At least that is what I was told. But let me put that into perspective. I am at a summer staff party with about 25 people including spouse and guests. I know most of the group but some are strangers. So it has just gotten dark and we are sitting outside around a roaring fire set up in a salvaged washing machine tub. It gets cool here in the evening next to the ocean.
So I have been practicing my blues and this is my chance to test an audience. My setup is a 15W SS modeling amp, a couple of pedals, my vintage green bullet, a boom box connected by blue tooth to my notebook computer that has all my music including many great backing tracks. This is my version of Modern Blues Harmonica.
So the group is watching me set up….I hear “I thought you were going to play harmonica, what’s with all the gear?” I'm feeling nervous now, these are my colleagues and they have not seen me play before, in fact I have never played amped in front of a group before… now I’m thinking this may not be my crowd…. what will they think of amped harp….what if I can’t remember anything… what if I’m no good…
So I’m set up…everybody is watching…I ask them “can anyone name a well-known harmonica player? Silence! One person says Neil Young….OK, this is going to be all new to them.
So I cue up my Big Walter Horton backing track for “Easy” and start. By the time I am into the part that has the low notes the crowd is stomping there feet and clapping and cheering. In the background I hear someone say “I didn’t know you could get that sound from a Harmonica! I go right into Little Walter’s “Last Night” that I played with more soul than I knew I had….again a great response back and they even liked my singing. Now their calling out requests…”play Orange Blossom Special”….well I said I will play the harp equivalent and went into “Juke” which was a big crowd pleaser.
I was for my first time an entertainer! Wow!
I am writing all of this as a “thank you” to Adam and all the MBH members. Without all of you and your stories and sharing of knowledge I would never have gotten to this point. I know this may be small change to some but there are lots of members on this forum that are at about the same point in their harp journey as me and I hope this will inspire you even a little.
Awesome! Very good to hear. I must get around to learning some of those classics myself. I've had the orange blossom special request too, but after hearing this one I thought maybe I needed some more woodshed time. something to learn for next time? ;) (sorry it's just the URL, you tube doesn't give me good share options from the phone) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUW4LYEJyks&feature=youtube_gdata_player ----------
Last Edited by on Jul 23, 2012 7:25 AM
Nice --- Nothing like the rush you get from a crowd who's really into what you are playing onstage. Here's to many more performances - and great audiences. ----------
Last Edited by on Jul 23, 2012 7:25 AM
