Like the guitaristic stunts of Charlie Hunter and Stanley Jordan, Granafei’s simultaneous playing of chromatic harmonica and classical guitar is amazing to behold in concert, but that sense of awe doesn’t necessarily transfer to record. Granafei is able to accomplish this feat with the recent invention of the hands-free chromatic harp, which allows him to blow sophisticated melodies (“Out of Nowhere,” “Autumn Leaves,” “Wave”) while covering both chords and basslines on nylon-string guitar. In spirit it’s akin to a collaboration between Gene Bertoncini and Toots Thielemans, though less impressive.
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