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

["Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

----- 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? 
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?

When I hear that song, Judy Garland sings along in my head. 
A younger person who isn't as rigidly imprinted with the 
early performances might find the diatonic adaptations less 
annoying.

There is no accounting for taste!

Vern