From: Public Defender Date: Mon, 08 Jul 1996 10:12:34 -0700 Subject: Re: Pucker etc.
Charlie Musselwhite and his band played here (Eugene Or) on the 5th. Said he plays "exclusively" LO's. He played through a medium sized Fender amp mic'd to the pa - sounded great. I told him that I caught his date because I'd seen it on the artist itinerary on the list - he said he'd never heard of either. I don't know - and am not sophisticated enough to tell by listening - if he tounge blocks or puckers or both but I can tell you that he has big loud tone just dominates the band (of course he's supposed to). His cup was interesting in that he used the index and middle fingers of his right hand - held straight - for hand vibrato . He played most everything very clean - not a lot of vibrato and I didn't notice any octave playing (but I probably just missed it). Junior Wells was in town the same night but having to choose I chose Musslewhite. On another note, I was pleased that the band was performing to the audience along with Musslewhite. At least trying to show they were having fun - no hint of boredom (except when the keyboard player started messing with his hand exercise ball near the end). A few months ago James Cotton played here and his guitar player spent the whole gig (except when soloing) talking to the sound guy off stage, messing with the knobs on his guitar or playing with the knobs on his rack. As an audience member I found this very annoying. Whether intended or not it communicated to me that this was a rehearsal that we just got to listen to. I understand Mike Bloomfield used to play whole gigs looking away from the audience with the Butterfield band. What's going on here? Is this the way you pro's on the list give a show?
