Different Styles

About Steel Guitarists and their Music

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David Mason
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Post by David Mason »

I can see John Paul Jones steel is a doubleneck with Hipshot Trilogy bridges - anyone know more? Scale, tuning etc. (BTW, I kinda missed the other guys in there :lol: )
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Christopher Fedak
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Post by Christopher Fedak »

Justin Jacobson wrote:
Christopher: I think the heart of this thread was styles of music aside from country that have steel in it. We may have drifted from that but the Zepplin counts. I rarely listen to III so I kinda forgot there was steel on there.
Yeah, I guess that's true (and I did lose sight of that original premise) - I was also kind of thinking along the lines of Pagey's parts being 'typical' country licks in a rock setting. Or possibly a better way to state it - us Zep fans thought it was ultra cool, but real PSG players probably had a big yawn. :D

Personally, I do have to say that I pretty much dislike country*, which used to mean that I'd either have to listen to it to enjoy some great steel (and truth be told, most of the other instrumentation as well), or not listen and miss out on the PSG players. Good to know that there are a lot more options than I'd originally thought.

*My caveat is that I really don't like country vocals, and more specifically male country vocals, and even more specifically male new country vocals. :mrgreen:
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Christopher Fedak
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Post by Christopher Fedak »

David Mason wrote:I can see John Paul Jones steel is a doubleneck with Hipshot Trilogy bridges - anyone know more? Scale, tuning etc. (BTW, I kinda missed the other guys in there :lol: )
I know his electric instruments are made by Hugh Manson in England (his brother Andy Manson does any acoustic stuff, like the triple neck from the Zep days). One neck is tuned to E and the other A, but, although I thought it would be easy to find info (and I swear I read an in depth write up a long time ago), I can't actually find too much now. :/
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Daniel Morris
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Post by Daniel Morris »

While I've never been much of a rock fan, I did own a Led Zeppelin record many years back. I had no idea Jimmy Page played pedal steel! Thanks for putting that on here, Christopher. ( http://www.jimmypageonline.com/ has his discography with credits)
And thanks to John Norris for the info on Blixa, first-hand no less.

I don't know if this got posted anywhere else, but I bought the physical disc of SORE AND STEAL, a British duo featuring David Rothon on pedal steel: http://www.myspace.com/soreandsteal
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amps w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Origin, Eventide, Pigtronix.
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David Mason
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Post by David Mason »

I don't know if this got posted anywhere else, but I bought the physical disc of SORE AND STEAL, a British duo featuring David Rothon on pedal steel: http://www.myspace.com/soreandsteal
Whoa - I misread that for a second. I though it said "David Roth on pedal steel..."

Image

That would be one I'd kinda go out out of my way way... to miss. :whoa:
Justin Jacobson
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Post by Justin Jacobson »

David Mason wrote:
I don't know if this got posted anywhere else, but I bought the physical disc of SORE AND STEAL, a British duo featuring David Rothon on pedal steel: http://www.myspace.com/soreandsteal
Whoa - I misread that for a second. I though it said "David Roth on pedal steel..."

Image

That would be one I'd kinda go out out of my way way... to miss. :whoa:
Are we talking something like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Olk8rZml ... re=related

Sure it's only dobro but...
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Daniel Morris
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Post by Daniel Morris »

Cool, Justin!
Alan Jackson nailed it, didn't he - everybody's gone country!
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amps w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Origin, Eventide, Pigtronix.
Justin Jacobson
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Post by Justin Jacobson »

What can I say, I'm a sucker for David Lee Roth. The man is the greatest clown since Jerry Lewis.

But back to some steel.

Some cool steel on a hazy pop number
Lorna - The Swimmer:
http://www.words-on-music.com/WM17.html

Another hazy pop number, by a much more recognizable artist
John Lennon - You are here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bk8yV5fM5M

The newer folk pop stuff is a goldmine of cool pedal steel. Nothing fancy, just great accompaniment for the song.
The Dimes - Save me Clara (as well as many other from the album)
http://thedimes.net/album/the-king-can- ... arbour-dry

How about some Ennico Morricone meets Rockabilly?
Tiger Army - Outlaw heart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkn24yxDoJ4

Or some lap Steel with Blur
Blur - Sunday sunday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZdQgBcTo-A

Steel all over.
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Daniel Morris
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Post by Daniel Morris »

Thanks a lot, Justin!
I think this band's been mentioned on the Forum, but here are a couple videos of OR, THE WHALE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAa_72JjHk4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUkiMA-AXFI
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amps w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Origin, Eventide, Pigtronix.
Pete Burak
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Post by Pete Burak »

A quick clip of "Sleepwalk" played by Robert Randolph at the very beginning of this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ornVV2luW20
Justin Jacobson
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Post by Justin Jacobson »

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Daniel Morris
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Post by Daniel Morris »

Mining BJ's vast catalog, eh, Justin?
Hard to say enough about the man's talent and huge ears.
Nice selection of pieces once again!
I didn't know BJ had recorded with REM:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CYitiDJPTE
Just what style doesn't he play?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY1j1IMD ... re=related
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amps w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Origin, Eventide, Pigtronix.
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John Phinney
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Post by John Phinney »

GFI Ultra D-10 8x5/Sarno Freeloader/Telonics volume pedal/Fender Super Six Split Cab with a 1x15 BW
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Elton Smith
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Post by Elton Smith »

Ok here goes.This is my first recording on pedal steel guitar.They wanted it a little cheesy I thought they meant pitchy.The only place we could post it right now was on the website.It will load when you get there. www.lastcalloutlaws.com
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Daniel Morris
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Post by Daniel Morris »

That's cool, Elton! After 40 years of trying to play precisely, it's always a pleasure to hear that newbie sort of edge. Some of the posts in this thread have that, and while we all strive to play more professionally, there's a spark in a new player that us long-timers should try to reignite.
Last edited by Daniel Morris on 4 Oct 2011 2:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amps w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Origin, Eventide, Pigtronix.
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Elton Smith
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Post by Elton Smith »

Thanks for yalls sympathy on my playing.But some where down the line we lost some steel playing.In my opening thread its says including country.I wanted to listen to all forms of steel guitar.Thanks to all.
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Daniel Morris
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Post by Daniel Morris »

You're right, Elton, I'd forgotten the original post. My post is amended.
And no sympathy - I meant my words as a compliment. You did well on your recording. My thinking was analogous to art: painters missing the straightforward, honest and naive quality children have when making art, tried to recapture it.
As musicians, I believe we may obsess about technique over music for the joy of playing it.
These have been posted and debated, but seem appropriate to what I'm trying to say: just play!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBjeVvZ7Dgw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLU8C9WeIH8
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amps w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Origin, Eventide, Pigtronix.
Ted Solesky
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Different style

Post by Ted Solesky »

I do Cold,cold, Heart in my own style on U Tube. My friends preached to me about having your own taste and style. I liked the Emmons taste and Lloyd style. I tried to mix the 2 but will never come close to their level. They are gifted. Ted
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Mike Anderson
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Post by Mike Anderson »

Got a theory I've been working on: let's maybe call it "Jake Shimabukuro Syndrome".

It's what happens when people obsess on the tool rather than the music it makes, and causes them to think it's staggeringly original when, for example, a ukulele is used to play "Bohemian Rhapsody", or a steel is used to play "Purple Haze".

The tool becomes the central thing, not the music, so anything in the traditional repertoire of the instrument is considered dated and done-to-death. I think it's probably a branch of neophilia, which infects our entire culture like a parasitic organism; people are never satisfied and are constantly striving to obtain, or if in the entertainment industry, to appear to be the newest, latest, greatest, freshest.

As a singer I used to admire once said: that crap don't fizz on me. Less is more, newer is not necessarily better, and if it was good then it's still good now. It's our whole damn musical culture that needs rehab, not the steel guitar. If that's "negativity", it doesn't trouble me; never equated honesty with negativity myself, and I know I'm not alone thinking this way.
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Elton Smith
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Post by Elton Smith »

Some of the best advice I have heard.Thanks and worth thinking on.
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Post by Mike Daly »

Wow...
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Post by Jim Robbins »

Don't think this one's been posted yet: Little Feat's "All that you dream", Linda Rondstadt live version, steel footage at 1:34. Dan Dugmore I guess but stand to be corrected.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q7yOsSD ... re=related
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Elton Smith
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Post by Elton Smith »

Heres something a little different. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1GdwzQyHYk
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Daniel Morris
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Post by Daniel Morris »

Just started investigating Trapist, which includes Martin Siewert on various instruments, including lap and pedal steel. You can hear it around the middle of this piece:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRztNVnjfAg
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amps w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Origin, Eventide, Pigtronix.
Justin Jacobson
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Post by Justin Jacobson »

Elton, for the record I really like that track you posted of you playing. It's miles above what I could have done with that song.

Anyway, I've been going through a 4AD (British record label) phase. I'm a sucker for slow dreamy music, I can't get enough of it. And this band I have mentioned before, but I really like what they do with the steel.

Mojave 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VLWdDCK ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qSflnhb ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89eAUxHW1E4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEC0Y4-Z ... re=related
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