Barry Sless

Dayton Osland · Post by **Dayton Osland** » 21 Sep 2002 3:32 am

Hi

I saw the David Nelson Band in Madison WI last Friday (13th). The band was outstanding! First set was semi-acoustic and featured a lot of blue grass and old time songs with extended jams. The second set was electric and included a wide range of material including New Riders and Grateful Dead. They played loud enough to be heard but you didn't go home deaf. The vocals were clear above the instrumentation. Very professional!

Barry Sless was absolutely amazing. His lead guitar on both electric and acoustic was spectacular (very strong Garcia quality). However, his steel is out of this world. He plays fast and interesting. Some of his solos went on for several minutes and I don't believe I heard the same phrase used twice. He uses triplet runs that are precisely timed and exactly on key. Even though he plays a single neck Shobud (3pedals, 5 knees), several songs sounded like they were being played in C6. His tone control was great as well: He was bright on some songs and dark and moody on others. He did some bagpipe stuff on a traditional Irish tune (sorry I can't tell a jig from a reel) and then flew through solos that might be traditionally done on violin or mandolin.

I half jokingly asked him if he had any material tabbed out and he said "I don't really know what I'm going to play until I do it".

If you get a chance to see these guys, do it! They are friendly and accessible.

I'm going to try to get a sample of some of Barry's material submitted on "Rebel, Ricky and Jeff's" sample site.

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 21 Sep 2002 6:48 am

Forumite DJ Rupert has been singing Sless' praises for a couple years now. I haven't had a chance to get out and see him, but I will the next time they roll through town

JB

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Fulawka D-10 9&5
Mullen Royal Precision D-10 8 & 5
"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel
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http://www.nrpsmusic.com/index.html

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 21 Sep 2002 8:09 am

Barry is cool.
They were here in Portland recently, and play here a few times a year, so I try to catch them when possible.
He plays a blonde S12 'Bud, with a very original style.
Jam bands rule!

James Winwood · Post by **James Winwood** » 21 Sep 2002 8:46 am

Barry's playing was a huge founding inspiration for me to play this instrument. His was the first pedal steel I've ever seen or heard in person. I remember standing directly in front of him at a festival, nice and spun, listening to him play The Wheel, and getting my socks knocked off while saying, man, I have to get one of those! I thoroughly enjoy the fact that he takes long solos and jams on the steel. I heard him play a gorgeous "attics of my life", instrumental, all on steel about a month ago at Bearsville theatre in woodstock with the DNB. Great player and a real nice guy too. It's nice to see a post about him.

Steve Miller · Post by **Steve Miller** » 21 Sep 2002 9:36 am

Dayton, Barry IS an awesome player, both on guitar and steel. He does play an S12(with lots of knee levers).
A couple of years ago a band I played with (Desert Sage) opened up for DNB at the LaVida Roadhouse and again at a private party for producer,Howard Frieberg. One gig I played guitar and the next on steel. I got SO nervous 'cause I knew Barry was there! When they played right after us Barry just blew my mind. You would never know he "didn't know what he was going to play before he played it". It just shows how well he knows his instrument,and he's equaly talented on guitar.
The guys in the band are really cool, especially the bass player (forgot his name). He said, "looks like you guys are just like us, a bunch of screw-ups havin' fun")

. He's a great bass player and singer. They are true proffesionals, don't miss 'em.

sgm<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Steve Miller on 21 September 2002 at 10:52 AM.]</p></FONT>

Pete Grant · Post by **Pete Grant** » 21 Sep 2002 8:49 pm

Yeah. Barry is a fine player. I've had the opportunity to sit in on steel with the DNB. Had a great time, as you might imagine. I love two steels in a band, though most of the time Barry played guitar. I really like his style of playing.

Bill Laymon is the name of the bass player (www.billlaymon.com). Good cat.

Barry now lives in Marin County, California, and when he's off the road with the DNB, he's available for sessions and gigs.

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 21 Sep 2002 9:22 pm

Seems to me that Barry was the steel and guitar player for Cowboy Jazz- a group from Maryland in the 70's and 80's- great stuff and terrific player

Ron Castle · Post by **Ron Castle** » 22 Sep 2002 5:54 am

I heard Barry w DNB in woodstock last year
His steel playing was terrific, only wished he played more steel on that show. I'm sorry
I had to miss the DNB Bearsville show this year.
He's a great player & improviser, too bad you
dont hear more about him.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 24 Sep 2002 3:34 pm

Barry used to play a lot here in this area. A couple of decades ago, I used to watch him and his swing-jazz group Cowboy Jazz, play in downtown Baltimore. While I haven't seen or heard him in many years, I have no doubt he's even better than he was then!

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 24 Sep 2002 4:44 pm

Mike Dennis · Post by **Mike Dennis** » 24 Sep 2002 6:05 pm

damn...

I missed them this time around... performing in Stevens Point Wisconsin.

I heard they did "Dirty Business" A Garcia steel guitar classic.

This is a true... Road House Band

Mike

Dayton Osland · Post by **Dayton Osland** » 25 Sep 2002 7:36 am

It was too bad you missed them. I overheard someone saying they had heard DNB the night before in Stevens Point and had to come down to Madison to hear some more.

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Dayton Osland
Shobud S10