am big Mark Knopfler fan. Got hold of this double CD today. Great stuff - nice variety. only a few "blues" type tunes w/Kim.
Mark is kinda clean and restrained when he does blues.
Kim does add to the tracks and they are well played, but the music doesn't jump out at you, which is where Kim plays his best. Interestingly, because the music is a bit restrained, so is Kim. In other words, he is wrapping his artistry around Mark and supports Mark without overstepping the album concept.
This relates back to the discussion about how to play a supportive role when asked to participate on another artist's project.
addendum: finished listening to entire CD - about 6 cuts feature Kim. 1 Chromatic, a few 3rd position, crossharp. Talk about Kim's restraint....underplaying, etc. Sounds like the kind of stuff that only gets more impressive through repeated listening ---------- The Iceman
Last Edited by on Sep 11, 2012 3:13 PM
That first tune has some beautiful third position harp. If you hadn't revealed it was Kim Wilson, I would have bet it was Dennis Gruenling. Definitely worthy of some study.
Last Edited by on Sep 11, 2012 3:46 PM
I fell in love with this tune and began practicing it. What’s so special about it? I’ll tell you.
Kim Wilson’s 3rd position playing is not only beautiful and soulful, but playing his riffs are proving to be deceptively difficult. You can figure out the notes easily enough, but there’s something more than the notes to focus on here.
This is a stunning example of crisp and clear articulation of the 2D whole-step bend, 3D whole step and the 3D step and a half bend. I thought I was a pretty good bender but matching up to this tune’s clarity of individual notes on those smoooooth, crisply articulated, deep bends is proving to be quite the challenge and I’m going to be a much better player for it.
yes, thats some pretty cool playing. Took me a while to figure out b flat in third position (figured it was in C, but mistakenly thought third position for C would be B; got that sorted!).
Its one of very few songs that has made me want to move out of my second position comfort zone and into third. ---------- Lucky Lester
The first third position solo I have my students study is Smokin Joint's Telephone Blues, using an Ab harp in third position major. I should go straight to Smith, but most of my Smith is on tape and I cannot find it anymore.
