Re: [Harp-L] Tift Merritt plays harp

[Bill Hines <billhines4@xxxxxxxxx>]

I dislike the whole "harp as accessory" thing and to me that's what's 
going on here. Most performers, especially professionals, wouldn't strap 
on a guitar or sax without first achieving some reasonable level or 
proficiency. I think Dylan, Young, Springsteen et al without even 
realizing it caused some of this by strapping on a rack and playing in 
their stark, discordant styles but we know they are capable more (in 
some cases).

Tift is not bad in the other areas though. I'm a fan of Magda Hiller 
(who sticks to what works for her and as far as I know doesn't play harp).

In any case, we can't tell folks what to play. There was another video 
link posted a while ago of a young female playing and singing 
fantastically but ruined the whole thing with some really bad-sounding 
(to me) harp playing (this one couldn't even be described as 
intentionally stark or discordant).

Then again, on the indie radio stations (like xpn out of philly which I 
listen to) there seems to be a trend toward really, really bad off-key 
singing, i assume to amplify the "angst" of the song?

Bill Hines