Brad in France 25 June - 1 July 2008

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 26 Mar 2008 3:56 pm

Late June, me and my son, Paris, France, June 25th to July 1st. Why, you ask?
http://eu.blizzard.com/wwi08/

Last year Blizzcon 2007 was held in Anaheim, California. I missed buying tickets because I was at Twangfest. Darren has never forgiven me.

Darren's sixteenth birthday is coming up on July 5th. He's a great, low maintenance kind of guy (who never spends any money on anything).
His sister has been all over the world (Japan, New Zealand, France). We figured he deserved a bit of fun for his birthday, and I certainly didn't mind travelling to France again.

So we're going to Paris for a week. I think it's going to be fun!

(By the way, check out this interactive map for some cute interpretations of what to do while there.)

Now the questions are: 1) Is there any steel guitar music in Paris during that time? 2) Should I bother bringing a lap steel with me?

Richard Shatz · Post by **Richard Shatz** » 26 Mar 2008 4:59 pm

Brad,
I really don't know if there is any kind of steel guitar scene in Paris. I've visited that wonderful place about ten times in the last 35 or so years. Aside from being one of the most beautiful cities in the world, it offers more musical culture than you would imagine. There is a major blues following in France, and a lot of American blues artists find more appreciation there than here. I know several artists that tour clubs in England, France and some other areas of western Europe and actually make a decent living doing it.
In spite of sentiments somewhat to the contrary, the French people still love most things American. It wouldn't surprise me a bit to find some US country or blues groups playing in Paris, especially at the height of the tourist season.
Take a lap steel. Worst case scenario, you plunk on it in your hotel room.
Paris is great and you'll have a great time.

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 26 Mar 2008 5:40 pm

Sounds like a great time Brad. I wonder what cool treasure is hiding in the local music shops

Thomas Ludwig · Post by **Thomas Ludwig** » 27 Mar 2008 1:44 am

Brad,
you can visit the Django Reinhardt Festival in Samois sur Seine (26 to 29 june).
There are a lot of jams and if you know some of the gypsy swing tunes ...

http://django.samois.free.fr/index.htm

Thomas

Frederic Mabrut · Post by **Frederic Mabrut** » 27 Mar 2008 4:44 am

Brad, there's quite a good bunch of non pedal steelers around and in Paris. Ask Crowbear for relaying this thread on the French Forum. I'm pretty sure you may have use of your lap steel.

Best wishes for your trip

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 27 Mar 2008 7:23 am

Thanks for the reminder about the Steel Guitar France forum. I've posted a message there in the "Promenade des Anglais" section.

The Django festival sounds great - I hope we can get out of the city, but I have a feeling we'll be wandering throughout Paris instead.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 27 Mar 2008 8:47 am

Hi Brad
its good to know yer comin' back here
since it will be summer, there will be plenty goin' on in & around Paris
Yes ! the Django R fest in Samois is a must do
it's not far from Paris either

i'm spreadin' da news man

http://slide.forumactif.com/je-fais-de- ... .htm#31039

http://steelguitarfrance.forumactif.com ... .htm#11277

be back soon

Richard Shatz · Post by **Richard Shatz** » 28 Mar 2008 5:30 pm

If I were going to Paris now, I woudd look up Andre Duchouissoir. He is in the process of publishing what will be another of his definitive and authoritative books. This one will be about Gibson Steel Guitars, but you already know about that.I guess.
I'm more of a collector than a player. No, I'm not reallu even a player, I'm only a plunker.
But i think if anyone can put lap steel and or steel guitars on the collectabilitably map, this guy really has the creditability and track record to do it. Anyone who is interested in Gibson or Fender instruments knows who he is. He has collaborated with every devote and collector of Gibson steel guitars that I know to produce a book that those of us in this small communtiy will cherish for years to come.
Look up Andre D
Richard

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 29 Mar 2008 2:18 am

Sounds like a real fun trip for you and you son. I was there a few times, 1953-54!!

Andrea Bonino · Post by **Andrea Bonino** » 1 Apr 2008 6:56 pm

Hi Brad,

it seems what you are looking for will happen just the day before you arrive:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... a9aeac8c0a

would love to see Freddie Roulette playing live again, since the only time i've seen him was in Italy in 1988..

i'm seriously considering going to Paris during that week, for John Zorn's 'Carte Blanche' festival.. i could bring my tricone also, would be great to hook up with you while i'm there

i understand it might not be your cup of tea, but here's the program for the festival, quite outstanding indeed:

23.June.2008 Cité de la Musique: Fred Frith/John Zorn & Painkiller (Laswell, Harris, Zorn, Patton)
24.June.2008 Cité de la Musique: The Dreamers
25.June.2008 Cité de la Musique: Essential Cinema feat. Electric Masada
26.June.2008 Salle Pleyel: Masada String Trio, Bar Kokhba, Acoustic Masada
27.June.2008 Cité de la musique: Mysterium, 777

The Dreamers:

Marc Ribot guitar
Jamie Saft
Kenny Wollesen vibraphone
Trevor Dunn bass
Joey Baron drums
Cyro Baptista percussion
John Zorn conducting

E.C. feat. Electric Masada day:

Marc Ribot guitar
Jamie Saft organ
Erik Friedlander cellos
Trevor Dunn bass
Ikue Mori
Joey Baron drums
Kenny Wollesen drums
Cyro Baptista percussion
John Zorn

Mysterium day:

Fred Sherry cellos
Mike Nicholas cellos
Erik Friedlander cellos

Martha Cluver voice
Abby Fischer voice
Kirsten Soller voice
Lisa Bielawa voice
Kate Mulvehill voice

Mike Lowenstern bass clarinet
Anthony Burr bass clarinet

Steven Drury piano

Jenny Choi violin
Jesse Mills violin
Jenny Francis viola
Fred Sherry cellos

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 1 Apr 2008 7:10 pm

Brad,

In addition to all of the activities posted, you have at your disposal one of the greatest collection of art treasures in the world at the Louvre.

The only full view of Paris is atop the Eiffel Tower.
You can even have a meal going up to the top. We passed on the meal there because the waiter was downright rude and my wife even speaks French because she was a French teacher.

A lot of good, more reasonable eating spots on the East Bank.

Bon Voyage,

Don

Fred Kinbom · Post by **Fred Kinbom** » 1 Apr 2008 8:57 pm

Brad,

You must also make sure to visit RF Charle's shop while in Paris. More vintage lap steels in one room for you to play at your leisure are not to be found in Europe!

http://www.rfcharle.com

Their prices may give you a heart attack though - be careful!

I see that my Paris-dwelling lap-sliding friends Paolo Conti and Vleb have expressed an interest in hooking up with you in one of the threads posted above by CrowBear.

I hope you'll have a great time in Paris! Beware of Parisian prices though. It is always good to be in Paris with someone who knows where to go and not, to avoid 10 Euro coffees or 7 Euro beers. $:\$

Fred