I was going to post this in Buddha's 'Greatness' thread, but again I didn't want to threadjack...
I was thinking about the comment Walterharp made about Jason Ricci and Howard Levy and it got me thinking.
Mostly when people reference Levy it is in regard to technical ability, yet his music itself rarely gets discussed. Why do you think this is, is it because it isn't (always) blues?
It's a good question. I don't know why, really. At the risk of putting me at odds with you again (since I don't know how you feel about Levy)I will say that I don't care for a lot of his music. I'd much rather listen to Little Walter, Adam, Jason Ricci or Magic Dick, even though I admire Levy's technical mastery of the instrument.
I feel the same way about John Popper. I think it was Run Around came on the radio the other day. I remember thinking "that's amazing", but you'd never catch me selecting that song on the juke box at my favorite pub.
Last Edited by on Jan 11, 2010 11:39 AM
I agree with H.O.B. on this one. I like Howard Levy's work with the Flecktones, but his solo stuff doesn't really move me in terms of sound. Now, when I hear him play and give it a good listen, I'm blown away every time by how he plays using such difficult techniques so effortlessly. Honestly, the fact that he can play songs in all 12 keys on a C harmonica REALLY REALLY WELL astounds me. I just don't think it's the best treatment for some of those keys.
Popper...eh. His sound really just doesn't do it for me. Yeah, he's got a mastery of the instrument, and I'm not knocking that in the slightest, but I'd take Jason Ricci over him any day.
I think he's great because he can do absolutely anything he wants at will on the harp. For anybody on the forum who can also do that, I also think you are great. I watched Buddha's 11th position youtube video for the first time the other day. I think it is great too. I still have many more Gussow videos than anyone else's and think he's great. I salute all the technical masters of the harmonica! Well done! These folks give me goals.
I don't doubt that he's great, but why do his actual recorded works get so little mention. Is it too inaccessible? Is it not a genre that people like? On the rare occasion that a clip is posted of him playing, it's usually to highlight something technical.
I think HOBs answer is the key to why his music rarely gets discussed... because most harmonica players of the blues variety never really open their ears enough to give his music a good listen through.
A lot of his compositions are really awesome. His music spans almost the entire spectrum of portraits and emotions. His music can be moving and sublime, humorous, imaginative, cerebral, illustrative, you name it. Not to mention that he has explored and can play with authority a wide variety of different musical styles that span the globe.
It probably never gets discussed around here though because within the first few threads harpers are already expressing their dislike for his music.
My question is why do ignorant harmonica players always feel the need to express their dislike for him. Why don't they just STFU and leave these threads for the fans. ---------- http://www.youtube.com/user/asilve3
A lot of his music isn't in accessible, and often times he is recognized for his performances. However, he is still pretty obscure. He does get national radio air time on NPR so a lot of people hear him that way. And he keep releasing albums so people must be buying them! But this is a blues forum and he plays jazz so ya know this just isn't the place for him. ---------- http://www.youtube.com/user/asilve3
the only thing ive heard besides his name mentioned so many times was the utube where he plays the c harp 12 keys and thought wow,I loved the world range of music he did with just that video,next time i buy some downloads of great harp players hes definetly on my list as one of the 1st to get,But then again i love all kinds of music any kind, blues or not if it touches my soul.
I'm going with H.O.B. here. I will say, though, asilve3, that I don't see anyone on this thread fufilling some need to bash Howard Levy. Truth be told, I've never actually known any harp players who bashed Howard.
HOB, please don't take that statement personally as it certainly was not meant as a jab at you.
However, I would say that you hardly answered the question. This is why I referenced your post. Because instead of offering an answer you just say that you don't like his music and admire his technical ability which is just a reiteration of the point MyVeryLongUsermane is making. ---------- http://www.youtube.com/user/asilve3
I really like Howard's music. I have two of his latest CDs and really enjoy both. He does more blues then you'd believe. They aren't really down south dirty blues but they are blues. I think a lot of times people point out his international music & the technique and theory required to do that. While it's impressive I think this is where he's hit and miss with the American audiences. I certainly don't like every international thing he plays into his mug.
Most importantly we need to keep in mind everyone is going to have their own opinion of what is good music. I think that's why so many discuss his technique, not everyone will enjoy his wide array of music composition but everyone can probably agree upon the technique & theory to be able to do so.
I highly recommend Howard Levy's Cd Alone and Together you can pick it up from CDBaby ;-) .
---------- ~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Stephen Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
I actually wonder if his reputation for inaccessibility is simply repeated by people who have not tried accessing it!
I've not heard anything so far that I would consider inaccessible - but then again I have pretty broad tastes and like a lot of world music.
Last Edited by on Jan 11, 2010 1:24 PM
good point. I have mentioned many times here how I didn't know who ANYBODY in the harmonica world was until last year. I don't live in a vacuum, but concerning Harmonica I did. Harmonica has always been a "Wow, how did he /she figure that out" kind of instrument that I would pick up, try what I heard, get dicouraged and put it in the drawer until the next time somebody wow'd me again.
I suspect the world at large followed this pattern until the internet came along.
Mr.V: I'll be the first to admit that world music just isn't my thing. I can enjoy it from time to time, but it's not a go-to music style for me. I dunno about 'inaccessible,' though. I have no doubt that Mr Levy's reputation gets parroted around, just like everything else. Dogs can look up, lemmings don't hurl themselves off cliffs, and you won't get cramps if you go swimming right after you eat.
I like world music because of my percussion background and darbuka/djembe experience. I have always wanted tabla, but never got around to it. Even so, No Howard levy until 2009...lol. I am really glad i am learning the harmonica.
Last Edited by on Jan 11, 2010 1:55 PM
"I actually wonder if his reputation for inaccessibility is simply repeated by people who have not tried accessing it."
Another great point Mr.V. For the record I've listened to some of his music and decided that it wasn't for me. I guess I'm ignorant in some people's eyes because I haven't sampled his entire catalogue to see if there isn't a single song in it that he does that I like. Or maybe because generally speaking I'm not a jazz fan.
I'd like to know where it's written that because one's musical tastes are narrower than average it means you're ignorant. BTW I've never said his music isn't accessible, and I acknowledged right up front that I didn't know why the technical praise v. music phenomena re: levy happens.
But the isssue begs the question: How much of an artists work do you have to experience to draw a conclusion for YOURSELF. If you listen to 10..15 of someone's songs via the internet and decide you don't like their music..have you not tried to "access" them? Do you have to listen to the entire catalogue before you make your decision?
Just askin ;-)
Note: on the emoticons (that's the right term no?) I've always hated them, but i'm gonna start using them too, because I realize now that so much tone is lost in the written word. The last thing i want to be accused of is violating my new Buddhist principles.
I am really glad i have xm radio and BB king's bluesville. I'm finding out I like the blues in a lot of different forms. I have no samle size. I retain some of the notable names, others reappear and i go..Oh yeah..that guy..or that gal. I find myself trying to guess who it is when i here the intro if there is one, based on the guitar or harp solo. I guess for me, it doesn't matter who they are if it's well done. I haven't bought many cds since the internet and xm radio. I would like to have the Chicago harmonica project, but never remember to get it...lol. I think when I hit 50, I let go of many things, many limitations, many requirements. I love music and playing out. Threads like this one are cool to see how others feel about these things.
You can listen to 1 second of an artist and draw a conclusion. You can form an opinion whenever or however you choose. But if you only listen to couple of songs I would say that would make you ignorant on the subject of that artist...
"i think when I hit 50, i let go of many things, many limitations, many requirements."
I LOVE that line.
It's true of me as well. Musically, it manifested itself in two ways: 1) try to learn how to play harp and guitar..even though for most of my life i never thought i had any talent for learning an instrument..2) don't spend time trying to force yourself to like something you don't, just because it would make you seem more well rounded or hip. i'll listen to anything once...but if i listen to a musical style a few times and it just doesn't grab me...i don't over think it.
I am what I am.
Last Edited by on Jan 11, 2010 2:28 PM
Well I haven't listened to his whole catalogue, I have both his DVDs and a few Flecktone albums. The thing that strikes me most is the sheer diversity of his material.
I think there's a difference between 'inaccessible to me' and 'not to my taste'.
To me me the word 'inaccessible' conjurs up something that is (in my opinion) over-intellectualised, elitist and self-absorbed; obsessed with its own technicality using it as a barrier to separate the 'enlightened few' from the 'ignorant masses'. I recall vividly seeing British jazzer Django Bates in concert and diving for the exit pretty sharpish at the first opportunity. I just didn't get it.
I don't think Howard fits that mould. However I believe that the constant focus on his technicality has led some people to assume that it does without giving it a chance.
Accessibility/inaccessibility, like/dislike - it's all about individuality really isn't it. :-)
Last Edited by on Jan 11, 2010 2:19 PM
When I hit 30 I noticed that I'd starting listening to stuff I wouldn't have dreamed of listening to at 20. Rod Stewart and Country music to name but two.
I wonder what will happen next week when I hit the big four oh.
I've known Howard Levy well before I started considering playing harp. But I must admit that he pretty much belongs to Harmonica Players Ltd.® And that's a shame because he is definitely an exceptionaly good musician (and plays piano nicely too). Maybe he suffers an image deficit, beeing taken by many for a circus freak, the guy who cracked the first overblow, the guy who can play harp in a manner that it wasn't meant for. I really like his work with Rabih Abou-Khalil, mainly because I find this music much more interesting that Bela Flecks' (fire the scuds here). And to me, that's a great achievement in muscianship to be able to play "second fiddle" that cleverly. Knowing that there are still musicians like him, never cashing on his brand, always in places he's not expected, is a soothing thought. As harp playing goes, he is definitely a model for many, but I still have to hear someone using his technique and able to produce that quality of tone and phrasing (Sebastien Charlier aside).
Mr.V Great point on the definition of inaccessibilty. I clearly did not understand you. Given your definition I have no sufficient frame of reference to have an opinion one way or the other re: Levy and inaccessibility.
In simpler language...when I realized his music wasn't for me...I never tried to analyze why.
i never much liked the music i heard from him but i always admired what he has achieved with the harp. i still went to see him about a year ago. the dude blew me away! not enough to buy any of his stuff but to see him again if the opportunity arises.
His tone is magnificent. His speed and mechanics and accuracy are amazing. Watching him play, you get a real sense of his passion about this simple instrument while himself being a very accomplished musician with other instruments. Perhaps we like what we can relate to and we like what we can emulate. He is pretty amazing, as is Ricci and Sensei Gussow, but I relate more to what Adam plays than Howard.
This is probably a little off topic, but awhile back there was some arguing over a video of Howard playing blues. A lot of people disliked it because they didn't think it had any "feeling" to it, and didn't think it was very bluesy. I disagree with that but I also don't think it was the best example of Howard playing bluesy music. I think Howard is more than capable of playing great blues as well as other music that more blues oriented players can relate to. I think some people may hear one or two things from him that they dislike and they immediately write him off without giving any of his other music a chance. Here's a clip of Howard some great bluesy music, there are a couple parts where he gets kind of "jazzy" but it fits the song, and I think most will like it:
There are also a couple of clips of Howard playing some traditional sounding blues in the preview for his "Out Of The Box" DVD. From :57 to 1:18 he plays great sounding Bb blues in 11th postion. Then from 3:51 to the end of the video he plays a blues in first position and concetrates quite a bit on the middle register. Both the songs show him playing in a very bluesy style. I don't understand how anyone could ssee it and still say Howard can't play blues. BTW, if you haven't already seen this clip you should watch the whole thing, it has clips of a lot of great stuff.
