waltertore
1542 posts
Oct 10, 2011
8:39 AM
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Hi Adam: That was a class letter you wrote and I read the article and found nothing offensive. If my name was in there instead of Ricks I wouldn't have been offended. We all are continually growing up and to think we aren't means we are stagnated in past garbage that has yet to be dealt with. Being a public figure means you will be misquoted more times than not. At the same time one with a passion has to speak his heart. It is a setup for trouble so to speak. Live free. Don't ever stop your impulsive speak. I may not agree with you, but I respect you. That is something I wish more musicians owned instead of knee jerk reacting to someones statements(not Rick, but the many that have).
I have said and done things in the musical community that today would never come out of me. One thing I did and it was completely passionate, was tell paul butterfield, one of my heros, he stunk. He was near the end of his life and his playing and behaviors (I did opening gigs for him on the coast and hung with him in Tramps) were a disgrace. I looked up to the guy and here he was no better than a corner drunk. Today I would have had a lot more compassion but at that time I was so hurt by his downfall that I reacted to the best of my ability, but that would be the wrong way for today. Then there was the time when Charlie Musselwhite and I almost had it out. Again, drunken idiocy was the root.... We all have such ghosts in the closet if we are on the scene long enough. Part of being a creative and passionate person is the urge to react and speak from the heart and as we age we learn via such lessons. I too am growing up. Thanks. Walter
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Last Edited by on Oct 10, 2011 10:51 AM
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dougharps
104 posts
Oct 10, 2011
8:50 AM
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Reposted to Harp-L as requested.
Well, I sent it, but it doesn't seem to be showing up. Perhaps intercepted by the listowner??? It may need to be verified, or may be considered as not fitting the rules of the list.
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Doug S.
Last Edited by on Oct 10, 2011 9:01 AM
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WinslowYerxa
78 posts
Oct 10, 2011
9:49 AM
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On Saturday, harp-l listowner fjm posted a link to Adam's full post on this list, rathaer than quote the entire post:
http://harp-l.org/pipermail/harp-l/2011-October/msg00148.html
Last Edited by on Oct 10, 2011 9:52 AM
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MN
100 posts
Oct 10, 2011
10:01 AM
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That's a class letter, Adam. Many years ago at Jason's place in Lake Worth, Fla., you told me about that earlier incident with Rick. I thought back to that conversation when I read that line in the Princeton Alumni Weekly piece.
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kudzurunner
2737 posts
Oct 10, 2011
10:33 AM
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@Doug & Winslow: I understand that each harp forum has different rules. No problem. If harp-L's rules allow, you might start a thread there entitled "Gussow's open letter to Rick Estrin and the blues harmonica community," and link this page. No need to copy and paste what I've written here. Thanks.
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WinslowYerxa
80 posts
Oct 10, 2011
12:00 PM
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I gather from some of fjm's other comments that discussion on harp-l got very heated on this topic, on the brink of uncivil, and he was making an effort to cool things down. This was after he posted the link, so that may not be the reason for not posting the entire text (I suspect the issue may have ben length but I don't actually know).
My point is that waiting a couple of days before continuing the topic on harp-l might help cut the noise ration and allow more signal through..
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RT123
236 posts
Oct 10, 2011
2:59 PM
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The bigger point is we all continue to grow as players and people. I am sure it's frustrating to be taken out of context but earlier statements may have been your belief before but not now. The more we learn, the more we realize how little we knew before.
I found myself on the other side of this and it was a major reason why I stopped posting for so long. There was a very active member who had the answer for everything. His opinion was fact, not opinion, in his mind. He thought if you didn't play his style, his level, his overblows, you were not a good player. Recently he has posted some much more humble remarks. It made me happy to know he is growing beyond his "know it all" past. I actually find myself enjoying his questions, information, and knowledge now.
With that I have given him a clean slate and starting over. I figured out that he wasn't that great player but was pretending he was the player he wants to be.
It doesn't matter who it is. Some of you may know, some of you may not. I just think we all go through this phase and I am sure I have at times as well.
Last Edited by on Oct 10, 2011 3:00 PM
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eharp
1498 posts
Oct 10, 2011
4:02 PM
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adam- somebody on fb asked rick about your "quote."
to paraphrase rick- "as far as i'm concerned, adam and i are cool. i know what it's like to get misquoted."
just thought i'd let you know so you can sleep tonite.
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Zadozica
137 posts
Oct 10, 2011
4:21 PM
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Ahhhh Adam - the press always seems to have an agenda. That agenda is to sell their wares any way they can regardless of whom they might hurt.
Distort the truth, not a problem. Obfuscate, not a problem.
The chaos will work itself out and all will be fine in the harmonics of the universe - although it's easy for me to say that.
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Buzadero
882 posts
Oct 10, 2011
4:42 PM
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"to paraphrase rick- "as far as i'm concerned, adam and i are cool. i know what it's like to get misquoted.""
Estrin is as cool as they come. Class act, all the way.
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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bharper
68 posts
Oct 10, 2011
5:42 PM
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Adam, why are you not on Harp-L?
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dougharps
107 posts
Oct 10, 2011
6:10 PM
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The letter I forwarded this morning at 11:49AM showed up on Harp-L after 7:45PM, so it has now been posted there. I assume there was a review before posting.
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Doug S.
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Oisin
875 posts
Oct 10, 2011
7:21 PM
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Removed by poster.
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Oisin
Last Edited by on Oct 10, 2011 8:43 PM
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tmf714
830 posts
Oct 10, 2011
7:31 PM
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@Oisin-that would be none other than Rick Davis-
the same Rick Davis from http://www.bluesharpamps.blogspot.com/
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jbone
657 posts
Oct 10, 2011
8:10 PM
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speaking as the husband of a true and real journalist, i just have to say that, while i do see the trend mentioned above- selling copy regardless of who may be hurt or misquoted- there are some who still follow the path of principle and ethic in their writing. my wife is one of these.
Adam, what i see in your open letter is a responsible and humble outreach and offer of an olive branch. very sensitive, and i think one of the reasons this forum is the thriving agora it is.
these sorts of issues i find to be very much above me.
i am one who was of course completely taken by the old masters, and still am. i am also quite taken with the newer techniques espoused by you, Jason,Mr. Estrin, and others. not that i have studied new techniques much, i'm still feeling my way to large extent in the vein of the Walters, SBII and the others. i suppose i do an overblow here or there without really realizing it. i am such an instinct player.
i just wanted to chime in and express my appreciation for this forum, Adam, and all that you have done and continue to do to keep the harmonica as a respected instrument and not "just a toy", which i feel has been the worst misconception of it for decades now. your openness is a real and true example of a real and true man and i give you my respect for this.
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Joe_L
1512 posts
Oct 10, 2011
8:31 PM
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Oisin - I can see that class isn't quite working. Rick Davis is a forum member. Be careful what you write.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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Oisin
876 posts
Oct 10, 2011
8:35 PM
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You are right Joe...I should be bigger than that. I'm deleting now. Dale Carnegie would be turning in his grave.
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Oisin
Last Edited by on Oct 10, 2011 8:42 PM
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Zadozica
139 posts
Oct 11, 2011
6:20 AM
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@Jbone - you are of course correct. I was speaking in absolutes which is a habit of mine I am trying to break. Not all journalist are that way, just too many (for my tastes).
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dougharps
108 posts
Oct 11, 2011
8:09 AM
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This is in reference the the posting of Adam's letter on Harp-L, and the delay in it showing up on that list.
It was not an issue of review of the content.
The email was automatically hung up due to it's large size (over 15K).
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Doug S.
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geordiebluesman
470 posts
Oct 11, 2011
2:38 PM
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I have Rick Estrins harmonica instruction DVD and it is my favourite inspiration source by far! pure genius and laugh out loud funny.
Rick strikes me as a worldly wise and VERY laid back guy who definatly would'nt take no shit but at the same time would'nt take offence without good reason and i recon having met Adam previously and taken him to task over his origonal comments he is going to see what Adam percieves as the negative spin on this article for exactly what it is, Negative Spin and not genuine opinion.
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JInx
88 posts
Oct 11, 2011
10:20 PM
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Hey Kudzurunner,
I understand totally.., I say stupid shit to people all the time. Chalk it up to being a chumpman i guess. But,....Rick Estrin? that cat is seriously cool...I saw him back 2001 play the Towers plaza before they fell. How did you find to diss him? I mean, jeez he IS the bombditty!
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