| Who's the most controversial PSG player out there? |
| Susan Alcorn |
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13% |
[ 11 ] |
| Jerry Garcia |
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26% |
[ 22 ] |
| Daniel Lanois |
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5% |
[ 5 ] |
| Robert Randolph |
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40% |
[ 34 ] |
| Other |
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14% |
[ 12 ] |
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| Total Votes : 84 |
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| Author |
Topic: Most controversial PSG player Poll |
Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 8:38 am |
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This kind of stuff isn't unique to the steel guitar community. Richard Wagner, Igor Stravinsky and Arnold Schoenberg were all, "Controversial," in their day as well. Then there was jazz. And after that Rock n' roll. It's just a human thing.
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Amor vincit omnia |
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Mike Poholsky
From:
Kansas, USA
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 8:50 am
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Just let it grow! As a good friend of mine is fond of saying," Stand back, I don't know how big this thing is going to get."
The internet is exposing more information about the steel guitar(and many other things)to an audience of global proportions. There's no going back. IMO!
I'd rather be on the bus!
_________________
Zumsteel 12 Universal
SGBB
ShoBud VP
'64 Fender Twin Reverb/Fox Rehab
Fender Steel King w/BW 1501-4
FX to Taste |
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Ben Jones
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 9:08 am
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Jim Sliff, you really should go to "The Convention"! 
Honestly dude, your just as narrowly focused as they are, if not more so. Sure, you'll hear "Way to Survive" a couple times and I think you'd probably survive that....but you might also hear someone kick out some fuzz, play some bach, or just otherwise surprise and astound you with something really cool and orginal. You aint that far out there Jim. It aint you against the stodgey old steel guitarists establishment no matter how enticing that prospect might be for you...
I dunno man, sometimes i get the feeling you are just as narrow and rigid as some of these old cats are...more so even. |
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Joel Meredith
From:
Portland,Oregon, USA
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 9:21 am
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| None of these players should be considered "controversial", they're just doing their thing and you either like it or not... |
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Theresa Galbraith
From:
Goodlettsville,Tn. USA
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 10:35 am
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| YEP! |
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Scott Henderson
From:
Camdenton, Missouri, USA
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 10:49 am
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I don't think that ay of these people are controversial. I would say the only thing controversial is the lack of open mindness to accept a persons ability to express the emotion of themselves or the song. That's like telling someone they are controversial because they play jazz or classical music. Secure in the individuallity? Yup
Controversial? Kinda doubt it!
_________________
D-10 JCH Dekley U-12 D-8 Magnatone Mullen RP Evans RE 200 profex 2 BJS bars
Dentyne gum (peppermint) |
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Carroll Hale
From:
EastTexas, USA
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 11:40 am
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do not participate in most of the polls...nor threads...read lots of sgf threads.......mostly cause I am not an experienced steel player....but for knowledge....my question....
"why is this thread even on here".....seems as if it is here to "START" a controversy.....and that seems to defeat the purpose of sgf in the first place...."a place for steel guitarist to learn and share knowledge".....somehow, I just dont get it...
my 2 cts...for what that is worth.....guess, that and $1 will get me a cup of java at the local coffeehouse hotspot.......    |
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Twayn Williams
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 12:59 pm
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| Carroll Hale wrote: |
| "why is this thread even on here".....seems as if it is here to "START" a controversy.....and that seems to defeat the purpose of sgf in the first place...."a place for steel guitarist to learn and share knowledge".....somehow, I just dont get it... |
Ok, to answer seriously:
I did not start the controversy about the players mentioned in the poll. My experience on this forum is that when a thread is started about any of those players, controversy erupts. On 6-string forums you can usually elicit the same reactions by mentioning John Mayer.
The question becomes: why is such and such a controversial figure in the PSG world? What is it about them or their playing that engenders such strong reactions? What do these reactions tell us about our preconceptions and value sets? What can we learn from this?
I also think it's funny 
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Primitive Utility Steel |
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Les Green
From:
Jefferson City, MO, R.I.P.
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 1:09 pm
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My steel playing has been controversial ever since I first started playing one some 45+ years ago. One person will say, "Man, that guy is terrible!" His buddy will say, "Naw, he's way SHORT of terrible! Drag him off the bandstand. I'll get the rope!" I respect and admire anyone who has the courage to set down behind a steel and try something new. I'll listen to them. As with the argument over traditional country and new country, if I don't like it, which is doubtful, I'll go listen to someone else.
_________________
Les Green
73 MSA D10 8&4, 74 MSA S10 3&5, Legrande II 8&9, Fender Squier 6 string, Genesis III, Peavey 1000 |
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Brian Straub
From:
Connecticut, USA
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 1:46 pm Kind of crazy
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This is kind of a ridiculous topic. Let me see. Controversy. Controversy because some individuals have there own style? I started playing steel about 7 months ago...I'm trying to acquire my own style of playing and not copy others. Has anybody seen a book of tabs by P. Franklin, S. Garrish, B. Emmons, L. Green, M. Johnson etc..? NO...you wont find one. This is because they want you to create your own style, be unique, etc. That is what Robert Randolph has done..That is what Jerry Garcia did. They don't create controversy they create their own uniqueness. That is what music is all about!! I have a few Intructional CD's from P. Franklin...his words still hold true...create your own style of playing...Don't copy others...just enjoy what they have created. Would you consider Duane Allman controversial. I would vote to close this ridiculous topic. 
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Justice D-10, Evans Amp, Sarno V-8, Gibson Lap Steel BR-9, Telonics Pedal. |
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Steve Hinson
From:
Hendersonville Tn USA
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 1:48 pm
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...I can't believe Pete Drake ain't on this list!When I moved to Nashville 30 years ago,most other steel players were EXTREMELY critical of his playing...I always loved his playing and can't imagine what anybody else would have played on most of the records Pete was on...just my opinion.
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http://www.myspace.com/stevehinsonnashville |
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Brint Hannay
From:
Maryland, USA
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 2:04 pm
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| Joel Meredith wrote: |
| None of these players should be considered "controversial", they're just doing their thing and you either like it or not... |
Well said, Joel, well said! 
One sentence that sums it all up. |
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Gabriel Stutz
From:
Chicago, USA
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 2:16 pm
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Well, this thread was really helpful to me. I didn't know anything about Susan Alcorn, until this thread came up. It's a challenging listen, but I thought it was really interesting/beautiful to hear steel played that way, so thanks for that.
Gabriel |
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Carl Morris
From:
Boulder, Colorado, USA
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 2:23 pm
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Thanks from me, too, for starting this thread. I don't like forum controversies myself, but at least this one gave me some names to go check out. Interesting stuff, even though some of it's not my thing.
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Carl Morris
http://cdmorris.com/music/ |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 2:27 pm
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| Bob Simons wrote: |
| THis discussion is skirting the issues that frustrate me most about the steel guitar community. Having come late to steel guitar I found it to be an overwhelmingly narrow-minded community. While steelers are supportive and generous among their like-minded brethren, I was shocked when year after year at Scotty's show I heard only the same stuff over and over and over. I don't think a new lick has been added in 40 years. |
This IS changing. 2 years ago Joe Wright and Sarah Jory turned on their fuzz tones and played a high energy rock and roll set and the crowd loved it.
Now the convention has a Saturday afternoon jazz program where players like Jim Cohen and Doug Jernigan perform.
Earlier this year in Phoenix, Doug "Earnest Bovine" Livingston played a piece by Bach and received a standing ovation when it was over.
There will always be the "if it ain't country it ain't music" crowd, but things are looking up.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 2:39 pm
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Hmm...Keeps coming back like a rash.
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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Duane Reese
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 3:06 pm
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| Twayn Williams wrote: |
The question becomes: why is such and such a controversial figure in the PSG world? What is it about them or their playing that engenders such strong reactions? What do these reactions tell us about our preconceptions and value sets? What can we learn from this?
I also think it's funny |
Translation: this thread is flame bate.
Since the "powers that be" in the steel community aren't actually a governing entity, and can't hold anybody back on account of style... And since a general consensus about this will never form... I think it's safe to say nothing good will come out of this thread.
Unless you think a flame war is good.
I'd rather see those of a different style and approach do what they do, and be at peace with them. |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 3:17 pm
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Jim, you're just an un-conventional guy.
But seriously, any friend of Sneaky Pete is a friend of mine.
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Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons |
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Twayn Williams
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 5:17 pm
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So far Robert Randolph is in the lead. Which actually surprises me. I'd have thought Jerry Garcia was a more guaranteed hackle raiser. Robert Randolph actually reminds me a bit of Speedy West, in a very round-about, oblique way...
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Primitive Utility Steel |
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Mike Winter
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 5:38 pm
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Robert Randolph by far, then Jerry. IMO Jerry offered a lot more musically; his notoriety lies mostly with those that can't get past the hippie/drug connection and see what he had to offer. If someone gave me tickets to an RR show, I would give them away....maybe sell them if I was hard up. His music doesn't do anything for me. Most of Jerry's does. Flame away...my opinion, as always.
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Mike
------------------
Blue Moon Highway
(Country Music...and then some.)
www.bluemoonhighway.com
www.myspace.com/bluemoonhighway
ZB Custom S-10 (#0509) |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 8:36 pm
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| Why is someone who plays music that doesn't appeal to you controversial? |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 9 Jun 2008 9:26 pm
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Music is about emotions and passion. I think it's completely unrealistic to think that people who are seriously into music - especially full-time musicians who spend uncounted thousands of hours honing their craft - aren't gonna form strong opinions and make value judgements about music. In fact - in order to really create music, I think one must form strong opinions and make value judgements about what and how to write, play, and sing. This doesn't have to take the form of "I'm great, and you suck." value judgements, but the very fact that someone locks themself in a woodshed and molds themself into a particular type of musician speaks volumes for their passion about that particular approach. Do you really think they should just remain neutral about something they're so passionate about? Do you really think that is human nature? I don't. I agree that, in an ideal world, we would all be so enlightened that we completely understand - at a gut level - that everything is about point of view. But when you're down in the trenches sweating and trying to create something, maybe it's not so easy to see the view from the clouds. Not to mention the fact that much of the music biz is an incredibly competitive, zero-sum game where sometimes the only way to get ahead is to climb over somebody else. It ain't always pretty, and definitely not for the faint-of-heart.
I think the history of music is also relevant. Changes in music, like changes in culture, are sometimes very controversial. For example, in 1913, there was, literally, a riot in the Théâtre des Champs Élysées in Paris during a performance of Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring". There is a long history of booing and catcalling when new music was introduced in European classical music. Remember when Dylan strapped on an electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 and practically got booed off the stage by the resident folk-nazis? Controversy in music is nothing new, and it's not going to end now by simply decreeing "Hey, we should accept everyone, controversy is not allowed, Kumbaya."
So I don't think it should be out of bounds to talk about the whats, whys, and wherefores of controversial steel guitar music and players. If you muzzle this, it will just fester. It's there, like it or not. The only way I've ever seen real controversy lead to fruitful results was serious two-way discussion. Here on this forum, we can enforce a reasonable code of conduct for that discussion. There is nothing to be afraid of, as long as we respect each other. Better to talk this kind of stuff out. Anybody that doesn't want to be part of the discussion doesn't need to get involved. But I think it's pointless and even counterproductive to try to suppress it. |
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Joe Miraglia
From:
Jamestown N.Y.
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Posted 10 Jun 2008 6:17 am
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The steel guitar is an unique instrument and is able to play many styles and sounds--sometimes weird--makes it very diversified. This leads to controversy among steel players of the way they approach the instrument.Joe
www.willowcreekband.com |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 10 Jun 2008 6:24 am
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| Quote: |
| Why is someone who plays music that doesn't appeal to you controversial? |
I think that was Twayne's whole point - which is why I selected "other", since controversy should not exist over stylistic differences. At least in an ideal world.
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No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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Bo Legg
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Posted 10 Jun 2008 8:08 am
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| Just play the darn thing! |
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