[Harp-L] The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game

[David Fairweather]

Is that Stevie Wonder playing chrom on The Marvellettes' recording of
Smokey Robinson's "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game"?

[Slim Heilpern]

I hope not. It sounds awful. I'm tempted to say it doesn't even sound like a harmonica, but would be hard pressed to say what else it might be, doesn't sound quite like a melodica either.

According to wikipedia, this song was recorded in 1966, Stevie would have been 15-16 years old and had already developed his very distinctive style, which is not at all evident on this cut.

Just my 2 cents...

- Slim.

[David Fairweather]

I agree that it doesn't sound much like Stevie Wonder, but who else could
it be playing chromatic on a Motown recording in '66?

[chro...@earthlink.net]

Could possibly have Joe Messina who was one of the 3 Guitar Players of the Funk Bros in Detroit.

Joe also played Chromatic more and more later in his career. I have a few of his recordings.

Best
Rob Paparozzi

Sent from my iPhone

[Slim Heilpern]

Joe Messina is a fantastic chrom player, so I doubt it was him either -- unless this was before he learned how to play it ;-).

I have two wonderful harmonica CDs of his from the 90's, but I don't remember where on the internet I found them, I think he used to sell them through his website, but can't find it anymore. The CDs are:

Messina Madness

Messina & Friends

I also, at that time, ordered his book of 500 exercises based on the changes to Giant Steps. The intro says "These exercises are to make one familiar with the Coltrane 'Giant Steps' progression in all keys". Saving this for my retirement...

Both are on Semper Records, which used to have a website at www.semperrecords.com, but it seems to be gone now.

Anyway, to answer David's question: it's not like the chromatic is such a rare instrument, so I don't think there's much to this mystery. Now, if it was a great sounding solo, that would be a different story....

- Slim.

[Joseph Leone]

It's a harmonica all right. After going through the sound system, it reminds me of Stan Ridgway's stuff. But it's not him. Quite common sound back then. I know, I lived it.
smo-joe

[Joseph Leone]

Now that I've had my fun, the 'quasi' harmonica sound is from a monophonic synthesyzer.

ha ha smo-joe