Re: Speed: Missed Notes and feeling
Originally Posted by
Steve Finlay
Timing and musicality -- my wife has a CD of Bill Monroe and Doc Watson duets (Smithsonian Folkways SF CD 40064). When I listen to it, I always wonder why Doc doesn't take Monroe's mandolin and smash it over his head. To my ear, Monroe is RUSHING THE BEAT. It comes across as an ugly form of musical bullying, which Doc appears to ignore.
As well as his amazing runs/leads, Doc had a wonderful ability to KEEP THE BEAT. Part of Monroe's unique style was 'playing ahead'. His (Monroe's) uncanny perception of rhythm allowed him to bend the rules (and re-straighten them) in ways that other's couldn't. Just one of the reasons his style is so difficult to properly emulate.
As far a Doc ignoring an "ugly form of musical bullying"... maybe so. Or maybe he was the gentleman he seemed be and not so easily offended.
"I play BG so that's what I can talk intelligently about." A line I loved and pirated from Mandoplumb
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