Re: [Harp-L] In Praise Of Stevie

["Rick Dempster" <rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Not to say there aren't some wonderful chromatic players around; but on
the whole, the chromatic has always had a tendency to sound like a
machine rather than a voice, and takes some sublime artistry to make it
the latter rather than the former. Stevie is to the chrom what the Blue
Fairy was to Pinnochio. (Check Wikipedia's 'Pinnochio' entry if you
don't get that; or better still, your local library)
I second what you say anyhow.
RD    
    

>>> chris smith <harpshredder@xxxxxxxxx> 27/09/2007 15:05 >>>
I just happened to look over an old thread and
felt compelled to share what a very well-established
composer told me when I asked him if he'd ever heard
Stevie (Wonder)'s version of "Alfie". He said,  "I saw
him do it at the Hollywood Bowl and it was like
watching Jascha Heifetz." That pretty much took my
breath away. I totally got the immensity of that
compliment : a consummate virtuoso who plays
effortlessly with tremendous feeling sprinkling
surprises in with great power. 
    We may never get there but it's a beautiful light
at the end of that tunnel.
                                                      
                      Chris "Hammer" Smith
    

Chris "Hammer" Smith
Hammer Smith Band
Official Myspace Page http://myspace.com/chrishammersmith 
harpshredder@xxxxxxxxx 
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