Who is Fats Kaplin???

Steven Knapper · Post by **Steven Knapper** » 11 Nov 2001 6:02 pm

Being a Nanci Griffith nut, I have most of her stuff and listen to her a lot. On the Other Voices Too CD, the second edition of Other Voices, Other Rooms, there is an Ian Tyson song called Summer Wages. This is a really good song anyway (I like it anyway) but what makes this song soooo good is the steel work by Fats Kaplin. The guy is great on this song. Anyone know anything about him???I'd be interested in knowing who else he has worked with.
Thanx Steve
[This message was edited by Steven Knapper on 12 November 2001 at 08:42 AM.][This message was edited by Steven Knapper on 12 November 2001 at 08:42 AM.][This message was edited by Steven Knapper on 12 November 2001 at 08:43 AM.]

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 11 Nov 2001 7:04 pm

He was and possibly still is a member of Manhattan Transfer.

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Carter D10 9p/10k
Richard Sinkler

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 11 Nov 2001 10:07 pm

I'd think any one working for The Manhan Transfer would be a killer on PSG when it comes to harmony and counterpoint.

Regards, Paul

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 11 Nov 2001 10:50 pm

The All music guide has a little bit of his bio:
http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=R201298#APPEAR

I think he is Europe right now with the Kristi Rose Band. Over the summer he was doing fly dates with Pure Praire League.

He is a multi instrument guy who lives in Nashville. Fantastic musician.

He got me started on the steel when he lived in NYC.

Bob

Steven Knapper · Post by **Steven Knapper** » 12 Nov 2001 8:40 am

Thanks guys, someone always come through!! The guy IS very good.
Steve

John Heinrich · Post by **John Heinrich** » 12 Nov 2001 10:03 am

I played with Fats awhile back on a showcase for a singer/artist, he's a great musician and person.

John

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Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 12 Nov 2001 3:32 pm

Fats had a duo with ragtime blues guitarist Roy Bookbinder in the early 1970s, for some reason they never quite cracked it and Roy has put out a couple of albums since the early 1970s, but has mainly focused on the performing side of things.

Marc Muller · Post by **Marc Muller** » 12 Nov 2001 6:02 pm

We were both in the NYC circuit back in the 80's -90's. I was multi instrument guy with the Surreal McCoys and I think he was multi guy with Tom Russell band. We were both regulars at the old Lonestar, Rodeo Bar, etc. He always sounded great on whatever he was playing. Just like another New York multi instrumentalist, Larry Campbell. Great scene it was back then.

Steven Knapper · Post by **Steven Knapper** » 12 Nov 2001 6:50 pm

Hey Jason, I saw Roy Bookbinder at the Fret House in Covina, Ca. They had a big celler under the store and have concerts for 50 or so people, small and cozy. Late 80's I believe, played by himself.
And Bob, thank you for the link, that was great, played a lot with Nanci----and every one else I guess, Thanks Again!!!
Steve[This message was edited by Steven Knapper on 12 November 2001 at 06:52 PM.]

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 13 Nov 2001 9:14 am

I saw him a couple of times in the late eighties in Toronto with the Tom Russell Band (on one occassion opeining for Ian Tyson). Tom had a great band back then - these days he travels as a duo with Andrew Hardin, who was also with him back when he had a full band and is a great guitar player. Fats played a lot of steel and some accordian. I recall him being a terrific player. And Steven, you are right, "Summer Wages" is a great song.

John Steele · Post by **John Steele** » 13 Nov 2001 12:07 pm

Re; Manhattan Transfer - I saw a Live At Austin City Limits show last year which may have been a rerun - not sure.
Anyway, it was Manhattan Transfer. Their material leaned a little toward jive and western swing, and they had numerous guests including The Wheel's Ray Benson. One of the members of the band backing them up was Fats Kaplin. He played great, and you could tell from the vibe that the whole band was getting a kick out of working with him. He was featured several times.
I believe forumite Steve Hinson has also gigged with Manhattan Transfer a bit.
Regarding "Summer wages", several threads recently have mentioned the seminal "New South" bluegrass album featuring Skaggs, Rice, Douglas, and J.D. Crowe... that is one of the songs on that album. Also very nicely done.
That's one of the songs that emerged from the very lively coffeehouse scene in the Yorkville district in Toronto during the late 60's. Anyone interested in this vibrant little scene should pick up a book called "After the Gold Rush" which paints a great picture of the converging artists of the time; i.e. The Band, Neil Young, Ian Tyson, Ronnie Hawkins, Robbie Robertson, The Lovin' Spoonful, etc.
-John

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 13 Nov 2001 3:54 pm

Roy Bookbinder came out here a few years ago, played a great acoutic venue that recently got closed down. End of an era type stuff, I thought I'd have to be older before that started happening (sigh)

John, in regards to 'After the Gold Rush'..does it have much information on Dewey Martin, the singing drummer who went on to join Buffalo Springfield with Neil Young, etc?