Gayle Levant - Salvi Harps, Inc.

the way we were flown. It was fantastic.Funny story—I’m sitting on the stage atthe end of the performance of one of theshows we had done in Australia, andBarbra had gone offstage. She came backon, and she stopped right next to the columnof the harp to sing an encore. I didn’thave to play in the beginning of thepiece. She’s facing the audience, and sheput her right hand on the column of theharp, and she’s just holding onto it. Andthat’s fine, because I don’t have to playyet? She’s comfortable, and hey, that’s mygirlfriend, you know? And she says, “Doyou mind if I hold the harp?” I said, “Ofcourse not.” Well then, at one point—andshe has the most beautiful hands, herhands, her fingers are long, and her nailsare beautiful, she has incredibly expressivehands—she took her hand off theharp, because she was using her hands inher singing. And I pulled the harp back,because it was time for me to play.HC: Seizing the opportunity.GL: Yes. Now, she’s standing there,singing with her hands. Without lookingat the harp, she puts her right hand out toreach for the harp again, and it’s gone!Because I’ve got the harp back on myshoulder, and she turns and she looks atme, and she says, “Oh, I forgot you haveto play!” [Laughs] And it was just one ofthose priceless moments. You had to bethere! I’ve had so many wonderful experienceswith her over the years, playing forher wedding, just everything. So the recordworld, which is where my heart hasalways been, and still is, was such a majorpart of who I am today. Starting with theCarpenters, when they first started theircareer, having done everything withthem—I’ve got so many little side stories...!HC: Well, the first time I was aware ofyou was on a James Taylor record, wherethey had a picture of all the musiciansthat were on the record, and of course Ihad to find out who the harpist was, andthere was this woman, and I was thinking,“Who’s Gayle Levant? Who’s GayleLevant?” But there was no more question.GL: Well, James and I did a number ofalbums together in the early days, and theway we worked, I was never with theorchestra. He and I would just work oneon-onetogether. I had a lot of wonderfulsessions that I did with Ray Charles overthe years, and that was phenomenal. AndStevie Wonder, and—what I should havedone is brought out a list. I need to makea list of all the people I’ve worked with. Iremember on Stevie Wonder’s record thatwe did… “Overjoyed”, that’s the name ofthe tune, “Overjoyed.” It’s a wonderfulrecord, and to this day, I get so excitedwhen I hear it on the radio. And at theend, I just started doing soft, gentle flourishes?And they just let me keep going,and it’s on the end of the record. I’m notgliss-happy, I’ve never been a gliss-happyperson, but when it feels right…HC: …there’s no other sound that willfit.We’ll give you one lessthing to worry aboutAnderson GroupOrchestrates MusicalInstrument InsuranceFor Your HarpWe’ve specialized in insuring freelancemusicians and major symphonyorchestras with “all risk” worldwidecoverage since 1990.Some of our beneficial servicesinclude coverage if yourinstrument is damaged byWe Serve You Firstcontinued on pg. 28shipping; a very low annual rate of$5 per $1,000 of insured value; and alow $250 “all perils” deductible. Ourcustomers appreciate the reasonableminimum premium of $125, whichcovers as much as a $20,000instrument schedule.With coverage provided by One-Beacon Insurance Company, we’llhave your “prized possessions”playing the right insurancetune in no time!Anderson Insurance Services, Inc.933 Webster Street • Marshfield, MA 02050-3423800-878-6578 • 781-834-6578 • fax: 781-837-3756insureme@insuremass.com • www.harpinsurance.comMarch/April 2008Harp Column •25