The Blues Doctors have decided to work this tune up. Here's a video from our run-through. I hadn't quite re-memorized the thing, and I was still getting used to playing it while drumming. Lots of little things are off, not just the big thing in the middle. But we're on the way, and I'm looking forward to getting it right, by and by.
I still find two parts of the song, the big warbles that move up and down and the triple-tongued 4 draw near the end (which I double-tongued here), to be particularly challenging. Challenges are good!
For the purposes of comparison, here's an excellent and fairly recent performance by the Magic man himself. I've never been about slavishly copying the original, but there's no question that he gets all the little things right--as he should:
Last Edited by kudzurunner on May 25, 2017 9:04 AM
Adam, for the warbles, try playing them with a softer breath force and it will be much smoother to play and the 4 draw thing is similar to something Sonny Terry does with the tongue beating off the pallet of his mouth. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
Adam: glad you posted this! I had previously thought of Whammer Jammer as a James Cotton derivative that fell short of the original Cotton material; however, there are some nice touches in there and some original thinking, plus amazing energy.
Your cover stands up to any of the covers I've heard of this tune. Just a little polishing and you'll have a great addition to your repertoire (the "dammit" moment cracked me up...have definitely been there).
I've been woodshedding with the tune over the past several days and it's become apparent to me that the "few" things I miss are like innocent-looking cracks in the foundation of a house. I'm going to have to go back to school. Among other things, the sort of heavy grunts that I use on "Thunky Fing" are distributed quite widely across "Whammer Jammer," but I haven't been hitting them, or allowing them. Also, in the opening unaccompanied solo section, when the song goes to the IV chord (4 blow to blue third twice in a row) and then hits the 123 draw again, there's a quirky little move that I've had wrong for 43 years. It's a very small thing, but some of the very small things make a real difference.
I actually think your tone is cleaner and playing more precise than Magic Dick's. I get that a "dirty" sound is desireable in a lot of ways but there's fine line between being dirty and being muffled and sloppy. I think once you have played it 15-20 times you'll have it down and you'll be able to intentionally dirty it up just a bit and it will sound awesome. ---------- Tom Halchak www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
Adam, if you haven't tried it, YouTube has a speed change option. I found putting the "Full House" version of Whammer Jammer on .75 speed allows you to pick up some cool bits without distorting the audio too badly.
I've been wanting to record something since you started this thread. I can't play a foot drum at the same time, but here's a take from this morning. Thanks again for your lessons on this song as they helped me get my version to where it is today.
Nice one ridge (and Adam). It's easy for us as listeners to underestimate all the subtle things that go into making performances like that work well. Good stuff!
