[Harp-L] Still on Sevie Wonder and subjectivity

["Haka Harri" <harri.haka@xxxxxxxx>]

Thanks JR for your comment on my post but it's out of context since  I replied only to the claim of SW being the best harmonica player on earth. I did not imply that him being a multi-instrumentalist would as such make him any worse than  some other harmonica player. Neither did I say he is not serious or good on the instrument but I still stick to him being far apart from the players I mentioned. Odd assortment of people these world class harmonica players? Maybe you mean differences in playing style or age? 

Just take an example, forgetting musical genres. Stevie Wonder has performed and recorded for about as long as Rod Piazza. Stevie has played the occasional harmonica solo through the years while Rod has been dedicated to the instrument full time for more than 40 years with good critical acclaim. Both are absolutely top musicians  but if I had to vote for one of the two as best harmonica player on earth...

Harri



Jonathan Ross writes:
I didn't say it was logical, just that this is an opinion I've seen  
implied or expressed about multi-instrumentalists in the past, and  
one which was hinted at in this thread, particularly in the quoted  
post below by Haka Harri:

"Stevie sure is a great harmonica player but I'm surprised that  
everyone on this list agrees on him being "best on earth" . Wonder   
has an incredible 45 year career as a multi-instrumentalist, but from  
a purely harmonica point of view it is hard to justify him as THE  
best. No matter what your musical preference, how would you compare  
him with the likes of James Cotton, Rod Piazza, Kim Wilson, Rick  
Estrin, R.J. Mischo, Mitch Kashmar, Howard Levy, Jason Ricci, Toots  
Thielemans and others who are specialists in this instrument? This is  
not to underestimate Stevie Wonder as a harmonica player but a  
reminder that there are players out there who, with any criteria, are  
in the top .2%."

The implication is that because he doesn't "specialize" that Stevie  
isn't as serious or good a harmonica player as those mentioned (an  
odd assortment of people, IMO--but yet another good example of how  
"the best" even when loosely grouped is always subjective).