First off I will tell you I would most likely suck trying to play traditional style whatever that means. I think the only thing I'm good at is being me. Here's me doing some traditional stuff but not trying to copy except for the Slim Harp. Diggs Blues was described as Traditional Blues with an edge. Ok let the discussion begin. Myself I like the originators in traditional but those that copy always (with the exception a few) seem a bit flat or the "soul" seems "diluted" Just my opinion I'm sure everyone has their own which is what is nice to hear.
Diggs Blues
The Apple Trees
---------- Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind How you doin'
I genuinely think that if certain other players posted similar versions of these tracks, that you would write them off as derivative or copyists.
There is a timing issue on Help Me, on the first 12 bars, harp phrasing doesn't really sit with the backing, or theme of the song. 6 draw @ 2:17, over the IV chord sounds a little dischordant. Production on Help Me is a little stark.
Otherwise, overall, I think they are competant & well played tracks...if you were playing near me, I'd certainly drop by. I'm just not sure what the "edge" is, or why they would sound any more/less soul less or diluted than if any number of other players submitted them.
I write this doing my best to be objective & leave any "baggage" on the other thread, taking the tracks on their own merit. My observations on Help Me were what I noticed when you originally posted the clip on this forum & on Harp-l as "Raw Blues".
Diggs, even the most original of stylists are gonna have stuff they learned from their influences and that's something you just can't help. No matter what you do, I cannot overstress the importance of making things fit properly with the groove and feel and that's something I find more important than just lick copping because if you don't have that happening, you can't find anything that's really gonna fit properly within the context and when I see players from other genres trhow stuff in certain grooves and feels that they're not used to playing it, they usually lay an egg.
Most players who consider themselves LW disciples or anyone else's disciples, too often play everything their idols played note for note and there are some world class players who do that who shall remain nameless, but even I throw in some of my idols stuff but find a way to make it more my own and that's a challenge for a lot of players.
When you work more exclusively in a praticular genre, I feel there's apoint that you have to experiment and not worry about falling flat on your face or you don't learn anything at all. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
The harpman on "help me" is out of his element. To me, this is most painfully obvious in the over use of hand "wah-wah". Sonny Boy, Big Walter, Forrest City Joe, Junior Wells, all used hand wah-wah but they used it with discretion and at the moment(s) when it would leave the maximum impression. What I am hearing is overkill, therefore creating boring efforts at being a "bluesman" (whatever that is). Politely called....struggling.
---------- "The degree of someone's "open mindedness" will be in direct proportion to how much they agree or disagree with the issue being discussed"...William F. Buckley
The main thing for me at least in this tracks is that I don't see where is the originality. You are very good. But you play the same old blues scale that we all have learnt, and I don't see you adding anything new to the mix...
On the other hand in your youtube page I saw a track that really got me, it was Buddha's garden, or something like that, the one with Chris harps. That for me was inventive..
---------- With some latin flavour for you, chico!! :P
Hehe, you are right Toodlgreene, but I think the kind of answers Diggsblues got, was because of his comments of RJ Mischo Playing...
I think I might been too harsh in my previous comment. It's true that, at least for me, Diggs it's just not other "copycat" that repeats like a parrot SBII, LW, BW, licks.
But I still see his playing as traditional (nothing wong with that!). When I think in non traditional blues playing, I will think in Adam, Jason, Steve baker, Paul Delay, Micahel Peloquin, even William Clarke.
---------- With some latin flavour for you, chico!! :P
@camilo check the Chromatic explanation in Blues chromatic and stuff. The explanation of what used in ain't no sunshine. Then tell me if it's the same thing you play.
Since I'm being roasted check this out see if it's the standard harmonica.
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http://www.kouqinlinks.com/player_world.asp This is on chinese harmonica academy site. Middle Eastern.
I hope I get to hear your guys stuff.
---------- Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind How you doin'
Diggs you're not being "roasted", you claimed that you wanted opinions on your "traditional" offerings. But because others weren't blown away by your "concept/edge/emporer's new clothes" you take umbrage. Get over yourself.
Some people post clips because they genuinely want constructive criticism, others (well most) just want their ego massaged and ONLY want to hear "You're amazing!" (I largely avoid commenting on any)...which is it you are really after?
I have a policy, that if I'm expecting a negative response to a question, I think twice about asking it. There are players that I know & others on this forum that I have never met, that I greatly respect & admire, but having dealt with a lot of players I have learned that their typical response to others' playing is "it's OK but it's not what I would do"...because everyone believes that they are doing something EXTRAordinary! Post your clips, if people want to positively comment on them *unprompted*, then great. But you sought to stir the hornet's nest in this instance.
As I said above, apart from the things I wasn't mad on in Help Me, you play well. You should be proud of what you do well.
I've listened to most of your other samples that you posted, in other genres, & enjoyed them very much...but that wasn't what you specifically asked about in this thread.
I've got a few tracks up at
www.myspace.com/markburness
Feel free to comment all you like, I can pretty well anticipate what you're opinion will be, "don't spare the sword", I won't cry, I promise ;-)
@Camiloharper - I for one assessed Diggs' clips objectively, separate from the other thread, purely on what he posted here & in context with his opening statements. Anything I say/said on the RJ thread can stay there (if you let it), doesn't need to be carried on at every turn, this isn't a vendetta.
Last Edited by on Jun 18, 2011 9:51 AM
@56 You need to take more chances and I hear you depending on mic or electronics for your tone. My electric stuff is akg dm500 flat response.
Camilio you just need to practice more.
Joel been playing 40 years I got you beat. The hand wah was Satchmo. Trumpet players would never get that comment. I'm 62 and still playing strong. I have the respect of many pro players One of which you all know from philly. He's come to see me play twice. He always gives me a big hug and hearty hand shake and asks me what I'm up to. He was even giving a seminar and at the beginning gave me kudos as a chromatic and diatonic player. He's invited me to come and sit in with him.
That's what makes this all kinda can't find the word.
Maybe I'll post an example of 3rd position used in second.
I have a few more posts left in me but I see the end coming up fast.
---------- Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind How you doin'
Your playing is good. Your tone is good I liked the Lonesome Whistle Blues. On the tunes where you expect harmonica to be heard, the feel isn't there. Overall, it's better than some stuff on YouTube, but it isn't great or legendary.
Why is it that guys who play traditional blues with an edge or "modern" blues seem to be lacking the feel of the older guys. When someone issues a proclamaction that they are changing the music, they usually don't.
The guys that are revolutionary and change the blues rarely talk about it. They just do it.
"I get the feeling people think that the blues is a dead thing." Why? Can you elucidate please? Just interested in the basis for that statement.
Diggs, Joe has posted plenty of stuff on this forum over the years, you just, somehow, seemed to have missed it?
Last Edited by on Jun 18, 2011 10:57 AM
My bad sorry didn't realize he was a photographer. He has now link to youtube or anything except photos. Maybe it is dead locked in stone I'll let you do it your self my time is almost up here. I think I'm gonna get into Astrology LOL
---------- Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind How you doin'
This became personal, and I somehow ended in the middle of this "argument".
Yes Diggs, I need to practice more! In fact I do it everyday, and I'm still miles away from where I want to be. I don't have a doubt about it.
My advice, chill out........
Nobody is going to win a "cookie" for proving his points...
Diggs, I didn't roast you. In fact I would love to have a player as you in my city. Where I live I'm the only "serious" harmonica player, and it sucks, because if it's wasn't for internet I wouldn't have anyone to share my passion.
Anyway,
I'm out. ---------- With some latin flavour for you, chico!! :P
"my time is almost up here." If you are genuinely physically unwell, then that saddens me...it's one thing to be shooting one's mouth off about preferred harp styles, but there are things in life that make that inconsequential by comparison, like one's health & wellbeing.
The rest of your response is too much of a riddle for me, if you want dialogue & comprehension then you have to speak, we can't hear your thoughts & views unless you write them down/say them out loud.
My friends play pretty traditional Blues. It may not be your thing. I know how I sound. I know the kind of stuff I play. I don't make claims about being good, great or anything other than what I am. I also know that I'm a traditional style player that is completely content regurgitating the sounds of the past.
