kudzurunner
108 posts
Sep 14, 2008
7:35 AM
|
Is anybody here familiar with the playing of Shawn Irwin? I came across his most popular YouTube video quite by accident. Whenever a video is entitled "The Best Harmonica Player in the World," I'm intrigued--especially since I've heard Howard Levy, Paul Delay, Sugar Blue, Jason Ricci, L. D. Miller, Kim Wilson, John Popper, Rod Piazza, Magic Dick, Billy Branch, William Clarke, James Cotton, and many others in small club settings, up close and personal. When I'm on my game, I FEEL like a bada--, ready to take 'em all on, but that's just a feeling--one every player should be suffused with on occasion--and bears no relationship to reality. But I'm impressed when any player goes public with such sentiments. Maybe it's purely tongue-in-cheek, but maybe it's not. Or maybe it's a put-on AND a heartfelt brag at the same time. You tell me.
Here's a link to the YT video:
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=nEAypudaSFs
Here's a link to Irwin's MySpace Page:
http://www.myspace.com/shawnirwinmusic
I hear somebody who has some good basic blues chops and has spent a lot of time listening to Popper. Or at least his style on the upper end of the harp moves in that warp-speed direction. I like that super-fast stuff. L. D. Miller plays that way, too. I may have to toss his mp3 on my Amazing Slow-Downer and see what the heck he's doing.
I think he's got great promise, in any case. I like the clarity of his lower-octave playing.
Last Edited by on Sep 14, 2008 7:39 AM
|
oldwailer
190 posts
Sep 14, 2008
9:42 AM
|
Well, "great promise" is a good way to put it. I think that claiming the title "Worlds Greatest" at anything might require a little historical perspective--not just an ability to play clear notes at warp speed.
Some tinge of innovation might be required for the title as well, and I don't really hear that in this cut.
I liked the vid very much--but, if I was sitting down to a nice tall drink and wanted to put on some real listening music, I'm pretty sure a CD of this ilk wouldn't be on the stack. Of course, for me, none of Popper's CD's would be there either. Your "Front Porch Slow Blues," Adam--would definitely be on the stack. But I have older, slower ears.
Shawn seems to be quite young, and I think we could expect some real greatness from him in the future. . .
|
belfast_harper
8 posts
Sep 14, 2008
1:51 PM
|
If you read the comments he says that john popper is is hero, he also says -
"Oh by no means to I think I'm the best! I just entitled it that so it would get more hits. So far it's work really well lol. But no I'm NOT the best at all. There are many who are more talented than I, but John Popper will forever be the guy I wish I could play like. But thanks so much for the compliment and the honesty! "
|
LittleJoeSamson
64 posts
Sep 14, 2008
11:51 PM
|
I would LOVE to hear you in person, Adam.
You sound humble. I fit that. Many that hear me tell me that I am the best harmonica player in the world.
I say thanks, but know there are so MANY good ones...and we are all different!
I know Rod, Mark, Kim, James, Cadillac Pete, Westside Andy, Madcat, Liban, Cohen, Pete LaCocque.
( sadly, paul delay and gary primich )...Have met Mayall, McClinton.
Have pursed with Kit Gable. jammed with Eddie Shaw...
c&b with Jim Schwall. Traded licks with Michael Coleman,
John Brim, Shirley King.
Sat in with Buddy Miles.
Last Edited by on Sep 15, 2008 6:18 AM
|
Shawn Irwin
1 post
Feb 12, 2014
1:20 PM
|
Wow, Adam I have studied your lesson series on YouTube this past year thoroughly as you are one of my top 5 all time favorite players; I just now googled my name for fun and had no idea I had been recognized on the internet at all, much less by you! My name has popped up on some other websites too...crazy. I really am so humbled by your kind words. And I really appreciate everyone's constructive criticism. I would love to get some more feedback from all of you now that it has been a few years and I've gone in a different direction with my playing style. (I've left the popper phase far being for the most part.) I just posted some new videos of me playing at a local bar here in Knoxville, TN where I live. Thanks again so much to all of you for your encouragement! Here's one of the videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdpWEvqUMxM&sns=em
Last Edited by Shawn Irwin on Feb 12, 2014 1:35 PM
|
Jehosaphat
687 posts
Feb 12, 2014
1:48 PM
|
|
Shawn Irwin
2 posts
Feb 12, 2014
3:24 PM
|
Thanks Jehosaphat! I couldn't figure out how to embed it from my phone... Much appreciated!
|
jbone
1498 posts
Feb 14, 2014
3:16 AM
|
Keep doing what you're doing young man! I hear things in your playing I have yet to approach myself even after many years.
That initial video, I heard some Ozark Mountain Daredevils in there as well. I also went through a sort of Popper phase in the 90's.
I wonder if you're familiar with the late great Carey Bell? Hard to put into words but he managed to communicate not just really great licks and chops but a love came out in his playing. He was a real force to be reckoned with and once I had bee injected with his playing, my depth seemed to increase. I don't know quite how to say it other than that.
You are defi8nitely on a good track young sir!
----------
http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
|
Frank
3824 posts
Feb 14, 2014
4:50 AM
|
Some bluesy blues you layed down Shawn - nice :)
----------
The Centipide Saloon
Tip Your Waiter Please
|
TheoBurke
582 posts
Feb 14, 2014
6:57 AM
|
Shawn Irwin is an especially tasty young player who can only get better at what's doing on the harp. I first came across the video Adam posted a couple of years ago because of the title (always checking out the Youtube competition) and thought "here's a young man who knows his way around this little device." It's a little ragged , sure, but his attack is solid and he knows where to go to get a note for emphasis, where to start for a speedy run. What I like is that there is nothing indefinite or second guessing in this playing. From what I've heard, it's just a matter of playing, playing, playing and then playing some more, in all situations. I like his ideas, his tone, his speed. Great things are in store if he continues.
----------
Ted Burke
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheoBurke?feature=mhee
http://ted-burke.com
tburke4@san.rr.coM
|
Shawn Irwin
10 posts
Apr 03, 2014
11:10 AM
|
Thanks so much for the kind words! I really am humbled to get the opportunity to share my videos with you guys and get your feedback. It helps me to be motivated to keep playing and push myself to get better. It really means a lot to me, so thank you! Here's a few acoustic videos I just posted today. I'd love to hear more of everyone's thoughts on them! And if someone has the ability to repost them as embedded videos, that would be great too! Thanks so much friends!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKwbItEqSRk&list=UUqt5xCQTnRKQwCLZoOeCoNw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wlfxpnuw9ZM&list=UUqt5xCQTnRKQwCLZoOeCoNw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL83ybdQ_hQ&list=UUqt5xCQTnRKQwCLZoOeCoNw
Last Edited by Shawn Irwin on Apr 03, 2014 11:16 AM
|
Lmbrjak
227 posts
Apr 03, 2014
1:32 PM
|
|
slaphappy
15 posts
Apr 03, 2014
2:53 PM
|
good tone, rhythm, phrasing, harmony, smooth overblows, tasty vibrato, strong upper octave playing.. what's not to like?
of course slaphappy wants to hear some more slaps and TB'ing but that's just me. ;)
Last Edited by slaphappy on Apr 03, 2014 2:58 PM
|
Shawn Irwin
11 posts
Apr 03, 2014
6:11 PM
|
Thanks slaphappy! Yes I would totally throw in the slaps and TB'ing if I could, but unfortunately my my tongue moves in super slow motion when I try to do those techniques and I have exhausted every idea to try to improve in that area, but it appears that I simply don't have the ability...Thank you for the constructive criticism nonetheless!
|
JustFuya
38 posts
Apr 03, 2014
7:49 PM
|
Excellent harp. I would goose my accompaniment into sharing the stage.
|
Shawn Irwin
12 posts
Apr 03, 2014
11:31 PM
|
@JustFuya Yeah I normally don't play as predominantly at gigs or on album recordings, but those two video recordings were made mainly with the intention to showcase my playing. Thanks for the feedback! Much appreciated.
|
BronzeWailer
1250 posts
Apr 04, 2014
12:56 AM
|
Very impressive!
BronzeWailer's YouTube
|
sonny3
160 posts
Apr 04, 2014
3:32 AM
|
Good tone! Great stuff!
|
Shawn Irwin
13 posts
Apr 04, 2014
8:31 AM
|
Thank you!
|
Shawn Irwin
14 posts
Apr 15, 2014
6:08 PM
|
Here is a quick and dirty slow blues studio recording I laid down over the weekend. I'd love to hear what you guys think. My buddy singing wrote the lyrics.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/2kmbo86lb09eydz/Shawn%20Irwin.mp3
Also here is a video of me playing a little Amazing Grace at a friend's house.
Last Edited by Shawn Irwin on Apr 15, 2014 6:48 PM
|
BronzeWailer
1253 posts
Apr 15, 2014
9:05 PM
|
Thanks for sharing. Let me preface this by saying that your playing ability is excellent, much better than mine. Great use of the high end.
Loved your Amazing Grace. Soulful indeed. The other song featured a variety of excellent techniques, which was its strength and perhaps its weakness, in my opinion. You have great material. I just think it could be edited down (read, shortened) a bit. I think it would have more impact if it was shorter and more focused. My two cents worth.
BronzeWailer's YouTube
|
Shawn Irwin
15 posts
Apr 16, 2014
4:41 AM
|
Thanks for the feedback BronzeWailer! If I make an official recording of it it will definitely be much shorter in length. I'm glad you enjoyed the amazing grace!
|
BronzeWailer
1254 posts
Apr 16, 2014
3:46 PM
|
Cheers Shawn!
BronzeWailer's YouTube
|
