Re: [Harp-L] The best Stevie - overated perhaps

["Planet Harmonica" <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dave,

I agree wholeheartedly. 

Different types of music move you for different reasons though, and because Stevie is right there in the middle of a no-mans's land in terms of genres, being a pop icon who was also a celebrated sideman to some of the greatest jazz players, I can understand why some people enjoy him as a virtuoso and others as a pop icon. I must admit to not being very partial to his pop side, but I recognise his talents nonetheless. 

I've given this "what music does to me" question a lot of thought lately, and you may be interested in checking out a discussion I tried to get started (with little success so far) on my blog. I called it 'the body analogy' and you can find it here : http://harmonica.typepad.com/harmonica_ramblings/2006/11/body_analogy.html.

I'd love to have your opinion (and that of other harp-lers) on it.

Ben FELTEN
http://harmonica.typepad.com


----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dave Murray 
  To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Saturday, November 25, 2006 10:20 PM
  Subject: Re: [Harp-L] The best Stevie - overated perhaps


  I realize that this is harp-l and the focus is the harp, but the music comes 
  first. If the music is good and people enjoy it, isn't that enough? 
  Discussion of "the best" is subjective. If the harmonica was Stevie's only 
  claim to fame we might have never heard of him. He sings, composes, plays 
  multiple instruments, and yes, he plays the harp superbly. Few people fail 
  to enjoy his music, no matter if they care specifically about the harp or 
  not.

  For the past few days "Neil Young Unplugged" has betting a lot of play on my 
  CD player. There's a lot of harp content. Does it display harp virtuosity 
  and make me want to proclaim him to be the best? No. But I enjoy it more 
  than the music of some harp players who I think are better harp players. 
  Taste in music is a personal thing. It isn't a contest, and it isn't all 
  about skill.

  Peace and music,
  Dave

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