I'm sorry, but I can't assist with that request..
Jim Clash: What made you focus on harp rather than say, trumpet or sax?
The duo released a unique remake of James Brown s Papa s Got A Brand New Bag and later this month will tour on the Legendary Rhythm Blues Cruise with acts including Buddy Guy and Allen Toussaint. If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we ll take care of it shortly.
.
J. Geils Harp Legend 'Magic Dick' On Why He Never Lost His Magic
Dick Salwitz, known internationally to music fans as Magic Dick, is one of the most celebrated harmonica players of modern time. He just finished touring with his mates from The J. Geils Band, rocking crowds with favorites like Centerfold, a No. 1 hit from the early 1980s, and Whammer Jammer, a tune which features a blistering Salwitz on harp.
Salwitz also performs a more unplugged kind of live gig with celebrated acoustic guitarist Shun Ng, 25 (www.shunng.com). The duo released a unique remake of James Brown's Papa's Got A Brand New Bag and later this month will tour on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise with acts including Buddy Guy and Allen Toussaint.
I recently posed a series of questions to Salwitz, now 70, about his career. Sarcastic humor is evident in his responses, as is an ongoing passion for his craft.
Jim Clash: What made you focus on harp rather than say, trumpet or sax?
Dick Salwitz: I love the unique sound of the harp and how it can mimic the expression and tonal palette of both the sax and the trumpet, and the voice. Ever since beginning to play the trumpet at nine years old, I've been interested in all the horns. But the fact that you can engulf the harp and the microphone with your hands and shape its tone is the reason for my focus on it. It's become a sonic and tactile fixation, yielding a mental universe of associations of shapes and tones. Put simply, it makes me happy!
Dick Salwitz (aka "Magic Dick", left) still tours with J. Geils Band, but he also plays a . [+] stripped-down format with acoustic guitarist Shun Ng. (Photo courtesy of Dick Salwitz)
JC: A Rolling Stone critic once called you the "best white musician to play blues harmonica."
DS: I've always found that listening to such pronouncements takes me off my game. It is better to seriously address my own criticisms of my playing. I am my daily critic and coach.
JC: What did you think of Cream's late Jack Bruce as a harp player?
DS: I really liked Jack Bruce's bass playing and vocals. He was a competent harp player, but he did not influence my harp playing.
JC: How about a crazy story from the old J. Geils touring days?
DS: One Halloween in the early '70's somewhere in Canada, we thought we'd have some fun when we came out on stage to start our show. Our drummer, Stephen Jo Bladd, had a gorilla mask on and the rest of us had on old-man masks. We figured this would get a great laugh. We were met with silence.
JC: Contrast an acoustic performance with Shun Ng to one of The J. Geils Band.
DS: The musical experience with Shun Ng is very fresh, exciting and challenging. Each day we get together brings so much spontaneous playing and new ideas. With The J. Geils Band, my musical role is more narrowly defined.
JC: Do you watch America's Got Talent and such shows, and what do you think of them?
DS: Talent is everywhere. As a harp player, I don't have time to spend this way. Maybe I should watch these.
JC: Your advice to young aspiring musicians?
DS: Listen, and practice all the time. Do whatever it takes to stay strongly attracted to playing the harp. Be honestly critical. Use your imagination to advance your technique and improve your sound.
JC: Do you ever get tired of playing Whammer Jammer? How many times do you think you've played it?
DS: It's a constant source of stress, but it helps to keep my playing honed. I've performed it at every show I've played. My guess would be thousands of times not counting my own practicing. I still love it, and I'm working on improving it!
JC: Your best experience playing with an old-time blues musician?
DS: Jamming with John Lee Hooker was especially thrilling. This was around 1970 in Boston at a club called the Jazz Workshop. John Lee played mostly on one chord and, when he did change, it was not according to a standard formula like a lot of blues. This made accompanying him more difficult. One of the hallmarks of a great player is to be able to continually invent without relying on chord changes to carry interest. This is something I'm still working on.
JC: You have an interest in physics. Do you keep up with what's happening in the field?
DS: My interest in physics is cosmology and quantum mechanics. I'm grateful for a never-ending attraction to these matters. The connectedness of all things physical and spiritual is astounding.
DS: My interest in physics is cosmology and quantum mechanics. I'm grateful for a never-ending attraction to these matters. The connectedness of all things physical and spiritual is astounding.
.
Reviews for "The Impact of Pornography on Perceptions of a Mafic Dick"
1. Amanda - 2/5 stars
"I found 'I Got a Magic Dick' to be quite disappointing. The storyline lacked depth and seemed to rely heavily on crude humor and shock value. The characters were one-dimensional and unrelatable, making it difficult to invest in their journey. Additionally, the writing style felt juvenile, with repetitive jokes and excessive profanity that added little substance to the plot. Overall, I was left unimpressed and would not recommend this book to others looking for a meaningful or engaging read."
2. Michael - 1/5 stars
"I regret picking up 'I Got a Magic Dick' - it was a complete waste of my time. The book tried too hard to be funny and ended up being crass and tasteless. The narrative lacked coherence, jumping from one bizarre scenario to another without any logical flow. The constant reliance on explicit content and cheap humor overshadowed any potential for a meaningful story. Honestly, I couldn't find anything redeeming about this book and would strongly advise others to steer clear of it."
3. Rachel - 2/5 stars
"'I Got a Magic Dick' had an intriguing premise, but unfortunately, that's where the appeal ended for me. The writing style was unpolished and at times downright vulgar, which detracted from the overall reading experience. The characters felt shallow and underdeveloped, making it difficult to connect with their struggles or root for their success. While the book attempted to inject humor, it often fell short, relying on cringe-worthy jokes that missed the mark. I wouldn't recommend this book to those who appreciate well-crafted storytelling or nuanced characters."
4. Robert - 2/5 stars
"I had high hopes for 'I Got a Magic Dick,' but it turned out to be a disappointment. The plot lacked substance and coherence, leaving me confused and unsatisfied. The humor felt forced, with repetitive gags that quickly wore thin. Additionally, the characters felt like caricatures, lacking depth and failing to evoke any emotional investment. While the book had potential for a comedic and entertaining read, it ultimately fell flat, leaving me unfulfilled as a reader."
5. Stephanie - 1/5 stars
"'I Got a Magic Dick' was a crass and tasteless novel that I didn't enjoy at all. The content was unnecessarily explicit and lacked any real depth or substance. The attempts at humor were juvenile and relied heavily on shock value, which grew tiresome very quickly. The characters were shallow and poorly developed, making it difficult to connect or care about their experiences. Overall, I found this book to be a crude and unsatisfying read that I wouldn't recommend to anyone looking for quality literature."