Pedal Steel in Times Square

john widgren · Post by **john widgren** » 17 Oct 2011 9:40 am

Pedal steel in (near) Times Square. Warning: Non country content!!!!

I'm playing this new musical in NYC (Second Stage Theater) called the Blue Flower. Pedal steel, bassoon, cello, accordion, guitar, piano, bass, drums, and many human voices.

The parts are written out, and we work with a great conductor/MD. Big time production values all around.
Serious pros.

Challenging, and fun, with really nice and talented people. Not everybody's cup of tea,but I like doing it. If yer interested, go to the "listen" page at the following site: www.weimarband.com.

What they say is true: The neon lights really are bright on Broadway.

Best to all,

Widgren

Bryan Daste · Post by **Bryan Daste** » 17 Oct 2011 10:21 am

Nice stuff!

Larry Rafferty · Post by **Larry Rafferty** » 17 Oct 2011 11:07 am

Very impressive John
Great blend of instruments and voices.
Thanks for the link.

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 17 Oct 2011 11:09 am

Really nice John! Something to be proud of for sure, and for all of us in the steel community also! Steel is starting to become accepted by people not just into C&W. Bravo!

Who wrote this, and how were the steel parts written out? Was the idiomatic E9 double stop stuff all notated as you played it, or did you get some free rein?

Carson Leighton · Post by **Carson Leighton** » 17 Oct 2011 1:15 pm

Very well done and with great tone.....Cheers,,,Carson

Wally Moyers · Post by **Wally Moyers** » 17 Oct 2011 1:35 pm

Very Nice Playing! Exciting to hear someone play with such great taste!

Lynn Fargo · Post by **Lynn Fargo** » 17 Oct 2011 3:27 pm

Very nice! For sure, to be proud of.

Elton Smith · Post by **Elton Smith** » 17 Oct 2011 4:01 pm

Me too.Nice work very nice.

Bob Mueller · Post by **Bob Mueller** » 17 Oct 2011 4:22 pm

Man thats great John!! Its neat you live close enough to whats happening and getting involved with all kinds of Music.
When you get a chance come by Mexican Hat again and stay longer.
Later Bobby

Monty Laffoon · Post by **Monty Laffoon** » 17 Oct 2011 6:11 pm

Very Taste full John,That is the kind of Playing I like.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 17 Oct 2011 11:17 pm

Very cool. This is another example of the steel being used in new and different genres. Periodically somebody complains about how the steel is dying. This is proof that it's alive, well and growing in popularity and acceptance by people outside of the country music community.

Congratulations John. We're all proud of you.

Jeff Spencer · Post by **Jeff Spencer** » 18 Oct 2011 12:00 am

Great stuff John and well done. I think I will by the CD!

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 18 Oct 2011 12:34 am

I think I will by the CD!

Me too, but how and where?
I want to ad that I especially like the female/male duets on this album, but everything else is stunning too.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 18 Oct 2011 4:25 am

John always plays so well, but I also love these songs! I really enjoyed the piano part on the first song ('Things Don't Change'?).

Best wishes to all concerned for a successful run!

JW was the first steel player I heard 'live' when I came to the USA (Rodeo Bar - mid '90s) - he always manages to stay several steps ahead of me!!!!! Very nice, John.

john widgren · Post by **john widgren** » 18 Oct 2011 10:39 am

To all my friends and FO-Bros.

I am deeply touched an very appreciative of all who have responded with such kindness and comments of support. It means an awful lot to me. Thank you!

I'm running off to the show (the commute is a killer), but will respond to specific inquiries, and personal notes tomorrow...

Till then,

Best to you all and thanks!

Justin Jacobson · Post by **Justin Jacobson** » 18 Oct 2011 1:25 pm

John, that was fantastic. Right up my alley.

Eli Hall · Post by **Eli Hall** » 19 Oct 2011 3:18 pm

Very nice, very cool, very different.

Jim Robbins · Post by **Jim Robbins** » 19 Oct 2011 3:34 pm

Sounds very nice & the show looks pretty interesting, too. Very clever descriptions of the music: “Sturm n’ Twang,” or “Kurt Weill going tete-a-tete with Hank Williams.” Best wishes for a good long run.

mike nolan · Post by **mike nolan** » 21 Oct 2011 8:55 pm

Nice work John.

Is Jen Chapin in the production that you are working on?

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 22 Oct 2011 3:15 am

Very cool John !

Jeff Spencer · Post by **Jeff Spencer** » 22 Oct 2011 3:48 am

I e-mailed the theatre company about the CD but it is only available at the shows.
Cheers all

john widgren · Post by **john widgren** » 24 Oct 2011 6:57 am

The CD "Songs of the Blue Flower" is only available at the show, but if anybody wants it, please contact me. I'll grab a bunch of them and send them to Forumites at whatever the cost is (I'm guessing $15.00 ish) plus shipping. Please contact my personal email listed below, and I'll get you set up.

There is a live version called :Sturm and Twang" on CD baby, but the studio version is much better.

john widgren · Post by **john widgren** » 24 Oct 2011 7:04 am

My friend Jen Chapin is not in this production. (She is on the CD). She is very busy with her solo career and her ongoing artistic/activist collaboration with husband and Contra-bass great, Stephan Crump.

frank rogers · Post by **frank rogers** » 24 Oct 2011 8:35 am

Great work John, superb! Another link here: http://www.americanrepertorytheater.org ... lue-flower

Gus York · Post by **Gus York** » 24 Oct 2011 3:23 pm

John- Just listened to the sound clips of the show-fabulous !
What a breath of fresh air for the PSG, and your part played A1!
Just goes to show this instrument of ours has a place in any genre of music
and will never fade away.
Must get a copy of the studio CD.
Congratulations on a brilliant job.
What is your em to send loot for CD to UK-Your em address does not appear
on your post?

The Steel Guitar Forum

Pedal Steel in Times Square

Pedal Steel in Times Square

Proud of you

Thanks

CD's

Jen Chapin

pedal steel in times square