The more I check out her concert videos on YouTube--and there's a set of about ten, with a repertoire that notably overlaps my own funk/jazz take on the blues, but owing nothing to me--the more impressed I am. I began my YouTube series by saying something to the effect that I didn't see people trying new things. She's definitely a next-generation harp player, working out her approach, and I'd love to see more.
Here's her version of "Whammer Jammer." She nails the one part that I never get quite right--those upward warbles in the middle, just before a bent 10 blow--and I'm very impressed with this:
I hope that our European correspondents will tell me more about Rachelle. How long has she been active on the scene over there? Is she one of JJ Milteau's students?
Sorry, but she gives me the same feeling that I get when I see the average Japanese violinist - it's just going through the technical motions, not having any feeling for the music.
HI! I am new here. Long time wanderer 1st time poster.
whats the point of this thread? isn't there another one?
but anyway I know rachelle personally. She took lessons from JJ but she is a student under the tutelage of Xavier Laune. She has been playing since childhood. She is also a lesbian (maybe a fad with french female harp players?) she, obviously, can play amplified but she prefers acoustic and her tone is excellent. she often plays on the street, not for money, but because thats how she got her start and it is what she calls "public practice" (in french though)
Well, I guess I helped Adam discover an amazing young lady. She's sixteen I believe, at least that is what I gathered from her biographie. No feeling in her playing? That's crazy! And, what does sexuality have to do with it?
The point of this thread was to get her last name in the thread. The other thread didn't do that. So I did that.
"Whammer Jammer" isn't about feeling; it's not a break-your-heart blues. It's about energy, swing, and flow. I think she has all those things beautifully under control in this video. She also makes a few subtle alterations in the song. I suspect that Magic Dick would be proud. I like the way she throws vibrato into her passing TB notes, and I'm amazed at how well she hits the 10 blow bend. I'm certainly no better. If she's really 16, then she most definitely IS a phenom.
Her sexuality means nothing to me, one way or another, but to each his (or her) own.
Zack, you need to understand that gay men are allowed to joke about lesbians; it's a way of showing brotherly/sisterly solidarity within the homosexual community. :)
Last Edited by on Apr 19, 2009 10:18 AM
For the record, I could care less about anyone's sexuality. However, I can't help but notice that out of the few female harp players that I've heard of 2 out of 3 of them happen to be lesbian... ---------- "Without music, life would be a mistake" -Nietzsche
I can't beleive what you wrote about Rachelle's sexuality, this is so much disrespectful for what she's doing....Do we point YOU straight people and defining who you're just because you're straight???
Last Edited by on Apr 20, 2009 12:57 AM
Well, it may have been humorous, but that does not even matter. That's like being, oh Joe Johnson, he's a great player, and even an alcoholic. Un-needed information, not because it's 'bad' but because it is totally irrelevant.
Zack, I contend that it doesn't matter. We live in a society of labels. People feel the need to label everything, he's a jerk, she's a slut, he's a good player, bad player, fat, tall, skinny, ugly, gorgeous etc...
if you're missing an eye and your generally know to be an asshole how can anyone be offended if you're labeled a one-eyed asshole? The point is, you are what you are so own it and be happy with who you are.
at least buddha gets it. its 2009. people should not be so serious. ya i can see how it shouldnt have been mentioned that she likes girls but so what? its a forum. people talk. who know, maybe she would even think its funny an actually get the shirt. an i dont wanna be one to judge an im no expert but blues music can be some violent, hard, lowdown stuff, so in a genre like this no one should be offended by some stupid shit like this. besides...i didnt even bring it up, im just sayin.
but she a badass harp player thats for sure.
Last Edited by on Apr 20, 2009 6:35 PM
I was not offended by the tongue blocking things. But, I was just raised a little differently, I find some things insulting. Pardon me, and also, this is the internet, misconception is bound to happen.
I agree with buddha- there's nothing wrong with being who you are (as long as you aren't hurting others) so why be offended if someone says you are what you are as long as they aren't insulting it?
Back to the band-- I can't help but notice that she has an awesome keyboard player who solos on "Chameleon" and "I Feel Good". Maybe it's just that I appreciate it because I play piano but I'm just wondering if any of you noticed his awesomeness... ---------- "Without music, life would be a mistake" -Nietzsche
I definately enjoyed the keyboard player as well Patrick. I really enjoyed the whole thing they had going on. Im dissappointed that they dont have their own website (aside myspace) or purchasable recordings. Maybe one day as they grow...
I sure as hell wish I could harp 1/4 as good. Perhaps Ill get there someday if I dont give up.
I think I'm more bothered by the overly sensistive and humorless than the odd joke now and then. As with music, it's all context. Call it "delivery". Just as you impart certain feeling, emotion, force and technique to create "tone", you do the same with the spoken (or, in these modern times, the typed) word. I am a very sarcastic person. I am also pretty edgey when it comes to jokes. I am proud of the fact that I can deliver a line to my black, fat, gay or short friends and they get it and can laugh about it, while outsiders within earshot squirm in discomfort. That's fun to me because I find it funny that our modern society takes things so seriously. I work in a rough-and-tough industry where we spend long periods of time trapped together in a confined group. Thin skin will drive yourself crazy. It's exagerrated because of the close quarters. We all learn to lighten up or we go screaming into the night. It's similar but less intense in an office setting where the same folks are stuck with each other day in and day out.
The mere fact that someone on this forum makes a lesbian joke (that was funny by the way) should not be offensive on it's own. Straight or gay, the joke maker knows what they meant and how they intended to deliver it. Granted, the written word doesn't convey sarcasm or cutting edge borderline delivery as well as verbally (orally? or am I fringing more sexual banter?) But, even though these days it's contra to our delicate sensibilities, my advice is to give the benefit of the doubt before any PC confrontation, rather than the other way around.
A "one-eyed asshole" referenced in the same thread as potential lesbian harmonica toungue technique. Now this is an online community that you just can't explain to outsiders.
As webmaster, I've tried really hard to treat the subject of "free interchange" on this forum with a light hand. I'm a libertarian at heart.
And jonsparrow is surely right that blues music can be some "violent hard lowdown stuff."
So Jon: Why don't you just get the fuck off this forum? :)
Now, that's a "joke." Or at least it is to me. I'm just having fun. Right? Of course, Freud said that joking was just a socially acceptable way of releasing aggression, so maybe I'm also expressing aggression.
Here's the problem that I'm starting to see quite clearly, and that saddens me: the straight white men who dominate this board have absolutely no idea how the world looks like to those who aren't straight white men.
Lesbians, for example.
Gay white men.
Gay black men.
Straight black men.
Jokes are part of what make life worth living. Laughing to keep from crying is a part of the blues.
But certain kinds of joking--and specifically, joking about sexualities, races, and genders outside the white hetero norm that prevails on this forum--has an effect that straight white guys find it extremely easy to ignore, deny, and minimize. The effect, for a person outside that "norm," is to make this a distinctly less friendly place than it would otherwise be.
Please don't invoke the term "political correctness" as a way of telling me I'm full of shit. This isn't about that. This is about being honest about what sort of environment the white boys are actually creating, as opposed to the sort of enviroment--hey, we're basically a friendly board!--they think they're creating.
I suspect that Zhin has something to say about this. Zhin, how would you feel if this board contained a low-key but distinct thread of let's-make-fun-of-Asians?
Christelle is entirely right to be pissed off. If this board were dominated by gay female harp players and discussions of the occasional white guy were threaded with comments about their skinny chests (or unattractively furry backs), AND, in addition, if white guys were required to live in a world where that sort of stuff went on all the time--hell, most of you would get pissed off, too.
(The fact that the furry backs thing is funny, rather than offensive, is precisely my point: We straight white guys still have all the cultural power. Nobody uses furry-backs insults to routinely put us down. But if we had little cultural power, if we came from a historically besieged minority, such slurs might not seem so funny. They might hurt, in fact. And if they showed up on a forum like this, among a group of folk whom we took to be our friends and equals--now that WOULD hurt.)
Same with the "chick singer" thing we had a spat about a few weeks back. Some women don't mind calling themselves that, but when the guys who dominate a particular forum form a circle and all start tossing the term around, it creates a chilling effect. At least potentially, it risks driving away the few women who actually post here.
I realize I'm asking for something like superhuman self-control from you guys here, but I hoped, when I put this board into effect, that it would find a way of becoming a place where pretty much anybody could show up and be treated as a harp player, not--if they fall outside the straight male norm--material for a joke.
It's not about political correctness. It's about making an honest effort to keep this board a reasonably friendly and welcoming place for everybody--whites and blacks and Asians and straights and gays and (heck) transsexuals and whoever the hell else is genuinely interested in the harmonica.
Last Edited by on Apr 21, 2009 9:39 AM
First Andrew. You mention that "the average Japanese violinist" just goes "through the technical motions, not having any feeling for the music." You're very correct about that! There are many musicians who have fantastic techniques, but that is all. They lack the ability to really get deeply into the music and interpret. Unfortunately, it takes more than just a great technique. It takes both things to be a really great artist, and when you can really interpret beautifully, you can move people, and that's what it's all about.
Now in response to Adam, I would like to add that I always try to overlook anything like race or whether or not a person is straight. The performing arts profession is full of people who are not straight. It's always been that way, and that's okay. The thing that is important is the person and his/her goodness and their talent. The other things become very trivial. I haven't had a chance to check out Rachelle on youtube, but I will.
wow... i did not think my comment would have been angering everyone. im new to this forum and i was offering some insider info about a person you were asking for more info about. if you like it or not being a lesbian is a element that says who the person is. if someone asked me to give them all i know about jason amongst everything id say hes also a blues man who is gay. whats the problem?
the animosity is too much and im not sure if i will be back on this forum.
mrs. Christelle. i think your comparing yourself too much to rachelle. i know you want to be the best but competition is good and you should be proud of your fellow statesman ... who knows maybe you guys can hook up or something like that.
CaroyrnViolin im also a violin player and i agree very much with the statement you made ive seen many people like this.
"I suspect that Zhin has something to say about this. Zhin, how would you feel if this board contained a low-key but distinct thread of let's-make-fun-of-Asians?"
Adam, you've imposed a very interesting question which I actually would like to answer.
It's just common sense, don't start something that could get you in deep shit. Even if you didn't mean harm. A joke isn't a joke anymore when someone is hurt.
I think it's a lot like how black people can say "nigga" to each other but anyone else can't. It's not about double-standards or bias. It's simply because when a black person says it, YOU KNOW it's NOT meant to put another person down. In all probability it isn't. When someone who ISN'T black says it, NO ONE can be too sure. So why take the risk? The whole point of cracking a joke is to make people feel better or laugh. I must admit though, when I hear someone use the word "chink" I still cringe but I tolerate it. It just doesn't feel nice to hear it. So I refrain from calling my black friends "nigga" even if they call me one.
The intent is what should be brought into question. A few low-key jokes like Kung Fu related Chinese jokes are TOTALLY FINE and very entertaining even to me. Even the Calgon "ancient Chinese secret" is funny to me. Kung Fu Panda is one of my all-time favorite 3D animated feature films for now. :)
What truly offends me are things like bigotry, hate-mongering, lies, xenophobia, and racial supremacy. That's when it isn't a joke anymore. When the intent is just to make a select group to laugh and alienate/isolate everyone else, that's when it's shameful behavior. When it's to spread lies, fear, and hate...
Looking at how things are going on the forum I think some people are over-sensetive, some are just naive, and some are way over their heads.
(edited because i dont want to contribute to any lie)
People just need to remember that they are always RESPONSIBLE and ACCOUNTABLE for what they say in public.
---------- My Videos
Last Edited by on Apr 23, 2009 7:26 AM
I think you're all a bunch of idiots. Everybody needs to OWN who and what they are. If you can't do that then you're not being honest with yourself. And if you can't be honest with yourself than you have serious issues that not even I can help you with.
Rachelle is a lesbian Christelle is a lesbian Zhin has yellow skin and slanted eyes and a big mouth and ... Zack is a punk Adan needs a drink to play music Bluzadero is black dude who likes to swim I am a fat asshole Oda has issues telling the truth
YOU ARE WHAT YOU ARE. And let me explain something, Oda really is a liar, maybe not to you but he was to me and I caught him. Does it change what I think of him? NO. I just know more about him. Maybe he'll tell you and maybe he won't but I am still the same person and I will treat him the same way as I did before I discovered he lied to me repeatedly.
All a label is, is knowledge, it's a form of share who and what you are. Adam shares that he needs a drink to play well. Good for him, does it change who he is to me and the world? NO. If Adam is ashamed for his drinking or if Oda is ashamed of his lying or is Christelle is ashamed to be gay then that is their cross to carry. They are all the same people to me and I'm blessed to know something more about each and everyone of you.
"If this board were dominated by gay female harp players and discussions of the occasional white guy were threaded with comments about their skinny chests (or unattractively furry backs),"
You obviously don't belong to the same L-Word discussion forum as me!
"AND, in addition, if white guys were required to live in a world where that sort of stuff went on all the time--hell, most of you would get pissed off, too."
This is the important point, of course.
Let's quote Robert Wyatt: - "and as I'm free, white and twentyone, I don't need more power than I've got, except for sometimes, when I'm broke."
Last Edited by on Apr 21, 2009 11:31 PM
Zack, actually that's the first time I used that joke on you. I think you've mistaken me for someone else. It's too tempting I'm sure I'm not the first one. lol
I'm a bit surprised to get that response, Christelle. Perhaps it's because my post contained too much irony? Or perhaps you are being ironic, and I don't get it in turn.
In season 3 of the L-Word, Tina leaves Bette for Henry, the disgusting state of whose back (hairy and moley) was often commented upon by the Lesbian community ("he's got leprosy!"). So that part of my post was informed, but ironic.
I agreed with Adam's main point that straight white men don't know how well-off they are (what does the fish know about the water it swims in?).
And Robert Wyatt, apart from being a master of irony, expresses in his lyric the American social hierarchy (wealth, colour, freedom). The only bits missing are where women come into it, but since he's male, perhaps he has already taken that into account in singing about himself; and sexuality, which perhaps wasn't one of the main political issues in 1969 as it is now? But when pithiness is your main expressive vehicle, it's hard to be encyclopaedic.
So, all in all, I thought my post was OK.
Last Edited by on Apr 22, 2009 12:43 AM
Not a response to any particular comment, just my own thoughts on this:
There are two kinds of labels. Descriptive labels and power labels.
For instance...
"Take this up to Bob" "Who's Bob?" "You know the guy in Accounts with the glasses" "Glasses? isn't that John?" "No the other guy, friendly bloke, hangs around with Jeff." "Yeah that's John, the fat, bald bloke" "No, I mean Bob you must know him, funny guy, great sense of humour," "Oh you mean Robert, the guy in the wheelchair - why didn't you just say so?!"
In terms of a physical description there's nothing inherently wrong with saying someone uses a wheelchair. In an office full of ambulant people, picking it out as an easily identifiable trait isn't wrong. Still that doesn't stop people pussy footing around - scared to appear politically incorrect. It's a purely descriptive label. It doesn't impose any kind of judgement on the person described.
On the other hand if you're describing someone's personality, then it's probably not the best place to start. Perhaps not necessarily offensive, but not particularly sensitive.
Power labels are different.
"Take this up to Bob" "Who's Bob?" "You know that cripple in Accounts - I'd ask him to come down, but it'd take him so long to get down three flights of stairs. Waste of time employing guys like him if you ask me" "I didn't you asshole!"
Labels used in this way are dehumanising, they impose heirarchy and are value-laden. They reveal more about the person using them than the person they are being applied to. It is true that some have attempted to 'take back' the power, but that doesn't mean every black person is happy to be called a 'nigger' just as long as it's by another black person.
Intention is everything, but in an anonymous forum through the medium of the written word, a poster's intention can be lost or misinterpreted. There was no malice, or value judgement in cbone's post. Perhaps it was a little crass to mention that Rachelle's gay - especially since it has no bearing on playing harmonica, but then neither does being French. Noone took offense to that. The jokes on the other hand did cross the line and I can understand Christelle's discomfort. Humour is as often used to victimise as it is to entertain, look at how school kids use it to humiliate the children who don't fit in. It is the thin end of an ugly wedge.
I agree with Chris that we should be comfortable with who we are, but that's only half the story. 6 million people were once comfortable with their religious beliefs, but that did not save them from genocide driven by intolerance and prejudice.
We should be comfortable with what other people are too.
Hate crime is still very much a reality in our world, no matter how much more liberal a society we pretend we have become.
If another forum member revealed they were a wheelchair user, would that mean that cripple jokes would suddenly be acceptable?
Last Edited by on Apr 22, 2009 3:11 AM
those top two doughnuts are creepily shiny... doughnuts aren't supposed to be that shiny... ---------- "Without music, life would be a mistake" -Nietzsche
Je sors de l'école du Souffle du Blues à L'Utopia (Paris, France), dont le président est Jean-Jacques Milteau et mon seul professeur est le renommé Greg Zlap.
Au passage, JE NE SUIS PAS LESBIENNE ! ! !
Tout cela pour dire que je ne connais ABSOLUMENT PAS personnellement Mister cbone-talker . Comme il l'a prétendu ! ! !
Peut-être que maintenant vous n'allez plus aimer ma musique...ou le contraire... ;o)) LOL !
Amicalement.
Rachelle Plas.
Mon website officiel est : www.myspace.com/rachelleplas
English version :
Hi guys,
I come from the Souffle du Blues school at Utopia (Paris, France), the president is Jean-Jacques Milteau and my only teacher is the famous Greg Zlap.
By the way, I'M NOT LESBIAN ! ! !
Other thing, I don't ABSOLUTELY know personally Mister cbone-talker . Unlike he wrote it in his message ! ! !
Now, perhaps you will not be fond of my music again...or you will be fond of my music more... ;o)) LOL ! ! !
In a friendly way.
Rachelle Plas.
My official website is : www.myspace.com/rachelleplas
