Re: [Harp-L] new recording of "Over the Rainbow"

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Apr 22, 2009, at 8:05 PM, Vern Smith wrote:

> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe and Cass Leone"  
> <leone@xxxxxxxx>
> To: "Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>
> Cc: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 3:52 PM
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] new recording of "Over the Rainbow"
>
>
> > On Apr 22, 2009, at 6:36 PM, Vern Smith wrote:
> >
> > > IMO, this is much better than any harmonica version of the same   
> > > song on Youtube!  I particularly liked the guitar accompaniment.
> > >
> > > I would like to hear the artist play it on a chromatic to avoid  
> > > his  prominent struggle with the limitations of the diatonic.
> >
> > Easy tune on an SJ tuned (now called country). Only the 2 step  
> > bend  requires some effort.
> >
> > > The substitution of G for A at "There's a land" and the  
> > > finessing  of the F#  and A at "away above the chimney tops" made  
> > > me cringe.
> >
> > Yes, a 1 step bend to flatten the 'already sharped' #4 draw  
> > requires  some thought too, but that shouldn't be a problem. Then  
> > you go on to  the sharped #4. Cringing depends on the amount of  
> > effort put in.
> >
> > Joe Scungeli & the Calamari Brothers
>
> Do you describe what's theoretically possible or what can be  
> reasonably performed without bent notes that sound strained?

Ya know J. Vernon, I have played that tune years and years ago, and  
every now and then someone will request it..OR..a singer will want to  
do it. I would have to admit than any harmonica player would easily  
be able to pick out the few bent tones (I wouldn't be so arrogant as  
to call them notes). The audience, however, doesn't seem to notice,  
and if they do, I don't see any change in facial expression(s).

I don't know if the word strained would fit, exactly, maybe a slight  
mutation of the exact timbre.

> Stringed-instrument players are taught not to mix stopped and open- 
> string notes to maintain smooth continuity.  Does such continuity  
> have value on the harmonica?

Hmm, way over my head in philosophical thought. I do know that this  
tune is on the latest Charley McCoy CD and it is played the same way  
that I do it. Albeit more simply (and tastefully). Frankly, I was  
surprised that there were so many tunes that I do on this CD, but  
then, at my age, nothing should surprise me.
> When I hear that song, Judy Garland sings along in my head.

Quite. And when I play Cry me a River (2 harps rqd.), I hear Julie  
London. On other tunes, I may hear Keeley Smith, Doris Day, or MY  
favorite..Peggy Lee.

> A younger person who isn't as rigidly imprinted with the early  
> performances might find the diatonic adaptations less annoying.

I understand where you're coming from and agree. I think a chromo  
does a smoother job, but sometimes I like the 'crying' possibilities  
of the diatonic. Example: My Funny Valentine is easy on a diatonic,  
but I would use a chromo.
> There is no accounting for taste!

Right, sometimes timbre enters into the equation, and if a body can't  
get the 'tone' close enough, they shouldn't do the tune.

Gieuseppi al Fumare
> Vern