Fwd: Re: Stevie Wonder

[the Leones <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

>from: jazmaan <dmf273@xxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: Re: Stevie Wonder
>Cc:
>Bcc:
>X-Attachments:
>
>>Time for my annual Stevie Wonder rant:
>>
>>Why hasn't a comprehensive book of Stevie Wonder harmonica tab been 
>>published?
>
>
>   Probably "Contractual" considerations. He has certain, shall we 
>say, unusual quirks he uses in his style which are hard to 
>duplicate. One of them is to use a harmonica in ONE key, play it in 
>ANOTHER key, and wind up in a THIRD key. Examples:
>   1. an F tuned harmonica played in the key of G resulting in "C"
>   2. a G tuned harmonica played in the key of F resulting in "C"
>   3. an A tuned harmonica played in the key of Eb resulting in "C"
>
>* note, His "C" WILL sound different from someone else's "C" for this reason.
>
>>   Yes I
>>know a few songs are available here and there.   But why aren't all 
>>of his major harp
>>solos tabbed and available in one book?
>
>   The few songs are probably "tabbed" from "outside" his organization
>
>>
>>Why has the world's pre-eminent pop harmonica player chosen to 
>>completely ignore the
>>harmonica community?
>
   I don't believe he IS. He is probably just busy. Just try to get 
through to him


>
>>   No personal appearances at SPAH or any other harmonica event, no
>>interviews with any harmonica publication,
>
>
>   He is known MOSTLY for his 1. composing, 2. singing, 3. keyboard 
>work, (roughly in that order). Just like Neil Diamond, my guess is 
>that he doesn't want to be over-exposed, his organization would like 
>to keep an "aura" of mystique. I suspect he is content just as 
>things are. He "seems" humble enough.
>
>>  no "Stevie Wonder" brand chromatic harp,
>
>
>   Perhaps none of the manufacturers have offered. My guess is that 
>he doesn't want his name associated with any product which MAY come 
>under question later. Example: the Herring/Musslewhite deal.
>
>>  no
>>duets with Toots Theilsman.
>
>   Possible "Style" issue. I'm not saying that it's imperative, BUT 
>you will notice that ALL Mr. Morris' stuff is done at HIS 
>tempo/configuration. He almost HAS to set the configuration because 
>of his dis-ability. It might be harder than we know for someone who 
>is "vision-impared" to do a duet with someone that he can't see (AND 
>cue off of), at least on the same type instrument. I have never seen 
>Ray Charles do a Piano duet. Other instruments..of course..but NOT 
>another piano player. Someone PLEASE correct me.
>
>>   I could go on and on about the things Stevie HASN'T done
>>regarding the harmonica.
>
>   Outside of that, your points are EXCELLENT and I have "Wondered" 
>(Pun intended) these same very things myself.
>
>>
>>I've asked many times before whether it might be SPAH's fault.
>
>
>   GOOD question. I don't know as anyone has THOUGHT to invite him to 
>SPAH. The cost might be a factor. Morris is WAY WAY UP THERE in 
>stature in the entertainment world.
>
>>    Has SPAH ever offered
>>to give him a lifetime achievment award?\
>
>   It's worth considering. Steveland IS a member (in good standing) in SPAH.
>
>   DISCLAIMER: nothing in the foregoing should be construed as 
>anything other than this scribe's opinion.
>   smokey-joe
>
>>
>>--
>>Harp-l is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
>>Hosted by ValuePricehosting.com, http://www.valuepricehosting.com