I liked the first one..haven't seen the second one. I like variety in any instrument..versatility. My son plays guitar and said.."Is that ALL harmonica?" referring to what he thought was wailing guitar or synth. He liked it too. The harp stuff was in there...nothing warbles like a harp, even when effects smoothe it some. I liked it.
Electronics didn't exactly kill the guitar. The horizons of guitar were GREATLY expanded by electronics, and accoustic guitar certainly still has it's place. I feel electronics has it's place with harmonica, as well, though not as extensively.
Different strokes for different folks... I have been watching Hakan for some time now and he definitely gets a thumbs up from me on "Paranoid"' "Iron man", "Spoonful", and all the rock and 'envelope- pushing' tones that He has brought to light. IMO, there is not enough of this out there. I, for one, have armed myself of late with a few of the tools needed to produce 'new' sounds from the harp. Woodshedding has taken on a new feeling around my house. Face it, the 'Chicago' sound is being been done (and perfected) by countless players. Not that there's anything wrong with that... That amplified, 'trumpet mimicking' tone was,at one time, a huge departure from the 'traditional' harmonica sound. Just as when the guitar went electric or when Moog invented his device.
The 'new' sounds coming from the harp represent, to me, the march of the instrument into the future. People like Howard, Michelek, Adam, Jason, and yes, Popper, have all contributed and helped open the door for these changes. Music itself is an evolution. A medium constantly in change, a dynamic and living entity, if you will.
True, no one has to like it and everyone has their own opinion, but color me encouraged and kudos to you Hakan, and all the others paving the way for tomorrow's harp sound.
Also, Hakan, thanks for that last video... A ~first~ foray into the YT Harp/ comedy genre? Rubbing elbows with Greats like Hobostubs & Jonsparrow.
Last Edited by on Dec 29, 2009 3:02 PM
I definitely love the concept of doing hard rock stuff on the harp. I'm totally inspired, i've been working on some rock harp as well...
The one thing I think that would've taken this over the top would've been to perhaps get the main rhythmic chug in a loop since you're going to effects anyway and then you could do a slightly cleaner tone to do the arpeggiated solo, which I think is so critical to the impact of the song.
