[Harp-L] Carnegie Hall presents 'A Tribute to Charlie McCoy: A Celebration of the Harmonica'

[Rick Dempster]

"A bit dated"? Really? Anyway, glad to see this. I have brought up the
subject of McCoy on harp-l
a couple of times, and fairly recently too. I have given up usually; I'm
amazed at the lack of knowledge of McCoy, when it seems most evident to me
that he has been the most revolutionary diatonic player from the 'sixties
onward. and that, not only for the style he developed,
but for his immense broad popularity.
I would venture to say, without doubt, that, over the last fifty-odd years,
perhaps more, he has been the
most widely heard harmonica player, of any kind, chromatic or diatonic.
I have a dozen albums by him, all instrumental, featuring Charlie backed by
the cream of Nashville
session players. The albums sold a heap, were readily available in stores
here in Australia, and I don't
know of any harp players back then who weren't aware of him.
If there is such a thing as 'Bluegrass harmonica" (I dislike the term, but
there you go) ie, fast melodic playing
of fiddle tunes and country songs generally, in second position, then
Charlie invented it.
As well as that, Charlie could play fine  ballads, like "Ruby" (by Heinz
Roemheld - a hit for Ray Charles, I recall)
Willie Nelson's "Nightlife" and a heap more.
I suspect that the style of production of Charlie's albums is too smooth
and "Nashville" for modern
hipsters to 'get'. Uncool, perhaps.
On top of that, Charlie was a schooled musician, having studied brass and
mallet instruments at Julliard.
He really was outstanding, and remains so, in my book.
Thanks for that anyway, Randy.
RD

On Tue, 19 Mar 2019 at 23:08, Randy Singer <randy at xxxxx> wrote:

> A tremendously over looked great harmonica player known for his great
> tone, rhythmic dexterity, melodic expertise and one of the nicest guys on
> the planet.
>
> His music may sound a bit dated but he has what it takes to put him in the
> harmonica hall of fame!!!
>
> Well deserved tribute.
>
> >
> https://mountainmessenger.com/carnegie-hall-presents-a-tribute-to-charlie-mccoy-a-celebration-of-the-harmonica/
> <
> https://mountainmessenger.com/carnegie-hall-presents-a-tribute-to-charlie-mccoy-a-celebration-of-the-harmonica/
> >
>
>
>
>
> Randy Singer Music
> www.randysinger.com <http://www.randysinger.com/>
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