The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #98741   Message #1959934
Posted By: Wordsmith
07-Feb-07 - 01:39 AM
Thread Name: Opinions please-instrument closest to human voice?
Subject: RE: Opinions please
Bobby McFerrin, (I got booted again, but managed to save) I know of a couple of times I've heard Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan approximate instruments masterfully. I think it depends on the singer's voice and elasticity. I have heard people make trumpets sound almost like human laughter. I also don't want to leave the impression that I only like the sax and violin. I'm listening to Cleo Laine, right now, singing, My One and Only Love, and there's someone playing a harmonica fantastically. I think I know who it is, but, thanks to aging, I can't quite remember it now. I'm sure it'll come to me. He used to play jazz harmonica for quite a few jazz singers. Quite mellow. BTW, now, I'm listening to Coleman Hawkins playing Sophisticated Lady, and I can hear the smokiness. See, it's not just the instrument, it's what the artist can wring out of it, too. Maybe it is just the lady who's playing the sax in such a way that it hurts to listen to it, Kendall?