Re: [Harp-L] Tommy Morgan

["Chris Michalek" <chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Don't take away the repsect I gave to Tommy Mogan. I think he is a incredible musician and one of the most important harmonica players in the history of the instrument. Tommy did play the Rockford part at the cue of the composer or producer HE SAID he made it up himself. The part was originally written for the chromatic but Tommy thought he idea was better. According to many studio musicians this is a NO NO but Tommy prevailed due to his much earned respect. Just because he can play the dickena out of the chromatic does not make him a good diatonic player. He's the first to admit that he doesn't play diatonic "like the blues guys" You can't convince me if some producer said I want you to sound like little water on this cut he could do it. He simply can not, so let's not pretend that he some ultra advanced diatonic player he will readily admit that he is not. It's clear to me that he uses it moreas an effect instrument rather than a "real" instrument. Afterall if he wanted play lines he'd use the chromatic. He could be better than Levy if he took the time to figure out thre short harp.
Again I said, I have no disdain or cotempt for Tommy Morgan. I think he's one of the world's elite musicians.


>-----Original Message-----
>From: BassHarp [mailto:bassharp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 09:35 AM
>To: 'Harp-L', 'Hunter, Richard', 'Rob Paparozzi'
>Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Tommy Morgan
>
>Hey Richard and Rob,
>
>You guys put into words so eloquently and to the point, my thoughts
>which I would have liked to have written. Thanks for pointing out
>Tommy's achievements, which are far greater than most imagine. I only
>wish Chris M and others would take a long hard look at Tommy's website, 
>and learn just a bit of what he has been doing for the past 54+ years.
>
>Tommy claims, and rightly so, to be the most-heard harmonica player in
>the world - ever - and has the documentation to back it up. Those who
>claim to have done particular studio work to elevate themselves in their
>own minds, even to the point of making such claims on stage, and on TV, 
>no less - ask them to produce the written records, including pay stubs. 
>Or, just check with Tommy, and he can produce such documentation - I
>personally have seen the tip of the iceberg in his files at his home.
>Jaw-dropping to say the least.
>
>So - anyone who thinks he/she can match Tommy's history, have a go at
>it. As both Richard and Rob mentioned - it is the "hirer" rather than
>the "hiree" who sets the stage, and it is up to the hiree to do the job 
>he is booked and paid to do.
>
>Personal opinions of music genre aside, there is no one out there who
>can cover it all, as Tommy as done.
>
>As an aside - anyone who thinks Tommy is a "sometime" bass harmonica
>player, check out his work in the soundtrack of the 1995 film, "Casper."
>Phenomenal - must be heard to be believed. I have the score of the bass 
>track, and first impression is that "it can't be done!" But that is what
>Tommy is paid to do - play what the composer writes. I've heard Tommy do
>it, and I still say "it can't be done!"
>
>Danny
>
>--
>BassHarp
>PO Box 5061
>Hudson, FL 34674-5061
>http://www.bassharp.com/bh_itin.htm
>
>
>
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