Sunday, October 22, 2006
The Bluesman's comeback
Wow! I just heard from Clarence first hand: his band finally won the blues competition after 4 years of trying. The mundane thing to say is: Clarence's finally got his due. I regret I wasn't part of it and wasn't there to share the joy. But then again, if I were in the band, I don't think the band would've won due to the complicated racial politics in the blues in DC/Baltimore. Well, the two times I backed Clarence in a blues competition, he lost, twice, the second time even at the bottom of the scale, according to Bob Sekinger of the Baltimore Blues Society.
Well, sometimes you have to wait for justice. Think of great people like Thomas Jefferson or Abe Lincoln. The revolution is over. Now we go back to playing the blues.
Most of all, I'm happy for Clarence. I'm so happy for Clarence that I place all my other emotions aside. Clarence deserved to win. He deserved to win four years ago and every time, even in Rosedale. Clarence deserved to win because he understands the blues. He sings and plays in the blues language and feeling. He lives the blues! That's what he is. The real deal.
I was fortunate that Clarence chose me as his harp player after his many years with two of the best harp players in the area, Stephane Themeze and Larry Tapper, respectively. They were hard shoes to fill, but I managed and developed a name for myself (albeit rather notoriously). I got to get up to the top and played with some great names in the blues. All of that was because of Clarence. A big thanks to Clarence for making me the harp player and person I am today.
I learned a lot about the harsh reality by playing the blues. And I learned that it's more valuable to overcome life's obstables than simply to live a life with no excitment or highlights. My life is always full of excitement and surprises. I've had ups and downs and hard times, the blues has taught me to be patient and forgiving.
Clarence has always been patient and forgiving. His patience and forgiveness have paid off handsomely. He not only won the title, he also won his dignity and respect. Well, he earned my respect a long time ago. Clarence once said, "I've learned, over time, some things are best left unsaid." That is Clarence's philosophy and is way of life. It's a very intelligent way to live.
Today I celebrate this day because Clarence won the blues competition. One of the fairest results in recent years, including the U.S. President elections.
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Well, sometimes you have to wait for justice. Think of great people like Thomas Jefferson or Abe Lincoln. The revolution is over. Now we go back to playing the blues.
Most of all, I'm happy for Clarence. I'm so happy for Clarence that I place all my other emotions aside. Clarence deserved to win. He deserved to win four years ago and every time, even in Rosedale. Clarence deserved to win because he understands the blues. He sings and plays in the blues language and feeling. He lives the blues! That's what he is. The real deal.
I was fortunate that Clarence chose me as his harp player after his many years with two of the best harp players in the area, Stephane Themeze and Larry Tapper, respectively. They were hard shoes to fill, but I managed and developed a name for myself (albeit rather notoriously). I got to get up to the top and played with some great names in the blues. All of that was because of Clarence. A big thanks to Clarence for making me the harp player and person I am today.
I learned a lot about the harsh reality by playing the blues. And I learned that it's more valuable to overcome life's obstables than simply to live a life with no excitment or highlights. My life is always full of excitement and surprises. I've had ups and downs and hard times, the blues has taught me to be patient and forgiving.
Clarence has always been patient and forgiving. His patience and forgiveness have paid off handsomely. He not only won the title, he also won his dignity and respect. Well, he earned my respect a long time ago. Clarence once said, "I've learned, over time, some things are best left unsaid." That is Clarence's philosophy and is way of life. It's a very intelligent way to live.
Today I celebrate this day because Clarence won the blues competition. One of the fairest results in recent years, including the U.S. President elections.
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