Neil Young talks about Ben Keith's steel sound

[robert kramer]

On Monday, Neil Young appered at the Country Music Hall of Fame to promote his new CD "International Harvesters - A Treasure" - live concert recordings culled from 85 shows of his 1984 - 85 tour. More than that, he paid tribute the musicians who created his 1980's country sound - especially: Rufus Thibodeaux, Pig Robbins and Ben Keith. Large photos were displayed across the stage and Neil went to each photo and spoke of there musicianship and there contributions to his music.

Here is video from the Nashville Tennessean. Watch for Neil Young describing Ben Keith's steel sound:

http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2011 ... -treasure/

No less important are the other musicians on the tour and recording: Spooner Oldham, Tim Drummond, Karl Himmel, and Anthony Crawford.

[Ron Whitfield]

To me, Rufus on fiddle was the revelation! I've seen short footage of some Neil gig where Rufus just blew the roof off, can't wait to hear this new one.

[Bob Blair]

Very cool, thanks for posting that.

[Mark Eaton]

Anyone who has been around the block a few times and is a musician or a long-time music fan has an opinion about Neil Young - some good, and some maybe not so good. I'm from the "good" school.

The link below is to a longer video (13:05) about the International Harvesters that was done several months ago.

After watching this, even the non-Neil fans would have to admit that the man is gracious, and showed a tremendous amount of class in how he heaped accolades on these great musicians and bandmates. I urge you all to watch the whole thing but if you are short of time, the part about Ben Keith starts at 5:25.

And as shown in the other video that Robert linked, Neil obviously had a tremendous, brotherly love for Ben and a huge amount of respect for him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxEaQZUPSL4

[Jonathan Shacklock]

Thanks for the links. It felt incredibly sad when Neil said he would never perform the songs Ben played on with anyone else - an amazing tribute to the man.

I recently tried playing Heart of Gold with a band - put a lot of practice into the relatively simple licks but I came nowhere close to the feel and touch of the original (which by all accounts was recorded in one or two takes with little or no discussion). Whatever he played was just the most tasteful, memorable part anyone could have played, in the fewest notes possible.

[James Nottage]

OK. I do not want anyone to get the wrong idea. I do not normally read the "Wall Street Journal." Today at lunch in a Subway, however, there was a copy of the latest WSJ and on page D5 is an article entitled "Reflections of a Southern Man." Of course you professional musicians out there probably read this every day as you plan your stock swaps and investing the latest stack of royalty checks and as a result have already noticed this piece by John Jurgensen. If not, take a look. It recaps a bit of history leading to the re-release of "A Treasure" and provides a few interesting comments about Young's earlier steps into country music including "Old Ways" from 1985. The only picture with the article is a shot of Neil Young in 1984 with Ben Keith in the background and there are concluding comments about Young's acknowledgement of the great musicians, including Keith, and the fact that "A Treasure" is re-released much as a tribute to these great performers.

Imagine that! Pedal steel guitar positively noted in the "Wall Street Journal;" we have arrived!

James[/i]

[robert kramer]

Here is the Wall Street Journal article James' is referencing:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... tyleArtEnt

[Kevin Mincke]

Ditto Ron! Thanks for posting this Robert

"Let your fingers do the walkin"

[Will Yardley]

Had this song in my head for the last couple of days. Some great shots of Ben Keith playing live with Neil Young just back in 2009.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgUDJDbSwg0

[Jonathan Shacklock]

Will, that was the last opportunity we had to see Neil with Ben in the UK, I'm still kicking myself I missed it. I love contrasting it with the clip of the original rehearsals of "Words" in the barn: http://youtu.be/nN9ytGRAUn8. Anyone know if Ben was playing through a fuzz pedal on the original?

I'm still so sad about Ben passing but I've recently had an out of the blue offer to guest with a local Neil Young tribute band - I could hardly refuse and it's been a joy to sit down and learn his parts from Words, Albuquerque, Roll Another Number, Winterlong, Heart of Gold, Old Man etc. So understated and perfect for the songs. Looking forward to getting out and playing them soon.

On a somewhat related note Neil Young fans might be interested to read this interview with Larry Cragg, NY's long term guitar tech - also happens to be a steel player (see p10) http://www.tonequest.com/pdf_pubs/sampl ... _Proof.pdf

I know Neil has sworn off replacing Ben but surely Larry would be an obvious and worthy successor??

[Joe Goldmark]

Hi Jonathan,

Nice to see Larry Cragg getting mentioned. He's a great guy and an excellent musician, and even better gear tech. That's a great article.

BTW, I got to hang out with Ben Keith when Peggy Young (Neil's wife) played at Amoeba Music where I work. Two weeks later he was dead. I was going to send him some G.O.O. transcriptions from when he played with Faron Young in the late 50's /early 60s. He was a commercial player in those days and a good friend of Jimmy Day.

Joe

[Jonathan Shacklock]

Joe, a recent Bobbe newsletter mentioned Ben as part of a "Steel Player Rat Pack" back in the day http://pedalsteelmusic.com/?p=745 . I'l have to listen to those Faron Young records with Ben. Great that you got to spend some time with him.

Interesting to read that a tube amp guy like Larry plays pedal steel through Peavey amps. I'd like to hear more of his views on this and more about Ben's rig. He had a great tone in the Heart of Gold movie through the Deluxe. (I sent the article to the guy in my NY tribute band and he said he'd already read it and then installed Larry's bypass switch in his "Old Black" guitar )