A couple weeks ago, I spent a few minutes watching a band. Nothing big, just a few old-time amateurs playing oldies. But they did a workmanlike job of jamming threw some familiar tunes.
Anyhow, during a few of the tunes the keyboard player broke out the headset out with the harmonica. Not the sexiest of looks, but it did serve as a wake up call.
Sitting there, I realized nothing quite tugs at the mind like a slow, steady harmonica solo. I think it springs memories for everyone. Especially those who grew up listening to classic rock.
So many of the greats used it frequently. Bob Dylan, Neil Young. Johnny Cash. The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith. Tom Waits. And so on down the list.
So I guess, my question is where did the harmonica go? I can't think of the last new act (at least outside of country songs) that use it even passingly. Maybe I am ignorant to a song or band that have hit the charts lately with a harmonica featured in their songs, but I don't think so. it's almost like this effective instrument has been lost in the jam of synthesizers, beat boards and mixing machines.
I hope not, it still has it place in the grand sound of American rock music.
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1 comment:
I agree. The mouth organ has gone the way of the banjo. The most recent band I remember is Blues Traveler and that isn't really recent at all anymore. I think most people don't go that route for what you said, it isn't a sexy look. But I always enjoyed when they got out the small mic to use two hands and blow like crazy!
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