kudzurunner
4389 posts
Nov 20, 2013
7:22 PM
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I got an email today from somebody who mentioned having read that one of the greatest harp sounds I'd ever heard was a youngish balding white guy who was playing with Jimmy Rogers one night at Manny's Car Wash in NYC. He was playing through a nameless mic and, as it turned out, a solid state PA head played either through the house PA or through a cabinet of some kind. Incredible squalling sound. Better than any tube amp I'd ever heard. When I asked him about his sound after the set, he complained, "Yeah, all my shit was ripped off from the van and this is the best I could do."
I never did get his name back then. But today somebody provided the name: Keith Doder. He is, or was until he passed away a few years ago, part of the St. Louis scene. His name has never been mentioned in this forum, according to the forum search engine. So he's a discovery of sorts, and this thread would be a good place to share whatever information you've got about the guy.
I went to YouTube right away and found this, which showcases his acoustic sound. It's terrific. It's not the amplified squall that I heard that night back in 1996, but it confirms once again that the foundation of a great amplified sound is a great unamplified sound.
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Nov 20, 2013 7:23 PM
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Frank
3326 posts
Nov 21, 2013
5:18 AM
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That some beautiful blues harmonica playing - Only other player I heard play "blue tones" like that is Sugar Blue :)
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The Iceman
1280 posts
Nov 21, 2013
5:40 AM
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Unaware that he passed away.
Keith was one of the local players that The Golden Age of SPAH (pre-Tate) included in their convention in 1999 in St. Louis. He was excellent.
It was our philosophy at the time to always include local talent whenever the convention came to town.
This was the year we highlighted Sandy Weltman and a few other local harp players at the convention with teaching slots and performance time...a great way to encourage players to join SPAH and expose local talent that was unknown amongst the membership base.
I also discovered Carol Beth True as a pianist and brought her on board the SPAH train for a few years.
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The Iceman
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Frank
3328 posts
Nov 21, 2013
6:07 AM
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Sugar with PineTop :)
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The Centipide Saloon
Tip Your Waiter Please
Last Edited by Frank on Dec 06, 2013 6:14 PM
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tmf714
2187 posts
Nov 21, 2013
7:15 AM
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kudzurunner
4391 posts
Nov 21, 2013
9:10 AM
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I saw that video with Doder accompanying Bob Case. His playing there isn't nearly as good as what I heard that night at Manny's, but then again: he was playing with Jimmy Rogers and his band. The rhythm section makes a difference.
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Rgsccr
212 posts
Nov 21, 2013
9:46 AM
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Wow! That (Cummins Prison Farm) is powerful! It sent chills up and down my spine. Off the top of my head, the only other recording that does that to me is the Baby Face Leroy "Rollin' and Tumblin" with Muddy Waters and Little Walter.
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Rgsccr
213 posts
Nov 21, 2013
9:57 AM
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Can't find Cummins Prison Farm by Tommy Bankhead on Itunes or Amazon (it's there by others Magic Sam, Calvin Leavy, etc. Anybody know where it can purchased - song or album that it is part of?
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JTThirty
230 posts
Nov 21, 2013
6:41 PM
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Never heard of Mr. Doder, but he certainly has a ripping good tone. Thanks, Adam, for turning me on to another tone monkey.
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Ricky B
http://www.bushdogblues.blogspot.com
RIVER BOTTOM BLUES--crime novel for blues fans available at Amazon/B&N and my blog
THE DEVIL'S BLUES--ditto
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wolfkristiansen
239 posts
Nov 21, 2013
10:37 PM
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That's a great video-- Tommy Bankhead and Keith Doder. Love the bluesy harp sound coming from Doder. Frank is right, lots of "blue tones".
Let me talk about something else in this video-- the sound. We use electronics (reverb, delay) to simulate the sound of a harp played in a room with lots of reverberation. No electronics here. I think I hear natural reverberation-- as if he's playing in a 17th century European cathedral. Either that, or he's using a drinking glass held next to the harp. Or both?
Anyways, the subtle reverberant sound was beautiful.
Cheers,
wolf kristiansen
Last Edited by wolfkristiansen on Nov 21, 2013 10:38 PM
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nacoran
7362 posts
Nov 21, 2013
11:34 PM
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That is some tasty playing!
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Nate
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