RE: [Harp-L] Chris Hammersmith WHY?

["Chris Michalek" <Chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Funny,  I was just visting the site and I was going to write roughly
the same thing.  It's very rare these days that I hear harmonica
played well enough to make me pick up a harp and play along.

The tune I like the best was Pass the Test of Time.  Fantastic and
very emotive playing. I love it.

BUT... this all dovetails into our current thread on Obs and such.
While the chromatic playing is flawless and absolutely beautiful I
have to ask why choose it on a song like that?  Your diatonic tone is
stellar and I think the short harp is perfectly suited to playing a
tune like Pass the test of time. 

The way harpshredder employs the chromatic is almost insulting to the
diatonic.  Not that there is anything wrong with what he's done with
this tune or even the choice of harmonica. But if you're going to
playing in such a emotive and passionate way, why not use the harp. 
This song plays out perfectly in on a C harp in 4th position and I
imagine it would sound even better on a G harp in 3rd. To my ears the
chromatic sounds so mechanical - this is by no means a dis on Smith's
playing -  the harp is seemingly more fluid and seemless for songs
like this.

Please explain your choice of instrument.  Obviously you're an OB guy
as you say say say... :-)





>
>
>
>---- Original Message ----
>From: harplicks@xxxxxxxxx
>To: harpshredder@xxxxxxxxx
>Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Chris Hammersmith Rocks!
>Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2006 17:40:02 -0800 (PST)
>
>>
>>Hey Chris, 
>>
>>I just got a chance to visit your "my space" Web
>>site (http://www.myspace.com/chrishammersmith) and
>>listen to the three samples you put up there.
>>
>>Dang, bro, you ROCK! Some truly great playing. Your
>>rock/blues diatonic work is energetic, killer
>>chops, heavy tone and just plain good! Your
>>chromatic work is sweet and crisp, with terrific
>>phrasing and a great arrangement. Hot band.
>>
>>Powerful stuff. You're a wonderful player! Keep it
>>up!
>>
>>Hope I can get up to the high country to hear you
>>with your band while your still here in Colorado.
>>Right now it looks bleak for me, but I keep
>>plotting to get up there soon.
>>
>>Stay well!
>>
>>As always, harpin' in Colorado,
>>--Ken M.
>>
>>
>>
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Chris Michalek

www.michalekstrone.com
CD Available
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/michalekstrone