Barry Sless @ GAMH

Jeff Hyman · Post by **Jeff Hyman** » 24 Mar 2009 5:59 pm

Here's an interesting clip of my ol' buddy Barry Sless on his Williams at The Great American Music Hall.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMR8B8mC ... playnext=1

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 24 Mar 2009 7:45 pm

Naturally, we went over this a few months ago here - http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=146798

Equally naturally, there was a large variety of opinion on this - this is, of course THE STEEL GUITAR FORUM, and you'll have this.

I still like it - in fact, it lays better as I hear it more, and I don't think it's just because both the lead singer and I are both Yale Ph.D.s.

Joe Goldmark · Post by **Joe Goldmark** » 24 Mar 2009 10:22 pm

Wow! That was f**ing great! I thought Barry totally nailed the essence of the song in his fills and solos, had great tone, and varied his sound. He deftly goes between great slide licks and classic pedal licks. Very cool.

Frankly, when I read back the other posts, I can't believe anybody could diss this. You've got a great song, with a rocking arrangement, and a wonderful steeler leading the charge all the way. Even the little signature lick they play a couple of times is perfect, and different enough to make it their own arrangement.

I'm good friends with the drummer, and have met Barry, but don't know him even though he lives around here. Way to go guys.

Joe

Jeff Hyman · Post by **Jeff Hyman** » 24 Mar 2009 10:51 pm

Dave,
I've known Barry for decades. As you probably know, he is capable of many styles. Those guys chose him, so he must have had something to bring to their table. I wasn't crazy about the over-drive on his amp, but that's what makes it special. It fit the song. The negative replys, and redirects (on any musical thread) are always OK with me. We all share different tastes. I just feel real proud of him, especially knowing him back in the day. Plus... you'll never meet a more humble, down to earth guy as Barry.

Here's one on his old SHO~BUD Blonde 12 string back in the early 80's with Cowboy Jazz:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaTG74ID5w0

Joe,
I can't tell you how many times I've listened to your good stuff back in the day. I tried to steel some of your chops more then once :-)

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 25 Mar 2009 7:14 am

Yup - I also had trouble understanding the negative replies about this. Of course personal tastes differ, no argument there. Still, I think this is an interesting and clever rearrangement of the tune, and the steel playing fit perfectly to me, and it was up front in a way that brought some new life to using pedal steel in a rock and roll format. When I started playing, I was coming at it from this angle - hey, I'm a guitar player - and I really enjoy hearing this approach done well.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 25 Mar 2009 10:01 am

That's pretty cool stuff,That band comes up here from time to time,The next time I'll go see them.I like Barry's playing.Aint no flies on that boy!

Stephen Silver · Post by **Stephen Silver** » 25 Mar 2009 10:46 am

I saw them recently and they were great. That said, it's really nice to have someone wealthy underwriting the whole affair. Friends of the band have told me that the guy/gal lead people came into a rather substantial amount of money and they have the players on year round retainer. You can keep those ticket prices low when someone other than the audience is footing the bill.

Though I have never met Barry, I do hear tell that he is a great fella. And I really did enjoy his playing....outside the traditional lines, but with enough tradition to reflect the basis of the psg.

Rock on!

SS

John Lemieux · Post by **John Lemieux** » 26 Mar 2009 6:10 am

Excellent version of this 1967 classic love the steel in there

Jerry Erickson · Post by **Jerry Erickson** » 26 Mar 2009 9:35 am

That was tasty! I saw Barry in the early 90"s playing at the Little Bear in Evergreen,CO. That was a fun band, he was playing great.

Jerry Erickson · Post by **Jerry Erickson** » 26 Mar 2009 8:21 pm

I saw this shirt this evening in a pile. My wife has been crocheting rag rugs with old t shirts this winter. Black with bright colors mixed in. This shirt will soon be going into a rug. It's Cowboy Jazz! Now back to the topic.....

Phil Lachaga · Post by **Phil Lachaga** » 27 Mar 2009 8:39 am

I have a recording of Barry playing with the David Nelson Band (NRPS) and his steel and guitar playing are phenomenal! Someone said it earlier - he gets to the essence of the song - Cosmic American Music lives on! (GP)
Come East Barry!

Phil

Jeff Hyman · Post by **Jeff Hyman** » 27 Mar 2009 10:37 am

They sold some freakin' T shirts. The biggest seller was the one of the artwork from the first LP album cover. CD's we just being talked about back then... kinda like BluRay is today. I don't know if you know or not, but Tony passed away many years ago from a drug overdose, and Denise passed away a few years ago too. Very sad. Doing road trips with them back in the 80's was some of the most fun I ever had. When I went on the road with them, we all traveled in a cube van. A wall seperated the sleeping quarters from the equipment. Denise would keep everyone on the floor rolling with laughter. Barry always rolled with the flow. I believe their most favorite spot was the Catalyst in Santa Cruz, CA. Sam's Old Town Ballroom in Ft. Collins CO was a favorite too. I don't know how Rounder Records is today... but back then they were very cool. They allowed plenty of artistic freedom. Flying Fish was happening then too. I could talk for hours....