Mike Perlowin's music

Joe Goldmark · Post by **Joe Goldmark** » 30 Oct 2003 8:13 pm

Having read this topic top to bottom, it seems to me that Stephen did get more sarcastic than was appropriate, but has apologized. It's time to move on. I would like to add that Mike is totally comitted to playing classical music on the steel guitar. To that end he spends a lot of time and money. I like some of the results and some I'm not so crazy about. However, I love that he does it, and think that he pushes the envelope. Sometimes I wish that it sounded more "steel like" and less mechanical, but I have no idea how one could play entire symphonies on the steel and do any better than Mike does. Congratulations to Mike and his singular vision.

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 30 Oct 2003 8:41 pm

Ron Page, John McGann--I don't hear YOU apologizing to me, and John, you called me a fool.
Ron,please read my post again, till you get it, OK? PLEASE?
Tony? ET TU???
And Carl Dixon, my brother---how hastily you judge me---I must say I'm disappointed in you.
As for variance in steel guitar music, I applaud it. Jeff Lampert's stuff amazes me, as does Robert Randolph. This is too much of an instrument to be restricted to 1-4-5 country music.
And the studio is a musical instrument, too. Look at how well the great producers like Phil Spector, Harold Bradley, or Sam Phillips played it.
But this is drifting again. I think some of you "got it," and some didn't. So it goes. But please don't hurt me anymore.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 30 Oct 2003 10:42 pm

First, I wish to thank everybody for all your kinds words and support. I don't have the necessary language skills to convey how much it means to know that I have so many friends and supporters.

Earlier I said that I come here to talk about this instrument we all love, and not to fight with anybody or flame anyone. I'm sure everybody here feels the same way. This forum is too precious a resource for all of us to allow it to deteriorate into a war zone.

Accordingly, I'm asking everybody not to flame or pick on Stephen. I trust that he has realized that there is no room on this forum for any kind of nastiness or hostility or attempts to belittle one another.

We all don't always agree, but we all need to treat each other with dignity and respect.

I wish to make a few personal statments: For starts, I am not a great player. I'm a competent one (by professional standards) but that's all. Here in L.A. there are any number of guys who can blow me out of the water with one hand tied behind their back. Mike Johnstone, Rick Schmidt, Doug "Earnest Bovine" Livingston, J.D. of course, Al Vescovo, John McClung, Gary Brandin. I'm sure there are others. The quality of my CDs are more a testament to my skills as a recording engineer than as a player.

I do not think, and never said, that country music is artistically inferior to other kinds of music, or that country music fans are not as intelligent as listeners of other kinds of music. I do say that country is not as harmonically complex as jazz or classical music, and as a matter of personal preference, I prefer listening to these more complex forms, I also prefer listening to instrumental music, and in particular music that I can't play myself.

I respect country music, and country players. However I don't think it's the only music in the world, and I believe that to confine the steel to it and nothing else is to do an injustice to our instrument. I firmly believe that the steel is capable of playing many in different genres beside country. I've made it my personal mission in life to use the to play other kinds of music, and to expose it to people who do not listen to country. My primary goal in recording my classical stuff is not to turn lovers of the steel guitar on to classical music, but to turn lovers of classical music on to the steel guitar.

Finally, I want to say that my language and people skills are sometimes lacking, and I don't always phrase things correctly, and some of the things I've written have been misinterpreted. My occasionally poor choice of words has antagonized a few people in the past, but I never meant to offend anybody and I apologize to anybody who feels that I've insulted them.

Even you Stephen.

BTW, Tony P is right about my Telecaster. It is quite simply the single finest Tele I've ever played. Everybody who has played it has said the same thing. I actually bought another one the day before I got this one, but when I saw this one I loved it so much I sold the other one at a loss so I'd have enough cash to to put a deposit on it. In terms of money, I screwed up and wound up paying more than I should have, but that was 28 years ago, and I still have this wonderful guitar that has made me happy all this time.

I own 22 guitars, but this one is my hands down absolute favorite, and if I could only have one, without question, this would be it.

Richie Chiasson · Post by **Richie Chiasson** » 31 Oct 2003 12:18 am

Hey Steve,

I don't know you, but I think your comments regarding Mike Perlowin's ability or lack of it are wayyyy off base. I've met Mike personally, I admire his music, and I certainly admire him for investing the time and effort to create these cd's of his.

Les Paul was a pioneer in the art and techique of re- re- re-recording and I admit total ignorance in this field, but sir, do you find "problems" with Les Paul's music as well?

I've quickly scanned thru most of these posts, (at 3:00 in the morning, the only time I can spare for this kind of stuff these days), and I have a copy of that video, that I donated $30 for to help the GREAT Curley Chalker when he needed a couple of bucks. Mike produced the tape "on his own dime" as someone said, and got SCOTTY to help him duplicate and market it.

Now if SCOTTY works with Mike......then that's more than good enough for me

In closing, Steve, may I respectfully suggest you find another "hobby" and leave Mr Perlowin alone.

Respectfully submitted,
Richie Chiasson

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 31 Oct 2003 3:18 am

Ok..chill..Steve and I go way back..( last year)..

After re-reading I conclude that he is still the same ol'e nutty Stephen..in his wacky humour sarcastic way..

I think we need to give him the benefit of the doubt here..those that know him ( and still like him) understand that he is just a Southern Dobro, Guitar, Steel dude from no-where SC...

Stephen is a very talented musician and recognizes others as well. I doubt he thinks Mike is a flunky..He's just havin' some fun and I guess it went over our heads..

I say..he posted his apology and feelings later in the thread ..lets leave it alone..

We all do this now and again..well not me..I'm totally perfect..just ask my wife..wait... not the first one...

The only real problem I have with my friend Stephen is that he thinks his guitars are better than mine...

tp[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 31 October 2003 at 03:20 AM.]

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 31 Oct 2003 4:43 am

Would somebody please kill this thread before it catches a second wind?

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 31 Oct 2003 5:44 am

"BLAM !"[This message was edited by CrowBear Schmitt on 31 October 2003 at 05:44 AM.]

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 31 Oct 2003 5:49 am

Joe and Jim are right. It's time for everybody to move on.

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 31 Oct 2003 7:53 am

One of the truisms that seems to have been often supported by forum post history is that the printed word doesn't always communicate the total meaning of the writer. While it does seem that "everybody's got an agenda", we don't always know just what it is, and we might be better off giving each other some slack, support and helpful advice. Steve's original post asked about Mike's music, and I think he's gotten a good look at how many forumites find it refreshing, innovative, and progressive. I'm always thrilled when somebody tries to take PSG down other roads than the "tried and true" commercial country route. It's very likely that efforts such as Mike's, Dan Tyack's, Gary Brandin's, Robert Randolph's, etc. will be what keeps PSG alive in the near future. Now if Mike had only cut 'West Side Story" on a Black PP he'd probably have a major label deal as we speak. (That would be sarcasm)...

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 31 Oct 2003 9:29 am

Steve,

We're always at risk in "reading between the lines" especially with online communications. I was not only interpreting your remarks but also the replies, including Mike's own reply. I'm sorry, Steve, if I misunderstood what was going on here.

Ron

Post by **b0b** » 31 Oct 2003 10:18 am

FWIW, I took Steve's original post at face value, and responded with my impressions of Mike's LIVE music. My review of his Firebird Suite CD is in the Forum catalog:

This astonishing work turned the steel guitar community on its ear when it was released in 1997. It features early 20th century classical works with a U-12 pedal steel playing most of the parts. I'm familiar with the orchestral works that Mike has presented here, but I never expected to hear them on the steel guitar. Neither did the composers, I imagine! This is one of my all-time favorite CDs.

I moved this topic from the 'Music' section, because it is about a 'Steel Player'.

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<img align=left src="http://b0b.com/Officeb0b.gif" border="0"> Bobby Lee
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System Administrator

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 31 Oct 2003 11:43 am

Thanks, b0b. That means that you, and Donna Dodd, "got it." Nowhere have I put Perlowin down, yet I'm being torn apart like Roy Horn in Vegas! WHAT HAVE I DONE, HERE, PEOPLE???

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 31 Oct 2003 1:18 pm

Richie, ever hear of the "les Paulverizer?" Basically, a controller for a tape machine, so Les could do his stuff live. But I think Mike would tell you, he's no Les Paul. I mean, I can turn on an electric light, but that doesn't make me Thomas Edison, now, does it?
I've said all I need to say to Mike Perlowin. My post said nothing derogatory about him, I only inquired about his live playing.
AND, it seems that most of you, who've chosen to kick me around, are not from the South. I know there's a real anti-Southern feel among a lot of you, but can't you see past that?
And I've heard Les live, without gimmicks. He's nothing short of amazing!

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 31 Oct 2003 1:25 pm

Oh good. Now that we're off Mike's case we can relive The Civil War.

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HagFan

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 31 Oct 2003 1:29 pm

Ron, nobody, and I mean NOBODY, was on Mike's case. They're on mine!
(I'm not paranoid, just observant)

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 31 Oct 2003 1:48 pm

b0b, I've got an idea. I started this whole misunderstanding, that's led to a lot of grief, dissension, and name-calling. Now that MOST people(such as yourself) understand that I was not trying to assault Mr. Perlowin, and a lot of other peoples' feelings have been hurt, can we close this thread? I've said all the nice things I can think of, and I respect the Forum too much to start fighting, as some have already begun to try to do. So, lock it down, if you don't mind.

Slim Lattimer · Post by **Slim Lattimer** » 31 Oct 2003 5:28 pm

I would like to seize this opportunity to relay a bit about Mike "the mentor" in addition to commenting on Mike's music. His dedication to his work on "Firebird Suite", "West Side Story" and his current string quartet project speaks for itself, let alone what has already been stated above in this thread. When I first met Mike in 1996 I just got started picking PSG, and we became friends. He has always been the first to offer words of inspiration and encouragement to the newbies he has met, and has given me many spontaneous free lessons. It was he who called me and gave me a gentle shove into my first gig with a band. He thought that I was ready for some country pickin' and took the time out from his busy recording schedule to escort me to the gig, introduce me to the bandleader, and gave me some great advice. One thing he said in particular was "remember, we steel players do not have to come in on the one". Anyway, I was not as ready for gig as I thought I was, but Mike's push was a great start.
* As far as Mike's playing in a live setting, I have had the pleasure of catching him at his best with blues bands, rock bands, an experimental music ensamble and picking his butt off with a country band in an old honky tonk setting, playing sweet tear jerker stuff and uptempo standards. What's more, is Mike has been the first to show up and support local fund raising benefits, has gone way out of his way to come out to some more recent gigs that I have been playing at, and has been a pal to the newbies and the aces, who have gone to various steel guitar jams here in California. Keep up the good work Mike, and thank you for stretching the boundaries with your projects, and for being "Mike the Mentor". Tom (Slim) Lattimer

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PIGEONS

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 31 Oct 2003 6:18 pm

Before this thread is closed, I want to say that Steve and I have "kissed and made up." The misunderstanding that started this all has been cleared up, and I am confident that from now on, he and I will be great friends.

I guess it's really true that all's well that ends well.

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 31 Oct 2003 6:21 pm

Post by **b0b** » 31 Oct 2003 6:56 pm

Closed at topic owner's request.

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<img align=left src="http://b0b.com/Officeb0b.gif" border="0"> Bobby Lee
-b0b- quasar@b0b.com 

System Administrator