Terry was probably my #1 harmonica influence growing up. I love this version of "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear," especially with the orchestra. There's just something about this arrangement that is very touching to me. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
thanks Todd I sent it out on facebook-question does he change keys during the course of the tune and is that why he is holding 3 harps? excuse the fact that I am only a rank amateur btw have a very merry christmas
Yes, the song is in C, then changes to C#(Db). He uses a C and a Db for playing the song in 1st position, and also briefly uses an F harp played in 2nd position to play a few fill-in licks.
Todd, Terry really influenced me to. I was troubled to find out he had Passed away shortly before I discovered who he was, he was one year older than me. I wish there was more info.out there about him. I have only found a few videos of him and nothing as far as a biography. Terry was who I learned Amazing grace from off his video from you/tube when I 1st started playing for the CowBoy church band. I read that he approched harp like playing a lead guitar. I guess thats why I felt closer to his style as thats the way I have looked at it from the start before I ever heard of Terry. I hope to see him on the other side some day. Merry Christmas to all. Mike
@Shredder - Have you ever heard his albums? Though he played on EVERYBODY'S records through the years, he did have a couple of his own. The YouTube versions of Amazing Grace and This Train don't do him justice at all. He used to be featured all the time on the country music channel, TNN I believe, and he did all kinds of cool stuff, way better than anything that's on YouTube. I saw him even use a Golden Melody in high A once. It must have been made for him by Hohner, because they never produced the GM in that key. I wish someone would post some of that footage - would sure be nice to see.
Last Edited by on Dec 23, 2010 11:49 AM
I remember watching Terry on TNN and some of the gospel shows with my grandfather, long before I picked up a harp. I remember thinking about how passionate his playing was. Good song. Thanks!
Very true, but I think one thing to keep in mind is that Terry was a session player, and in recording situations a condenser mic doesn't lie. If the tone of the harp isn't quite right, it becomes more obvious than with live situations. That may be part of why he liked Golden Melodies. I hear a certain characteristic in Golden Melodies when I record with them and listen to the playback. That's what got me hooked on them, though I admit that Terry is what first inspired me play to Golden Melodies.
oda, I don't think the cause of his passing was ever released, so I'm not really certain. As for his influences, that's a good question.... I only talked with him once, back in 1997, and I only remember him saying that he loved Toots Thielemans, and that he wasn't crazy about John Popper, who was very popular at that time.
TJ Klay (who is a great Nashville harp player himself) would probably be best to answer this question, as he was a personal friend of Terry.
Last Edited by on Dec 23, 2010 9:29 PM
@ Todd, Yes I have 2 albums that have Terry, tearing the harp up. The gospel CD "I've got a feeling" and the one he did with Larry Carlton"Renagade Gentlmen". I really like the one that he and his wife wrote together " Cold day in hell". Like you say, monster tone and clean precise notes. I admit I never owned a G/M before I saw Terry on the Amazing grace video.I mostly had S/P 20's. Now I have a full set of G/M's. I do use 2 S/P 20's fairly regular, the D and A harps but The G/M's have the rest of my harp case. If I,m recording I will use the A & D G/M's or if the song just dosn't fit the tuning of the S/P20's and yes the condenser mic dosn't lie. I gig with a guitarist/vocalist in restrants and cafes and use a MXL V 900 condenser mic on a stand, sounds sweet but if I mess up every one knows it. Here below are 2 links to Amazon where I got Terry's music from. http://www.amazon.com/Ive-Got-Feeling-Terry-Mcmillan/dp/B000000PAY/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1293202374&sr=8-11
Todd, when you spoke with Terry, what was he like, 1st impression. I just want to know more about him? I hope he wasn't a jerk. What he projected on TNN and CBN "700 club" was a happy friendly personality. Any insight is greatly appreciated. Mike
@Shredder - Well, it was just a phone conversation, but he seemed like a nice guy. I wish I could have met him in person. He seems to have been well-loved by many. If you ever get a chance to meet and talk with TJ Klay, he could give you a better idea.
You should also check out Terry's album, "Somebody's Comin'" which was released in '97 I believe. It has some really good harp on it.
