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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Memorable stories
Memorable stories
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Philosofy
62 posts
Oct 16, 2008
1:36 PM
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I saw the latest Trout/Ricci video, and thought we could share some memorable stories about playing. I've never been in a band, just open mic nights and sitting in. Outside of the times my stage performance snagged me a good looking chick, here's my story:
I was at an open mic night, and the guitarist was incredible. He played right handed, except when he played Hendrix, he would play left handed. I guess he's a big star in Europe doing a Hendrix tribute.
I was onstage with him, his bass player, a drummer, and another guitarist. At the end of the song, they said goodbye to the drummer and guitarist, and when I went to get off the stage they stopped me. They told me what key, and started playing. I started putting in some fills, and keeping up with this slow song. I knew the song from somewhere, but couldn't place it. I picked up the melody, and all of a sudden it dawned on me: we were playing Bob Marely's "Waiting in Vain", and I was a rythmically challenged white boy! When we finished, the place went nuts, and all the regular musicians said I nailed it! I was pretty happy after that.
So, what's your story? Sit in with anybody famous?
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bluzlvr
71 posts
Oct 16, 2008
4:23 PM
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This happened about 17 years ago. We went to see Lynnwood Slim and Kid Ramos at a local club that my band played at from time to time. I struck up a conversation with Slim in between sets and he is the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet. When I mentioned that I was a harp player, he insisted I sit in with them. I didn't have my harps with me. Luckily I lived close by, so I rushed home to get 'em.
I had a great time jamming a couple of songs with these great musicians and Slim was graciously complimentary of my playing. High praise indeed coming from a player of his caliber.
It also taught me a lesson. ALWAYS take your harps with you whenever you go out to hear music. You never know.
Last Edited by on Oct 17, 2008 1:58 PM
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bluesnut
42 posts
Oct 16, 2008
6:19 PM
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2 weeks ago I did my first open mic at a coffee shop, the Higher grounds in Wahiawa, Hawaii. They have a nice stage and equipment if you need it.I was figuring it would be empty because the previous weekend had a great jazz/blues band and it was empty. It was packed on a wedensday night and there was great stuff being played. I went up there with my amp and mic and after proper credit was given played Front porch blues and Adam's power harp groove. I nailed them both and saw feet tapping. Then was invited to go back and jam with another guitarist later and did. This was a big confidence booster. All the practice payed off. I want to do more now and add my own guitar backing a drum loop too. One guy had a loop station and he had a much richer sound. I have a question on another thread about loop stations if you care to comment.
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Zhin
62 posts
Oct 17, 2008
2:36 AM
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Sometime around a few months ago my Dad dragged me out to check out an acoustic set performed by a local legend by the name of Julian Mokhtar. He's arguably one of Malaysia's best guitar/slide players and has been known as the top dog here since as far back as the 80's.
The venue was called "No Black Tie" and it was just Julian and his guitar. Nobody else on stage with him. I instinctively brought a D and A harp with me even though I had absolutely no intention to get on stage. Put it this way, one known story about him here is that he's jammed with Buddy Guy at Hard Rock Cafe, Kuala Lumpur around the 90's. I think he's the only Malaysian guitar player who's ever had THAT kind of privilege. His presence was huge too. That man behaves like he's really got his $h!t together and has a very cool calm charming disposition. He's got all the white hairs and wrinkles to add that blues-man air of mystery around him too.
The venue is almost the size of a hole-in-a-wall bar but the people who run the place are very avant garde and they serve sushi with their drinks. The owner is a jazz pianist and has made it very clear that this is a place by musicians for musicians.
I had a great time watching and listening to him. It was really my first time to watch any kind of REAL blues-man live. And me and my Dad took the front seat so he interacted with us a lot with small talk and taking requests. He played ALL KINDS of music. From Son House to Muddy Waters... Dire Straits, Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, etc etc...
As the night went by he had already been playing for 2 hours. And by the way, he did not take a single break. He just kept going and going... challenging the audience to throw more requests at him. There were some really obscure requests too. He even played Red Hot Chilli Peppers!
By that point I was pretty drunk. Like, REAL DRUNK. I had my 5th glass of Jameson whiskey and was in a really good mood, munching sushi, occasionally singing along to songs that I knew. I usually wouldn't but this was one of those intimate places and everyone else was doing the same too. :)
I get up and head to the bathroom. Took the longest piss ever... well at least it felt like it. And heard the music stopped playing... I walked back into the bar and I see my old man talking to Julian and he stares RIGHT AT ME.
In my mind... "Uh... oh......"
Julian: Hey kid! You play the harp?
Trembling&Drunk: Uhh.... y..yeah....
Julian: What keys can you play right now?
Trembling&Drunk: A and E Major...
Julian: HEY SOUND GUY, GIVE HIM A MIC!
Trembling&Drunk: !?
Julian: You're up after the next 2 songs.
Trembling&Drunk: Ok! *heart pounding* *looks over at Dad questionably*
Dad: GO GET EM BOY! *Raises his beer, chugs it, and laughs*
Trembling&Drunk: ....
This is my first stage experience. I have only been playing for about a year and following Adam's lessons maybe only for a few months? Maybe 3-6 months? I can't remember anymore since I don't like counting these kind of things. One thing was certain, I felt unprepared and I was ready to run outside and go find a dark hole to crawl into. I was sweating buckets too. And shaking...
I called the waiter for another shot. Skulled it... took some ice cubes and chewed on them...
The 2 songs finished and I got called on stage. He told me to play in A key. I can't remember what song this was... could have been Red House...
I went up on stage and the crowd which consisted of about less than a dozen people looked questionably at me. Everyone was having a good time before and suddenly they all had this wary look on their faces.
The sound guy places an SM58 mic onto the mic stand in front me of... I've never used one before. I usually use an SM57... I look at it... grabbed it... and cupped it... and Julian IMMEDIATELY notices me cupping it and then looks back at the crowd.
The audience became dead silent. I could see some of them tensing up. Getting ready to be ear-raped by an amateur harp player... I positioned myself at Julian's left side and made sure I had my eyes on him at ALL TIMES. He starts playing... and I follow. I paid most attention to his timing, body language, and singing. Everytime he lifted his head to sing, I'd stop. Everytime he looked over his fretboard and looked back at the crowd to play a solo of some kind, I stopped. When there was space, I painted my own sound. I was really surprised with the tone I was getting from playing an SM58 straight into the PA. It was relatively warm!
Then my solo came in, Julian didn't say anything, he'd play in a manner that would indicate that he's waiting for a solo and looks over to me like "your turn". I play a hack 12 bar solo and he doesn't change his posture... it seemed like he wanted more... so I played another 12 bars...
The audience starts whistling and cheering! Some are drinking and some are laughing joyfully. I felt the biggest rush in my life at that very moment. My first moment of recognition from total strangers...
My hands were still trembling from the adrenaline but I at least knew I was doing SOMETHING right.
The song ends eventually and everyone seems happy. Julian stops and looks over at me as if waiting for me to say something.
StillTrembling&Drunk: You gonna kick me off now?
Julian: Oh no. I'm not done with you.
StillTrembling&Drunk: ... oh?
Julian: Lets play Sweet Home Chicago in E.
And before I could say anything he starts playing. I played a little better and was really having fun at this point. I still paid very close attention to whatever he was doing to make sure I don't step over him. The crowd loved it.
And for the first time, I saw my dad actually OPENLY looking at me PROUDLY. You must understand, he's a tough-as-nails corporate lawyer who runs his own firm for the past 20-30 years... and I've always been the kid who didn't pay much attention to school. I've been an artist my whole life. Oil painter and computer graphic designer... I never really felt like I pleased my old man even though I know he loves me. It's an Asian stigma to be an artist/musician type... But that moment, I KNEW I had made my old man very happy and proud of me.
The song was finally over. I honestly felt relieved because I was SO NERVOUS but excited at the same time.
Julian: That was pretty good.
Happy&Drunk: Thanks!
Julian: How long you been playing that thing?
Happy&Drunk: Uh... maybe a year?
Julian sorta jerks backwards like he was stunned or perhaps assumed that I may have insulted his intelligence. It was also the first time the entire night I saw his narrow eyed and furrowed brow expression changed to a wide eyed expression. Maybe he did it just to make me feel good and was being nice. I'll never know.
I thanked Julian several times before we left.
I went home with my Dad that night with a new sense of pride. My Dad looked so happy which made me felt really good. He told me that he will continue to support my endeavor to master my instrument and make something out of myself.
From then onwards, I stopped getting stage fright. It was like my Dad and Julian cured me from it. I will never forget this experience. What a privilege to play with my home country's best for my "debut" appearance.
I've made several personal milestones since then. One day, I will look up Julian again for another jam and hopefully give him the same reaction he had when he asked me how long had I been playing. ;)
And by the way, I would have NEVER been able to play harp without Adam's help. ALL THE CREDIT GOES TO ADAM GUSSOW. I even told this to Julian personally. I am of course also thankful to my Dad who decided to take the iniative to get me on stage. And thankful to Julian for giving me the oppurtunity.
THANK YOU ADAM.
Last Edited by on Oct 17, 2008 2:44 AM
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Zhin
63 posts
Oct 17, 2008
3:25 AM
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OH SNAP!
So as a friendly gesture I forwarded my story to Julian.
He replied within 5 minutes asking me if he could share my story on his blog.
I usually prefer to keep my personal correspondences private, ESPECIALLY when requested to do so but I think Julian won't mind if I let this one slip out. His reply:
"wow!
i just do what i do.
and it was just as good to have you do it with me!
then come jam with me :-
20 oct no black tie again
24 oct lagenda bistro, shah's village hotel
or tonight with karen nunis blackstone and me at lagenda bistro
will you let me share this story on my blog?"
I'm so naturally high right now. I feel that SAME adrenaline rush again coursing through my veins as I write this.
I won't be able to make it tonight for his gig but I will make sure to play with him on the 20th and 24th!
I NEED TO WOODSHED MY ASS OFF TILL THEN!
WOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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oldwailer
252 posts
Oct 17, 2008
9:07 AM
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Way cool story, Zhin--you ought to write a book--you already have a good start! ;) Thanks for taking the time to share that--it was humorous, touching, and inspiring all at the same time. . .
Oh, yeah--the other stories are good too--this is a fun thread--when I have more time I might come back and share something. . .
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Philosofy
63 posts
Oct 17, 2008
9:25 AM
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Cool story! You reminded me of an "almost" story I had. When the industry I work in had their convention in Chicago years ago, one of the companies I did business with rented out Buddy Guy's Legends for a private party, and I was invited. There was a blues band playing, and Buddy himself was sitting at the bar. (Most people there had no idea who Buddy was.) A lot of my friends were encouraging me to sit in with the band. I asked the lead singer on a break, and he said no (rather rudely, too.) So, I'm sitting at the bar, and another friend comes by and asks if I can get up there. I told him no, that I already asked. One of the employees heard me, and wanted to know who I asked. When I told him I asked the singer, he said "That' guy's an asshole. Ask the guitarist: he runs the band, and he'd be happy to have you." Well, I went over to the guitarist, but he was talking with Buddy. I didn't want to interrupt, and before I knew it, they were both onstage. The guitarist said it would be the last song of the night, and Buddy would play it with them. So, I came THIS close -><- to playing with Buddy Guy.
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Zhin
65 posts
Oct 17, 2008
9:46 PM
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Philosofy, bluzlvr and bluesnut... Really enjoyed your stories as I sit here eating on my lunch.
It's always so cool to see these experiences from another perspective! I know I benefit from stories from my harp peers a lot.
And thanks for the comments oldwailer and Philosify. oldwailer I KNOW you got some stories worth sharing so spill the beans already! ;)
I've been told more than once I should be a writer or journalist but that's not where my passion is. The way I see it, I know I can benefit from my writing when I start writing my own songs.
I can't bring myself to write a book about myself. Not at this stage or point in my life. I was merely sharing an experience.
Last Edited by on Oct 17, 2008 9:52 PM
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oldwailer
260 posts
Oct 18, 2008
11:16 PM
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Well, Zhin, I have had a couple of good things happen in my harping in the last couple of days--no playing with celebrities or anything that cool, but good.
I have been jamming at an open mic with a guitar player named Bob Falkenstein--a couple of times in the last two or three months. I posted some links recently to some vids of me playing with him.
Well, a couple of days ago I got this email asking me to come to another venue to play with him. Cool--an actual invitation to play!
So I went tonight and did it--might have a clip to share in a day or so--I'll have to see how it turned out. Had a great time.
Bob had been playing for a couple of hours before I got there, and the place was pretty dead when I arrived.
But I got out my harp box and we started playing anyway--just having fun jamming. Then the place started to get a whole lot busier. By the time I was done, we had the place rocking pretty good.
When we were done--I got paid! Wow! I didn't know we were playing a real gig with money involved and everything. Then this guy from the audience came up and hired us for a gig in March--jeez, I guess I'd better start practicing harder--this could get to be some serious fun!
So, back to the woodshed with a new resolve--I gotta learn some new chops before they find out I only know one song--I just change speed and key now and then. . .Think I'll start working harder on backing myself up with guitar--maybe throw in some singing. . .
Damn! What do people do for fun if they don't play music??
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Zhin
66 posts
Oct 18, 2008
11:52 PM
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Oldwailer that's wonderful! I feel happy for you!
That's a good story.
"Damn! What do people do for fun if they don't play music??"
They listen to the music of course. :)
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geordiebluesman
91 posts
Oct 19, 2008
4:18 AM
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Hi Harper's,This is a great thread,I can't share a story about playing like the one's above but i have felt a little of what you guy's have felt. At a party last week at my next door neighbour's house we were all having a wild old time,Phill my neighbour is a really good harp player and used to own a bar which always had blues bands playing so he knows lots of muso's many of whom were at the party Phill was playing music via his PC which has a huge flat screen TV as a monitor and he decided to play my song Dismissin Missin Blues off You Tube.I saw my ugly mug appear on the screen and i thought "OH MY GOD THIS WILL BE HORRIBLY EMBARASSING" Anyway the whole party stopped and watched my little You Tube effort including several pro musicians but amazingly when it was done the whole room cheered and i got back slaps and hand shakes i was well chuffed.I know that does'nt come close to getting up on stage, but it definatly made me at least consider the possibility that i could perhaps one day do it
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oldwailer
262 posts
Oct 19, 2008
10:14 AM
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Hey, Geordie--I'm hoping to come over to London for the next Olympics in 2012--I might just have to come and find you and drag your ass up onto a stage somewhere!
I think you have a lot more going in Dismissin' than you give yourself credit for. . .and you've been cheating since then and taking live lessons from a pro (at least that's how I remember it)!
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geordiebluesman
93 posts
Oct 20, 2008
12:37 AM
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Hi Oldwailer,Thanx for the Big Up mate, i'm just about to post a new song called I Got Me A Woman (But That Woman Is Mean),I should get it up their this week.I did go and have a lesson with a pro but he said i was too advanced for begginers lessons and not ready for intermediate so he advised me to just get back in the woodshed and put the work in,so that's what i'm doing.Also i have got my system sorted out so i can download Adams lessons and they are just as good as actual tuition and much cheaper so Happy Days!P.S. 2012 Olympics eh,I might be about ready to get up and play by then and i could recite some of my poetry if the playing went down bad,I've just written an epic called The Terrible Tale Of Rattlesnake Jones And That Black Hearted Pete,It's set in the wild west and has,Murder,Posse's, Lynchin's,And big busted dancin Girls,All the stuff that made your country so great!
Last Edited by on Oct 20, 2008 12:50 AM
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oldwailer
267 posts
Oct 20, 2008
5:21 PM
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OK, Geordie--you recite and I'll lay down a Sonny Terry hoot to back you up--I think I might be able to do a rattlesnake alright--just don't quite know how to do the big breasts--but I have a few years to work this all out. . .
I'll be looking forward to the Mean Woman post. . .
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rustywater
25 posts
Oct 21, 2008
11:49 AM
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I met Paul Jones of BBC and Blues Band fame at a religious bash a few years back when he was a guest speaker. Afterwards the poor bugger was standing alone in the tea room and nobody seemed to want to talk to him so I spent a good half hour chatting about the blues and music in general with him.
The unfortunate thing was that at the time I had not started playing the harp so never asked a single question about it.
I could cry sometimes, half an hour chatting to a great harpist is a dream really, oh well back to the bottle!!
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oldwailer
270 posts
Oct 21, 2008
9:17 PM
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It's a deal, Geordie--you don't have to show your legs if I don't have to show my belly!
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Randy G. Blues
8 posts
Apr 21, 2009
7:35 PM
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I work in the coffee industry as an independent contractor, mostly as a graphic artist and writer. This past weekend I attended the Specialty Coffee Association of America's (SCAA) annual exhibition in Atlanta. It is a wonderful gathering of folks from all over the world and I have made some good friends and met some of the most intelligent, tolerant, and interesting people I have ever met over the last six or so years I have attended.
There were no blues jams anywhere near where I was, and without a car I was not in the mood for travel, so to get some harp time in, on each morning's walk to the show from my hotel room, and each afternoon's walk back to my room I played the blues. A few bars of this, a few licks of that, and a few runs of the other. Some Juke, parts of Whammer Jammer, and whatever the mood told me to play in between. I particularly liked the looks from some of the older Black folks, looking at this white boy, walking the streets of Atlanta, Georgia, playing the blues. If they only knew I was Jewish! LOL
I always carry at least two harps, and as it turned out, I needed to play some blues on this weekend to wash them them away, or at least dilute them. As I was driving to the airport to catch my flight out, my wife was driving to the vet to have the oldest of our two dogs put down. She began some serious internal bleeding during the night and was passing blood. She was nearly 13, a good age for a German Shepherd, but she was Daddy's girl and I will always feel bad that I couldn't be there for her when she needed me the most. Hard to type when you're crying....
Playing harp while walking is not just a great exercise and test of your breathing ability, it's fun to see the reaction on the faces of folks as you walk along the city streets. That is even more true if you like to walk as fast as I do. I usually pass all the folks using the moving sidewalks in the airports, and I don't use the moving sidewalks. In the Atlanta airport I passed a couple of young folks who were using the moving walkway, and the man said to the woman, "Look, he's beating you."
I said, "And I can do it playing the harmonica," and I pulled out a harp and started playing, and I did beat them to the end of the walkway!
I have read that folks are teaching harmonica in care homes to older folks, not only as a fun activity and a mental stimulus, but as breathing therapy. How very cool.
On the last morning of the show I was having a particularly good jam session with myself and I played all the way right up to the entrance door of the exhibition center. Unless the activity inside such a place is boisterous or loud I refrain from playing once inside.
As I rode the escalator to the upper level, from behind me a voice, with a thick accent (either Italian of Spanish, I didn't quite catch it), said, "Why do you stop singing [playing]?" Probably a rough translation from his native tongue into English. And really, playing harp is a form of singing, no?
I replied, in a very friendly tone, "I don't like to bother people inside."
"You should not stop. It was very good."
"Thank you," I shyly, but sincerely replied.
He made my day. I think that comment was as satisfying as an auditorium filled with people applauding. At least to say, it sure felt like it to me at the time, and it was a time I needed that.
Arriving at SMF, I took the shuttle from the terminal back to the "economy" parking lot that only cost me $40 for a bit over 4 days... "Economy" obviously being a relative thing. The driver was a Black man, and he asked if I was just showing up, and I told him I was heading home.
"Back to the bills and debts. Why would you want to go home?"
"I'm heading back home to see my dog," I told him. "There's a blues song in there somewhere."
"There sure is," he replied.
So I took out my harp and improvised:
I'm headin' back home
wah wahhh wah wa
To see my dog
wah wahhh wah wa
Been gone too long
wah wahh wah wa
So I sing this song
Later he was begging the busload of folks for a chocolate bar. "A Mars, Three Musketeers, Milky Way, Coco Puffs.. anything.. Anybody got some chocolate?"
I said, "Well I ain't got no chocolate, but I can play you some Little Walter. "
"Who?"
"Little Walter....? Arguably the best blues harmonica player ever...?
"What about Stevie Wonder?"
"Well.. uhh.. Sure, he plays harmonica, but he ain't no Little Walter."
Maybe I'm just getting old, but it just isn't right... a Black man who doesn't know Little Walter.
Back home and tomorrow is rehearsal night; something I look forward to starting when I leave the last rehearsal. Our first concert is just a bit more than four weeks off, and the excitement grows as it's a big one and should be a great showcase for our coming-out party.
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