonica solely because of John Popper and tried very, VERY hard to imitate his style for my first five years of playing, I know exactly where you're coming from.
I played in alot of rock/jam bands where this style works very well. I also played many blues jams where this style didn't fit AT ALL. It's taken me another 8 years to develop an acceptable (to my own ears) blues style. This includes, but isn't limited to, following chord changes and paralleling them, copying the main riffs of a song (sometimes basslines), leaving space, developing vibrato, using dynamics.
A good example of Popper playing blues/soul is "Make My Way" off the album "Straight on 'til Morning". I think that song was a transition point for me to start seeking out a more blues sound and less of a balls to the wall approach to everything.
Like I said, I know where you're coming from because I came from the same place. I'm not sure what your goals/ambitions are with the harmonica, but if you are going to be playing blues, then my suggestion would be to adapt your style.
I very much so appreciate the constructive criticism and view points on my "Style" of playing. Especially Todd, NiteCrawler and ridge. Yes, I am heavily influenced by Popper and Sugar Blue. With that being said, when I play, I am not intentionally trying to emulate or sound like anyone else but myself...
Everyone here is on the same journey to the same place. Playing the Harp...We all take different roads and have different adventures along the way. No two roads are the same and we all use different vehicles too...Sometimes I like to get to certain destinations going over the speed limit and sometimes I need to use the map that people who have gone before us laid out to get to the destination. At the end of the day, my playing is driven by my heart and soul and what i feel i need to produce out of "our" instrument. The challenge is the journey and taking the steps to keep moving forward. Can I play more traditionally, yes. Sometimes I want to push the boundaries...sometimes I don't but I want people to say to listen and say that's JB, i can tell by his style....
As a seasoned Jazz Saxophonist of 15 yrs, I will say that when I solo, i take into context the feel of the music, the vibe of the crowd, and yes, even some self indulgence too...some of that does transfer over to my harp playing...
For those interested, I have also posted another video in a thread "Live from Memphis" a couple of days ago as well(for those who haven't seen it)Slower Blues song.
I welcome all points of view. Thank you for those who have given me your opinions. I will take that information and try to better my playing and adapt without sacrificing too much of what I am trying to accomplish!
Very Respectfully JB http://www.facebook.com/jbharmonica
Glad you're a good sport, too...i have modified my own playing style drastically over the last several years. One thing you'll always notice is that there will be critics either way! In the end, if YOU are happy with what you are playing(and everyone hasn't run out of the bar screaming ;-D ), that's all that really matters.
Oh, and very cool you have a sax background, too. I'm jealous!
Hey, Gonna go to HCH? There's info at the top left. It will be a blast-and Sugar Blue will be there!
i agree with the above for them most part.. look for the hooks and the groove a bit more and a bit less on the frilly fillers. The way you use the effect is very good at some points, and too much in others.
you could also get your cup a bit better sealed to for an overdriven sound to add to the arsenal.. there were places in here you could have used that
i think you probably achieved the unorthodox sound you wanted, everyone has their own taste so keep doin what pleases you - it's pretty cool!! ---------- ~Banned in Boston!
