I actually agree with both sides. It takes Howard about two minutes to get rolling. Until that point, technique predominates over feeling and melodic imagination. Then he does get rolling, creating, and he's outstanding. I happen to love jazz and experimentation and of course I know--as we hopefully all know--that Howard is one of those once-every-few-generations talents on this particular instrument.
I think Howard is a perfect example of complete knowledge of music theory in use when improvising as shown on this vid. Here, due to his outstanding reputation for being a technique and Jazz master, I think he finds himself in the need of showing everybody his Jazz and technique skills rather than playing a simple but real Blues from the heart.
Howard is in best harmonica player I have ever heard. In my opinion this playing is very soulful...maybe his soul is just moving a little faster than most! I have heard Howard play many different styles of music...it is mind blowing to me what he can pull off with a 10 hole diatonic harmonica...it is the equivalent of playing a guitar with only 20 notes. I heard him on a segment of Prairie Home Companion on NPR that showcased him play like 10 different styles in 2 minutes...amazing!!!
Sometimes the very enthusiastic praise of Levy makes me want to take a contrary position, but he's a peerless innovator and more importantly plays great music.
It's significant that your yardstick is technique. What made Little Walter & Sonny Boy endure for 50 years are qualities like expression, tone, emotion, TASTE. Musicality. Alas, I won't be around in 50 years to see if HL is considered the gold standard that they've been for the past 50. Or if he'll just forever be remembered as "Inventor Of The Overblow." (BTW, Levy did not invent the overblow; tho was probably the first to incorporate it to any significant extent. For what it's worth.)
Blues Birdhead holds the first recorded overblow in 1927 or 1929 (depending on the source), but Howard, as far as I know, is really the first person to flesh out the technique and popularize it in a diatonic harp player's standard arsenal. Until Howard
Howard Levy plays soulfoul here and with emotions - I don't deny this fact. But I know that this is not the deep Blues where skills is just a means to convey feelings and a message. I'm just talking about this special video. This is Jazz, maybe Jazz Blues showing "intervallic designs", jazz runs, played by a Jazz Master and Harmonica Master but not deep blues.
There's something to be said for saying more with less. No one has ever surpassed Little Walter or Sonny Boy II, and they didn't really play very many notes. And it's not like they didn't have technique. It's like the difference between a good soul singer (like Sam Cooke, a minimalist by today's standard) and someone on 'American Idol' throwing every pyrotechnic, gymnastic move into every phrase. Howard has incredible technique. What he chooses to do with it is something that doesn't move me.
this performance encapsulates more complex emotions than any blue piece from the 40's or 50's. Maybe if Howard Levy had been an oppressed and impoverished African American born in in the first half of the 20th century he would express himself more so in the manner of Little Walter and Slim Harpo. Instead of trying to feign faux-inspiration from a lifestyle he never experienced he expresses himself in a way more reflective of the life he lives. Being yourself, now thats how you play the blues!
I'm with you on more is less argument. It has some validity, but it gets overstated usually by those who lack the technical ability demonstrated. I saw the same criticism of a very fast trombone player. It shouldn't be a senseless technical display, it needs to be musical, and it certainly is here. If one doesn't care for it, that is a matter of personal taste. Thanks for sharing this video.
People who think that playing lot of notes don't play meaningful, know little about music and meaning. And are losing the oportunity of enjoy different expressions, only because prejudice. Levy is a great and meaningful musician and harp player. No need for comparing him with others, despite how many note any of them plays.
I have'nt heard anybody use overblow before Howard first came op with it. But if you would name a cd or something, before howard, were there is a harpplayer that uses it i would be happy to hear it. I think that Howard masters both all those qualities to perfection! Little Walter and Sonny Boy were great pioneers of the harmonica, and they should be remembered for that, but playingwise they were not even close to Howard Leavy, Carlos Del Junco, Little John Chrisley, that's my opinion.
I think he's really funky on the tune "born in rochester", i am very inspired by him in my playing.. but he's not really funky on the other tracks, so i guess he's not really funky in generel :D
Why attempt to knock an innovator and his skills. It's senseless to question his gift and soul on the Harmonica. No one has deconstructed the instrument and has brought new diatonic expressions like Howard, Carlos and Jason. Looking forward to your release Chris.
I love Howard but to me his style lends itself more to Jazz which is where he took his skills essentially. Didn't Les Paul say the right note played once sounds better than 20 notes played in the same amount of time or something like that. I agree let's push the envelope but also lets not forget the simplicity and simple things like the pause to enhance music too. In my opinion (which is what it is) the harmonica is to busy on this song sometimes.
The only possible issue with Levy has nothing to do with him. The thing is, a lot of his followers praise him OVER other people's favorite artists. That can annoy those people and make them respond about Levy, when they in fact have an issue with how he's being presented by others. If he presents himself as "better" than Cotton, for instance (which I strongly doubt), only then is there an issue. It's art, so the question is moot.
Howard invented the overblow!! Even if he played like shit, he would still be fantastic! But he dose'nt play like shit. He plays stunning! and Little Walter and Sonny did'nt have the techique to do something anywere near this, simply because overblow was'nt invented in there time! I think Howard is light years ahead of Walter and Sonny!
"blues" Never trust a guy playing "blues" that keeps his eyes that wide open during a set. Way too militant for blues. He's more concerned about the crowd reaction to his perfect playing than he is to what he is playing. God complex?
Levy is the best... Never heard anyone that can do what he does.
I actually agree with both sides. It takes Howard about two minutes to get rolling. Until that point, technique predominates over feeling and melodic imagination. Then he does get rolling, creating, and he's outstanding. I happen to love jazz and experimentation and of course I know--as we hopefully all know--that Howard is one of those once-every-few-generations talents on this particular instrument.
wow, i love this guy
This is amazing! I had no idea he played Blues!!
I think Howard is a perfect example of complete knowledge of music theory in use when improvising as shown on this vid. Here, due to his outstanding reputation for being a technique and Jazz master, I think he finds himself in the need of showing everybody his Jazz and technique skills rather than playing a simple but real Blues from the heart.
Great.
Man this dude always breaks down the walls of limitations on the instrument!!
Howard is in best harmonica player I have ever heard. In my opinion this playing is very soulful...maybe his soul is just moving a little faster than most! I have heard Howard play many different styles of music...it is mind blowing to me what he can pull off with a 10 hole diatonic harmonica...it is the equivalent of playing a guitar with only 20 notes. I heard him on a segment of Prairie Home Companion on NPR that showcased him play like 10 different styles in 2 minutes...amazing!!!
Sometimes the very enthusiastic praise of Levy makes me want to take a contrary position, but he's a peerless innovator and more importantly plays great music.
cool thans chris!!!
It's significant that your yardstick is technique. What made Little Walter & Sonny Boy endure for 50 years are qualities like expression, tone, emotion, TASTE. Musicality. Alas, I won't be around in 50 years to see if HL is considered the gold standard that they've been for the past 50. Or if he'll just forever be remembered as "Inventor Of The Overblow." (BTW, Levy did not invent the overblow; tho was probably the first to incorporate it to any significant extent. For what it's worth.)
I don't know if you'll see this reply, but I like your comment. Musically it makes a lot of sense. Thanks.
my harp is considering to leave me right now. thanks howard.
Blues Birdhead holds the first recorded overblow in 1927 or 1929 (depending on the source), but Howard, as far as I know, is really the first person to flesh out the technique and popularize it in a diatonic harp player's standard arsenal. Until Howard
Howard Levy plays soulfoul here and with emotions - I don't deny this fact. But I know that this is not the deep Blues where skills is just a means to convey feelings and a message. I'm just talking about this special video. This is Jazz, maybe Jazz Blues showing "intervallic designs", jazz runs, played by a Jazz Master and Harmonica Master but not deep blues.
There's something to be said for saying more with less. No one has ever surpassed Little Walter or Sonny Boy II, and they didn't really play very many notes. And it's not like they didn't have technique. It's like the difference between a good soul singer (like Sam Cooke, a minimalist by today's standard) and someone on 'American Idol' throwing every pyrotechnic, gymnastic move into every phrase. Howard has incredible technique. What he chooses to do with it is something that doesn't move me.
this performance encapsulates more complex emotions than any blue piece from the 40's or 50's. Maybe if Howard Levy had been an oppressed and impoverished African American born in in the first half of the 20th century he would express himself more so in the manner of Little Walter and Slim Harpo. Instead of trying to feign faux-inspiration from a lifestyle he never experienced he expresses himself in a way more reflective of the life he lives. Being yourself, now thats how you play the blues!
Howard is the best diatonic player since Paul Butterfield.Brilliant.
I'm with you on more is less argument. It has some validity, but it gets overstated usually by those who lack the technical ability demonstrated. I saw the same criticism of a very fast trombone player. It shouldn't be a senseless technical display, it needs to be musical, and it certainly is here. If one doesn't care for it, that is a matter of personal taste. Thanks for sharing this video.
People who think that playing lot of notes don't play meaningful, know little about music and meaning.
And are losing the oportunity of enjoy different expressions, only because prejudice.
Levy is a great and meaningful musician and harp player. No need for comparing him with others, despite how many note any of them plays.
Franck Dia delma C'est beaucoup inspiré d'Howard levy!!!!
I have'nt heard anybody use overblow before Howard first came op with it. But if you would name a cd or something, before howard, were there is a harpplayer that uses it i would be happy to hear it. I think that Howard masters both all those qualities to perfection! Little Walter and Sonny Boy were great pioneers of the harmonica, and they should be remembered for that, but playingwise they were not even close to Howard Leavy, Carlos Del Junco, Little John Chrisley, that's my opinion.
No, Little John Chrisley is not an overblower, but i think he's insanly funky! :D
@chrismichalek Sonny boy Williamson, Jimmy Reed
@lublingua I think Jason Ricci comes close but looks like he has issues that might take him down.
Three full octaves is 36 notes (12 per octave), isn't it?
I think he's really funky on the tune "born in rochester", i am very inspired by him in my playing.. but he's not really funky on the other tracks, so i guess he's not really funky in generel :D
Why attempt to knock an innovator and his skills. It's senseless to question his gift and soul on the Harmonica. No one has deconstructed the instrument and has brought new diatonic expressions like Howard, Carlos and Jason.
Looking forward to your release Chris.
I love Howard but to me his style lends itself more to Jazz which is where he took his skills essentially. Didn't Les Paul say the right note played once sounds better than 20 notes played in the same amount of time or something like that. I agree let's push the envelope but also lets not forget the simplicity and simple things like the pause to enhance music too. In my opinion (which is what it is) the harmonica is to busy on this song sometimes.
The "H" in "Jesus H Christ" stands for Howard.
The only possible issue with Levy has nothing to do with him. The thing is, a lot of his followers praise him OVER other people's favorite artists. That can annoy those people and make them respond about Levy, when they in fact have an issue with how he's being presented by others. If he presents himself as "better" than Cotton, for instance (which I strongly doubt), only then is there an issue. It's art, so the question is moot.
Howard invented the overblow!! Even if he played like shit, he would still be fantastic! But he dose'nt play like shit. He plays stunning! and Little Walter and Sonny did'nt have the techique to do something anywere near this, simply because overblow was'nt invented in there time! I think Howard is light years ahead of Walter and Sonny!
virtuosity has no real meaning in Blues
"blues" Never trust a guy playing "blues" that keeps his eyes that wide open during a set. Way too militant for blues. He's more concerned about the crowd reaction to his perfect playing than he is to what he is playing. God complex?