Robert Randolph on Letterman - August 5

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 8 Aug 2003 12:33 pm

I think we all need to get over the notion that the absolute best player is the one who gets to be the biggest star. get that out of your heads, as it almost NEVER happens. Particularly now that look is more important than skill. If you've got the right look, and are a pretty good player, you're in. If you're over 50 but play like no one else, tough. Do studio work and hide from the camera thank you. The world owes Buddy Emmons a great deal, but doesn't know and doesn't care. He doesn't fit the demographic. RR is good for the instrument. Lets get over the fact that the best players aren't the ones getting the mainstream recognition. It's a fact of life. All the whining won't do any good. Nobody says RR is Emmons-but he's already WAY more well known. It's not the industry's obligation to educate the public. Some will find out on their own, most won't. When asked who the best Pedal Steel player is, a few will say Emmons. They will have the honor of knowing they are right. Most, however, will say RR. More will say Garcia. They will be wrong, but their numbers will be large. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. I'll bet E doesn't.

"There's not one person in the music industry, Living or Dead, that hasn't stolen my licks. I've been ripped off by the best. I've toured my entire life, had dozens of number one hits, played for Kings and Queens and Presidents, won a ton of awards, and 90% of the people who hear my licks on a daily basis STILL don't know who I am. But I'm ok." Chuck Berry (from memory, but darn close.-from the Tonight Show with Carson several years ago.)

E's in pretty good company.

JB

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"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

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 8 Aug 2003 12:57 pm

Thanx for the link Brad

i loved every minute of RR+FB

i find that the melody on "i need more Love every Day of my Life" sounds like the instrumental line or melody that the strings(?) played on "Poppa was a Rollin' Stone"(Temps)
Eric W you're right on

Lonnie Johnson,the Black Ace, Son House, Muddy W, Bukkha White, Elmore James, Fred Mc Dowell, One String Sam, and so many more got my vote
when the world's best golfer is Black,
i'm not surprised to see a Sacred Steeler get down and shake things up
Thanx Jeff L, i got a real kick readin'the guitpickers feedback

"i never really dug pedal steel but now i do"

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Steel what?

Bob Watson · Post by **Bob Watson** » 8 Aug 2003 10:59 pm

The music industry doesn't give a rat's a$$ about art/music. They promote older acts because they have a track record and they won't have to spend as much money on promotion. If something new looks profitable they might just take a chance on it. To the powers that be, talent is a given, occasionally real talent sneaks through the cracks. No matter what the different opinions about RR that have been stated in this thread have been, everyone agrees that he has real talent. Lets all hope that the bean counters in the music indurstry see enough potential $$$$ in RR to keep him going. It will be great for the PSG. [This message was edited by Bob Watson on 09 August 2003 at 12:01 AM.][This message was edited by Bob Watson on 09 August 2003 at 12:31 AM.]

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 9 Aug 2003 5:12 am

incidently, looks like RR is only usin' a thumb pick
i don't seem to see any fingerpicks

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 9 Aug 2003 5:50 am

I noticed that too. And I still like his tone.
Your milage may differ.

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 9 Aug 2003 6:01 am

I must admit I had never heard of RR before I came across this thread. So I checked out his website and also downloaded the clip from Letterman,- I'm a fan!

As for the fingerpick issue; I checked the closeups of his pickinghand (from the Letterman clip), frame by frame, and he's using brass fingerpicks that seems to be bent to follow the curve of his fingertips perfectly.

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 10 Aug 2003 5:58 pm

I'm not going to weigh in on Robert's playing. I really like it, but I know I have the context of knowing where it comes from, so I can't help but see his playing in terms of other Sacred Steel players. I love his new CD (I've had a bootleg for a while).

Anyway, in terms of his technique, he probably would say he doesn't pick block, but he actually does some pick blocking in combination with 'bar blocking' (picking up the bar to block single string lines). This technique isn't specific to Sacred Steel players, a lot of hawaiian players and modern dobro players use something like this. One of the defining characteristics of both Roberts playing as well as Chuck Campbell (the guy that Robert learned most of this stuff from) is an unbeliveably strong attack with the right hand. Most of the young Sacred Steel players have adopted this technique of not only fast but *strong* right hand technique. If you look at Chuck's or Roberts right hand versus somebody like Paul Franklin or Joe Wright, you would see an equally fast technique, but one in which there is a lot more pressure applied to the strings. For instance, Robert regularly breaks low wound strings.

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www.tyack.com

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 10 Aug 2003 6:00 pm

By the way, here is a link to a review of a concert with Robert where there is a picture of the two of us jamming: click here [This message was edited by Bobby Lee on 18 August 2003 at 07:40 PM.]

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 14 Aug 2003 6:51 am

A friend has said that for survival of pedal steel guitar we needed someone to become the "Jimi Hendrix of Pedal Steel" Next to the most hellacious sounding pedal steel that I ever heard (Joe Wright) and the wildest display of playing it that I have seen(Rusty Young)-Perhaps R.R. is the closest contender to that title

I wonder if R.R. does a version of "Red House"?

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 14 Aug 2003 11:19 am

Great pictures, Dan. Is he as personable as he appears to be? Looks like you guys were having a great time!!

Ron Turner · Post by **Ron Turner** » 14 Aug 2003 12:03 pm

I think he's awesome. Whether it's a style you like or not it's great to have the steel promoted in all areas of music. I get tired of people asking me what that thing is that I'm playing. Scotty needs to get him to St. Louis to play.

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 14 Aug 2003 2:16 pm

The link to the Letterman performance is not working. Does anyone have a link to a video or audio of it? It was one of my rare nights out playing.

David Rothon · Post by **David Rothon** » 15 Aug 2003 9:04 am

Here's a link to the BBC that enables you to watch RR's performance at the Cambridge Folk Festival a couple of weeks ago (be patient - there ARE lots of close-up shots).
I was there and was totally blown away. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/events/cambridge/video.shtml

Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 15 Aug 2003 9:42 am

The MC stating that RR played "Voodoo Child" on his Web site and was blown away tells me alot. RR is trying to sound like a guitar player. I listened to the BBC audio and was not impressed. If he was a guitar player grabbing those notes, how could you not go and say so what, if you've been around? As a pedal steel player, I really gotta say so what? This is jam band music and not that good really. I know why he's getting all the attention, he's got a great manager. RR is probably gonna sound alot different 5 years from now, but if I was studying pedal steel, he would be the last person I would try and learn from. [This message was edited by Jesse Pearson on 15 August 2003 at 10:44 AM.]

j bradley · Post by **j bradley** » 15 Aug 2003 10:57 am

Hey, wasn't it Liberace who said when he was criticized that he and his brother George laughed all the way to the bank? Hey, this kid he can teach me a thing or two any day! I like his style, I've also heard another player Chuck Campbell and for those who have heard him, I know you agree that these guys are AWESOME! Sure would like to know type strings/guage they use; if anybody out there know, let me know.
JB

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 15 Aug 2003 11:25 am

You'll find his tuning and string gauges here: http://www.sierrasteelguitar.com/aphotos/rrandolph/scm-13sg.html

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 15 Aug 2003 11:28 am

JB, there's a link back toward the beginning of this thread that will take you to RR's new red S13 Sierra at the Sierra site. There they have the copedent with string guages. But be careful, the copedent is given as you would see it with the guitar upside down, like you are working on it. The pedals go from right to left, and the knee levers are placed between the pedals where their cross-shafts would go. It's kind of neat from a setup guys point of view. When you look at the copedent that way, you see exactly what the guitar would look like upside down.

And if you haven't seen it, Chuck Cambell has a new CD out that I just saw somewhere on the web (can't remember where), and you can listen to a few sample cuts.

Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 15 Aug 2003 11:36 am

Well, I've said it before "more power to him, I'm glad he's making it". If you want to learn his style, study guitar. Is it any wonder his manager doesn't have a hot flashy guitarist in the band doing leads or chord comping? A great guitarist in standard and open tuned slide could cut RR from all the stuff I've heard RR doing. I don't hear any of the true potential of a pedal steel in RR playing, wheres the harmony? Try humming any of his jam songs? But, like I said up above, I think as he matures, his approaches and sound will too.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 15 Aug 2003 11:47 am

I've been trying to play that kind of stuff for 30 years. Knowing how it's done on guitar really hasn't really helped me much. I've been learning quite a bit recently by listening to RR's phrasing.

I've always considered the pedal steel to be the ultimate rock guitar, but never had any recordings to prove the point. Robert Randolph has changed that. From what I've heard, I believe that he could hold his own on stage with the Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, etc. My "rock fan" friends (not musicians) agree.

Musicians don't buy a lot of concert tickets or CDs.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
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Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 15 Aug 2003 1:35 pm

RR studies rock guitar players licks, but he's no Dickey Betts, or Jimi or EC when it comes to composition. I admit he can sound close to Duane Allman, so? The one thing that impresses me about all Steel Guitars is the ability to play chords and select intervals together and gliss, I haven't heard RR doing that very much?

No, I don't go to concerts much anymore and I only buy CD's that have songs that I think I can make money learning. In fact, we walked out on Buddy Guy recently for playing like crap and acting weird. I'm not sure what your trying to say with that one Bobby?

I love steel because it can make sounds I can't make on guitar, but I sure don't love steel cause you can kinda make it sound close to a guitar. RR can play pretty fast but his phrasing doesn't inspire me and believe me, I would be waving his flag if it did. RR's steel is no where close to being the ultimate rock guitar, I have to disagree on that one if that's what you meant. We can learn phrasing from any instrument but a steel trying to sound like a guitar seems so limited for such a powerful instrument. I would dig hearing some Grant Green licks etc. thrown into his lines, a little more sophistication would go a long ways.

j bradley · Post by **j bradley** » 15 Aug 2003 5:47 pm

Steinar and David thanks for the info.
JB

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 15 Aug 2003 6:46 pm

Quote: "but he's no Dickey Betts, or Jimi or EC when it comes to composition."

I can agree with that.
I don't play PSG myself, I'm coming from a bottleneck slide/lap steel background and that may be one of the reasons why RR's playing is so appealing to me, but I DO miss the good songs. So far the "I Need More Love" track on his website is the best I've heard songwise.

When comparing him to Hendrix I think it's important to remember that Hendrix probably wouldn't have made the impact he did if he hadn't been such a firstclass songwriter in addition to being a revolutionary guitarist.

Listening to one hour of jamming over two-chord vamps just doesn't do it for me anymore, no matter how great the players are.
Hopefully his new CD shows him as a talented songwriter as well......[This message was edited by Steinar Gregertsen on 15 August 2003 at 07:50 PM.]

Post by **b0b** » 16 Aug 2003 9:49 am

I've just added two of his CDs to the Forum Catalog. Click here.

Travis Bolding · Post by **Travis Bolding** » 16 Aug 2003 11:19 pm

Not impressed. I've been doing that since 1968. Everything from Hendrix to the "James Gang" to "Boston" to Johnny Winter (my favorite). With a little technique and attenton to phrasing, the PSG can easily emmulate an electric rock guitar. RR presents nothing new here for me other than some really awful playing. I hope this fad will soon be over, otherwise we'll all have to play like Jerry Garcia or Robert Randolf to be considered a "good player".

Bob Knetzger · Post by **Bob Knetzger** » 17 Aug 2003 8:45 pm

Just got back from seeing RR live at a record store appearance on a Sunday afternoon in Seattle. He put on a great show! Playing his red 13 string Sierra, he and his band (minus bass player?) blew thru a bunch of tunes from the new CD and one from the live album. Not going to critique his music or his playing, you either get it or you don't. If someone has to explain it to you, ...you wouldn't understand it! (...and the very same thing can be said for a Buddy Emmons C6 jazz/swing/be bop solo, or for a E9 Jimmy Day shuffle...one's not "better" than the other...) Notable was the demographics of the attendees: a real mix of ages, from teens and 20's all the way thru to 50+. Not your usual pedal steel show crowd! RR is showcasing pedal steel to all kinds of new people in a fresh format and that is undeniably good for the instrument. He also stuck around and graciously signed CDs (or even just show posters for non-buyers) til the long line was gone. Very cool.