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Topic: Barney Isaacs, Jr. Plays Solo Hawaiian Video===> |
Josh Cho
From:
New York, NY (orig. Honolulu, HI)
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Posted 19 Oct 2009 7:44 am |
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How many of you consider Barney Isaacs, Jr.'s steel playing a huge inspiration like I do?
I don't ever see too much discussion on him.
Here's a video of him playing solo electric console and speaking of how he--and his famous musician father--started playing steel guitar.
Here's the link
http://steelguitarmojo.com/barneyisaacs.shtml
Just a great, sweet story and ever so magical playing, I hope you enjoy,
Josh
_________________
Lap-n-Console Steel Guitar Lessons |
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Derrick Mau
From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 19 Oct 2009 10:24 am
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Aloha Josh,
Barney definately is the man. One of Hawaii's best on steel. The chords he does in his arrangements are simply beautiful.
The Isaac family are the most talented Hawaiian musicians ever. Atta, master of the Hawaiian slack key guitar, Norman, great falsetto voice and accomplished bass player, and his dad Alvin, Hawaii's best song writer and composer. |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 19 Oct 2009 10:48 am
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| Derrick Mau wrote: |
| The Isaac family are the most talented Hawaiian musicians ever. |
Yet, when do you ever hear them mentioned or played, as was stated about Barney? The greats are too easily forgotten.  |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Derrick Mau
From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 19 Oct 2009 10:59 am
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There is more with Barney on YouTube at the steel convention in 1988. George Keoki Lake backs Barney up on archtop guitar with some wicked Hawaiian swing rhythm.
George where were you when I needed you at the conventions?? You da Man!  |
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David Soreff
From:
North Las Vegas, NV
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Posted 19 Oct 2009 11:06 am
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Aloha Josh,
Thanks for posting that link. Beautiful to hear. At this formative stage of my playing, it's great to get some new names, (well, new to me) to listen to and to check out...I'm heading into cyberland to see what I can find/purchase of his.
Derrick, it was great to meet you the other night and a pleasure to listen to you play. I'm hoping to see you at the next BBQ.
Dave Soreff |
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Josh Cho
From:
New York, NY (orig. Honolulu, HI)
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Posted 19 Oct 2009 11:50 am
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Aloha everyone for the replies,
I knew Barney had fans--especially in da Islands.
As Dave mentions these tributes open up Barney's playing to some who will no doubt benefit from the experience.
If you haven't heard or bought Hawaiian Touch, you're in for a real treat.
Dave, check out the sound samples on Amazon for a preview. The album was one of Barney's last recordings, apparantly even historical according to the label --Dancing Cat--as it's the first time that Barney ever recorded acoustic lap steel--all his other recordings were on electric.
Josh
_________________
Lap-n-Console Steel Guitar Lessons |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 19 Oct 2009 1:45 pm
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Barney was declared a "treasure of Hawaii" before he passed away, by the state, I believe. His version of "White Ginger Blossoms" with Alfred Apaka is really nice.
The album "Hawaiian Touch" is an excellent CD. |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 19 Oct 2009 3:10 pm
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The CD with George Kuo and Barney on Dancing Cat is indeed a "must have." I stole a few intros from Barney from that disc!
Back in the early 90s, Isaacs recorded a cassette with Jerry Byrd and Alana Akaka called "Islands Call." I don't think that one ever made it to CD but it was quite something to hear three masterful steelers on a record and hear them NOT get in one another's way. |
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Derrick Mau
From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 19 Oct 2009 3:30 pm
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Aloha David,
It was great meeting you!
Check your "Private Messages".
Derrick |
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Josh Cho
From:
New York, NY (orig. Honolulu, HI)
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Posted 19 Oct 2009 5:15 pm
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| Andy Volk wrote: |
| The CD with George Kuo and Barney on Dancing Cat is indeed a "must have." I stole a few intros from Barney from that disc! |
Over the past 2 years, I've been transcribing Hawaiian Touch note for note. It's a personal project, so gets put on the back burner many times.
Right now am making my way through their version of Lahaina Luna... brah, the Aloha that fills my heart when I play these songs -- it's so humbling.
Barney's style is not too technical or flashy, but there's really magic in his tone, touch, phrasing...I could go on and on.
_________________
Lap-n-Console Steel Guitar Lessons |
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Oscar Usman
From:
Houston, TX, USA
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Posted 19 Oct 2009 6:31 pm
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Aloha Josh,
Catching up with the cyber connection. Just to add in on the rest, if you can get a hold of the Movie Donovan's Reef.. I think in the early 60's you'll hear Barney playing Waipo and some other numbers throughout the entire movie. I remember posting this topic a few years back.
And to Don Kona Woods, I really enjoyed your playing @ Joliet a few weeks ago!
Aloha Oscar...Lefty Steeler 75 |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 19 Oct 2009 7:39 pm Barney recorded a lot of pedal steel work
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I think that Barney's Pedal Steel Playing epitomises the Hawaiian Guitar style of the 50's and 60's.
This is PART of the article in the current issue of Aloha Dream, If you want to learn more and read what Jack de Mello, Webley Edwards and many more world-wide promoters of Hawaiian music and records from the "Hapa Haole" era have to say about the "Signature Sound', then you should subscribe.
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 19 Oct 2009 10:21 pm
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While Barney Isaacs inspired many of us who play Hawaiian Steel guitar, it may interest you know who inspired him.
In a personal conversation, I asked Barney who inspired you as a steel guitar player. He said that his own father, Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs, and Jules Ah See inspired him above all others, and that Jules was the greatest steel guitar player.
I always thought that Barney had such a sweet touch in his playing. 
Aloha, 
Don |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 20 Oct 2009 2:57 am
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Jeff au Hoy
Beyond the Reef
"Steel Guitar Magic"
Some of the finest examples of Hawaiian style ACCOMPANIMENT done on PEDAL Steel by Jules..
Dahil Sa'yo
Princess Poo-Poo-ly
Flowers of Paradise
Noticeable usage of pedals :-
The intro of Da Hill and also 2:37
The solo in Princess Poo-Poo-Ly at 1:24 to 1:47 AND the last chord at 2:25
The Intro of Flowers of Paradise and the chord changes throughout the fills behind the vocal.
This would (In my opinion) be the definitive example of the Hawaiian Side of the Pedal Guitar, disguised pedal usage, as was the way then.
BTW In posting these EXAMPLES I am presuming that the readers of the topic honour the fact that they're for EDUCATIONAL purposes only and NOT for distribution etc.
Furthermore I believe that the recognisable signature sound of Hawaii has been promulgated as much by the pedal steel as any other form of the instrument we are all associated with. Being on the inside (So to speak) we tend to forget just what has instilled the "Signature Sound" in the minds of the general public..
This is a Fender pedal steel just a few days after I first purchased it, Pat and myself
The complete set of tunes from that PRACTISE session are HERE Too bright ? |
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Josh Cho
From:
New York, NY (orig. Honolulu, HI)
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Posted 20 Oct 2009 4:33 am
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Jeff's my hero for playing with The Brothers Cazimero. Not to take away from the Barney thread--but since we're already there 
an absolute must listen is
Some Call It Aloha...Don't Tell by Brothers Cazimero.
....of which the clip you post is from.
Jeff's playing on many songs, but the one you post--Honolulu At The Crossroads--has special meaning to me since Honolulu is my hometown!
Basil, are you saying that Jeff is playing a pedal steel in this clip, if so that totally blows my doors off.
Josh
_________________
Lap-n-Console Steel Guitar Lessons |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 20 Oct 2009 5:04 am
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| Josh check out reply # 12 HERE |
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Josh Cho
From:
New York, NY (orig. Honolulu, HI)
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 20 Oct 2009 9:48 am
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Sorry Josh, it's a HSGA "members Only" section so obviously i CAN'T post the FULL content :- BUT this is what Guru Bill Wynne said..
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author=basilh The 'SKINNY" is in the questions I asked ...
As a preamble I must say that I RARELY listen to any steel guitar music analytically and in depth, I just look (Listen) to the overall canvas.
Well, whilst driving down the M1 coming home from a Gig, I played a CD and decided to work out the tunings the players were using - did I get some surprise!.
Would anyone like to venture what tunings are in use on this album ?
Have fun.
BTW what date was this recorded it's the Jack de Mello presents "Steel Guitar Magic"
Namely, What tunings do you think are in use, and the date of the recording..
The relevance being, as an example, you said (Or almost said) { "Steel Guitar Magic" is one of my favorite albums}
So your favorites include the Pedal playing of Danny Stewart et al. ?
How many of the community have realized that it features a lot PEDAL Hawaiian guitar ?
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Bill Wynne said:-
"I thought this was common knowledge. Barney played pedals when the spirit moved him, and since Billy was playing pedals on most of his 60's sessions, I suppose Barney thought, "What the heck? Me, too!"
The beauty of the mystery, however (and I believe this is what Baz is alluding to), is that we are talking about two players who used pedals so subtly that they were often hardly noticeable. This is how they managed to continue using them without receiving the scorn of other steel players in Hawai`i for whom pedals were anathema.
I mean... When Freddie Tavares played pedals it was quite noticeable. When Barney, Billy, and Jules played pedals, they really used them tastefully and sparingly - enough so that their playing is still considered quite "Hawaiian."
Hence, the sarcastic "magic, indeed." `Twas not magic. `Twas pedals.
In case you have never heard him do it, Jeff Au Hoy has the knack for using pedals in this subtle manner, as well. He has only recorded with four or five artists but has only used the pedals once - with the Brothers Cazimero. I will post a few of those excerpts here later. I only figured out that he was using pedals as Baz figured it out for "Steel Guitar Magic." At first blush, it sounds as if he is playing non-pedal steel in A6 or B11. But as I was trying to figure out some of Jeff's riffs I realized - eventually - that you can't slide two frets from CMaj7+2 to Am. Later, particularly from intros and endings, I heard clearly that some notes can't be moving while others are standing still. Some of these suspensions are beautiful."
Jeff Au Hoy Playing Pedal Steel
BTW (Basil Talking Again) Josh if you join the HSGA you'll have access to a myriad of "Inside Information" |
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Josh Cho
From:
New York, NY (orig. Honolulu, HI)
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Posted 20 Oct 2009 10:51 am
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Basil,
Thanks for turning us on to this rarely mentioned topic, absolutely fasincating!
...but it's still "magic" when Barney plays...whether he's stepping on the note or glissing in with the steel, the artist and spirit comes thru.
Aloha,
Josh
_________________
Lap-n-Console Steel Guitar Lessons |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 20 Oct 2009 4:08 pm
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| Don't know about Jeff and pushing pedals, but he can usually play anything he puts his hands on without a problem. A great player regardless of the guitar, but with a long scale frypan. it's very traditional when he plays it. |
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Butch Pytko
From:
Orlando, Florida, USA
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Posted 21 Oct 2009 4:37 pm
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Yes, Barney Isaacs playing was a huge inspiration-in more ways than one. I had the great privilege to meet him in the fall of 1965-courtesy of the U.S. Navy. I think it was at the Moana Loa Hotel featuring the Hawaii Calls show. I also met Eddie Pang there as he was the second steel player in the Hawaii Calls group. Barney invited me over to his bar "The Palm Tree Inn" on Waikiki Beach. That bar became my watering hole & I quickly found out a gathering place for most of the Hawaiian musicians that I met thru Barney. Anyway, Barney & I talked endlessly covering everything about steel guitar, including tunings, brands of guitars, & a lot about Jules Ah See! Barney said, "I learned so much from Jules". I could see why since they both played together on many Hawaii Calls broadcasts & several Hawaii Calls albums. I remember feeling so very disappointed that I came to Hawaii 5 years too late, as Jules Ah See died in 1960.
Concerning pedals-Barney told me some behind-the-scenes-stuff regarding the making of the great album "Evening In The Islands". (The other great steel player on that album was Eddie Pang.) Barney used a pedal steel on that album & I'm guessing it must have been the Fender 1000, D-8, with 8 pedals. He said Webley Edwards bought the guitar & a Fender Rep. brought it from California & set-up the pedals to his (Barney's) specs. Barney then recorded the album with that guitar. After the recording session, Webley Edwards took the guitar & put it in a closet. Barney said that was the last time he saw that guitar!
I'd just like to say it was a thrill of a lifetime to see & hear a real Hawaii Calls broadcast, but the second thrill was a major surprise to me. Back at "The Palm Tree Inn" I was talking to Barney when he said he'd have to leave for a Hawaii Calls rehearsal. Needless to say I begged & pleaded to let me go along & he said sure. We arrived at Webley Edwards studio & Barney grabbed the Fender case, took the blond Fender Stringmaster out & set it up. It was a 3-neck & I noticed that Webley Edwards had used a red label maker to put the words "Property of Webley Edwards/Hawaii Calls" between 2 of the necks. Barney said, "Sit next to me partner". That gave me an excellent view of a master playing. He blew me away with fantastic licks. On an upbeat song he was all over the neck-wow! I remember saying something stupid like "How did you do that?!" Barney just laughed. Anyway, it was an experience that I have never forgotten. I could go on & on about many other things & the other great Hawaii Calls musicians that I met, but some other time.
I wanted to include these 2 pictures that I cherish dearly--Barney playing his Magnatone steel--Barney & me.
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Josh Cho
From:
New York, NY (orig. Honolulu, HI)
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Posted 22 Oct 2009 7:38 am
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Butch,
Your story is phenomenal, what an experience! Just love the old pictures and, again, the pedal steel influence in Hawaiian music.
Never thought this thread would bring up such a treasure trove of stories and info.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Mahalo,
Josh
_________________
Lap-n-Console Steel Guitar Lessons |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 22 Oct 2009 9:31 am
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There are tons of stories just like Butch's still to be told, but too few bother to pass them along.
I for one am ready for the continuing saga of Butch's 1965 Hawaiian exploits.
Cool pix Butch, thanx for sharing! |
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Josh Cho
From:
New York, NY (orig. Honolulu, HI)
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Posted 22 Oct 2009 12:50 pm
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| Ron Whitfield wrote: |
| There are tons of stories just like Butch's still to be told |
Let's bring 'em on then! I for one can't get enough of the stories, it helps bring the music of the masters alive for me.
...and what about that mysterious D8.... 
Josh
_________________
Lap-n-Console Steel Guitar Lessons |
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