harpdude61
1846 posts
Sep 27, 2013
11:28 AM
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A blues diatonic competition (not jazz or classical or chromatic or harp tuning of the week)with judges and a good timin blues lovin crowd whose response is part of the judging...with a prepared piece for each contestant with the same backing by the band, the players own prepared piece, an ad lib part, and a final blues head cutting on stage. Forget vocals. Mercy!
Keep in mind guys. I'm not talking about what you prefer or your taste. I expect them to be different. When you ask for best we are each only one vote. Who you think is best is not the question. I'm talking about mass appeal with the criteria I just mentioned.
I think my vote would be among the strong majority for Jason Ricci. Not because he is my favorite listen (Cotton is), but because of the 4 times I saw him live, what I heard and audience response was far ahead of everyone else. Sure, many others are great crowd pleasers. Not the question.
Number 1 is subjective and I would be in shock if all of you thought Jason Ricci was number one. I don't want your number one.
Remember, I'm not asking who you like best. I'm asking what you think a crowd of 50,000 beer drinkin blues lovers would like best.
Best is subjective for individuals but not the masses. This is Modern Blues Harmonica so this question seems only logical.
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timeistight
1387 posts
Sep 27, 2013
11:47 AM
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Crowds of 50,000 beer-drinking "blues" lovers generally like loud wankery, so the loudest wanker would be "best".
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harpdude61
1847 posts
Sep 27, 2013
11:53 AM
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Which is?? Hey time..it's where the money is and the people that buy CDs...usually blues non-alcoholic events can be lame....not about the alcohol anyway..
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tmf714
2055 posts
Sep 27, 2013
12:03 PM
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Jason is no longer touring and playing out-or should I say not currently touring and playing out-
Rod Piazza- I am not sure of the number of "beer drinking blues lovers " were there,but they liked Rod the best-the other choices were Curtis Salgado and Sugar Ray Norcia-
Rod wanted to borrow my 6-10 HarpKing-hard to say no to this man-
Last Edited by tmf714 on Sep 27, 2013 12:17 PM
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capnj
164 posts
Sep 27, 2013
12:40 PM
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I'm just going by acts I have seen in the last few years.For older established acts,Rick Estrin,fairly young band,can play very energized,and has that showman swagger.Sugar blue will rock and rile them up,but just personally I am not a big fan of super long solos no matter what the instrument.
Younger blood guys,of course mooncat,but would love to see him live.John Nemeth with two lead guitar players,would get the beer drinkin hell raisers ready to start pounding some shots.John pulled some younger guitar player from some other band,their set was blues rock ala paul butterfield band style.Wish I could remember that cats name.
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The Iceman
1195 posts
Sep 27, 2013
12:42 PM
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"I'm asking what you think a crowd of 50,000 beer drinkin blues lovers would like best."
Not the most cultured of audiences...
My experience is that this type of audience is similar to the biker crowd, so the winner would be whoever plays loudest, fastest and does the best cover of "Born to be Wild".
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The Iceman
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harpdude61
1848 posts
Sep 28, 2013
1:33 AM
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Theo....You didn't understand the question....Great answers guys. I would love to see Rod and I know Sugar Blue ignites the crowds.
This is where personality, flair, and connecting with the audience become a big part of live performance. That is why people like Rod and Rick do belong near the top. I've seen great musicians that did not know how to connect.
Beer and blues festivals are NOT uncultured crowds. Where have you been Iceman? 90% of the time if there is blues being played there is alcohol being served. I'm not talking about a biker rally. I'm talking about a blues festival.
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Frank
2848 posts
Sep 28, 2013
5:52 AM
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The "nighthawks" could easily steal that show away from most anybody - food for thought :)
Okay - if just a player - I'm pretty sure Mark Werner, Andy Just or Majic Dick could Prevail In that situation... even Popper or Blue.
My money is on Mark :)
Last Edited by Frank on Sep 28, 2013 6:15 AM
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colman
267 posts
Sep 28, 2013
7:37 AM
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The best wopper-bopper-show-stopper harp blower and showman I`ve ever seen over the years ,since 1968,Is James Cotton, Saw him at least 10 times,and in the 70`s his pkg. would knock you out...the FATTEST HONK,and the most in your face show.!!!
and i`m talking about a small club ,up to the Spectrum in Philly...
Last Edited by colman on Sep 28, 2013 7:39 AM
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harpdude61
1849 posts
Sep 28, 2013
8:47 AM
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colman..I would give anything to have seen Cotton back in those days. His youtube videos from the 70s live shows are so fun to watch.
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timeistight
1390 posts
Sep 28, 2013
9:38 AM
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Cotton at his peak probably could have "cut" any harp player before a large crowd like you describe.
Does that mean he's the best ever? Not to me. Cotton is great, but not that great.
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Frank
2851 posts
Sep 28, 2013
12:30 PM
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Caught James twice in the 80's - once in a little club and the other an outdoor fairground - he and the band were hoppin and had groove to spare, great entertainment :)
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