[Harp-L] Re: Chris Hammersmith WHY?

[Ray Beltran <raybeltran@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Feb 9, 2006, at 10:33 AM, harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2006 00:21:03 -0600
> From: "Chris Michalek" <Chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Chris Hammersmith WHY?
> To: m.polesky@xxxxxxxxxxx, harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx, harpshredder@xxxxxxxxx,
> 	Chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <380-220062496213472@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
>
> I don't mean to imply the chromatic can not convey emotions one only
> needs to hear Stevie, Toots, Bonfiglio, Hammer Smith and others...
>
> The underlying point was if you can play that way in the chromatic
> why can't you play that way on the diatonic.

> Though this will come
> off as critism I don't intend it to be, if Hammer can play such
> beautiful music on the chromatic why does it seems that he boxes
> himself in on the diatonic by playing simple licks, patterns and runs
> and otherwise cliche harp lines?  Where has this beautiful music gone?
>
> Listen to Howard Levy, the lines he plays on the harp, sax, flute or
> mando are the same lines he plays on the piano.


By your description, Howard's boxing himself in. You mean the same  
licks, patterns and runs and otherwise cliche piano lines?


> It's obvious to me
> that his music is flowing through him and regardless of instrument is
> emplyed.  What's different about Hammer? From what I heard the music
> he plays on the chrom comes from his head but the music he plays on
> the harp comes from the harp.

Sounds like you're boxing Chris in.


> Obviously Hammer is a gifted musician
> why does he let the one instrument dictate what he hears in his head
> when he clearly dictates the music on the chrom.

How do you know what he hears in his head, when all you can hear are  
harp lines and licks. Perhaps there's more... perhaps you're hearing,  
but not listening.

> He stated himself
> that he can OB so he should have any limitations.

I think what you meant to say is that he should NOT have any  
limitations. I think.

So OB's are the answer to limitations. Hmm.

> And especially on
> a song like Pass the Time where OBs are not required what was the
> modus operandi behind the choice of axe?
>
> This is NOT a dis on Hammer smith or anybody else.

Ray.
www.resgraphics.com/music.html