Charlie Musselswhite - was Re: [Harp-L] fave harpists

[icemanle@xxxxxxx]

 what a fun way to spend lost time behind the wheel in a productive fashion.

My only comment is regarding Musselwhite losing a bit of emotion - similar to Mark Hummel, Charlie's recorded works seem to miss the spark that exists in his live performances. If you were to see CM live, you may find that he's retained all the emotion while adding a sheen of "Elder Statesman" and "Effortlessness" as well.

The Iceman

 

-----Original Message-----
From: bfrain@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sun, Dec 27, 2009 9:12 pm
Subject: [Harp-L] fave harpists


drove for 7 hours today listening to nothing but harp players.  here's what i 
came up with...
little walter and butterfield are tied for 1st.  walter's tone is STILL 
unbelieveable! and so inventive is his playing!  butter's playing is still 
amazing!  everyone else is in 2nd place. except for ricci, who i have no cd's 
yet, but would be right up there, especially if he slowed down once in awhile 
and let the emotion build (only shortcoming, in my opinion...and that's a teeny 
weeny fault!)  musselwhite is a great technical player, but he's lost a bit of 
emotion.  (louisiannna fog is his ultimate tune)  kim wilson is right up there 
as well.  amazing player. cotton, yup.  big walter...doesn't get enough credit.
ok, everyone else is in 3rd...estrin is very close, too.  (rain is still 
incredible tune)
um...everyone else is in 4th.  i think. piazza just doesn't have the emotion 
that hits me in the heart..but he's got tone like a big elephant in a small 
room.

butterfield on that live 'everything gonna be alright' and live 'countryside'  
are the ultimate in live playing...and his studio stuff on 'one more heartache' 
and 'run out of time' and 'east-west'  and a bunch of others is untouchable for 
playing the right note at the right time.  

7 hours...drove to the texas coast to palacios...too cold to fish...xlnt bbq in 
lockhart!

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