Question about...Robert Randolph..

slick · Post by **slick** » 8 Jan 2004 5:08 pm

RR makes me look like im in slow motion.The young man is great!!!

Wayne

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 8 Jan 2004 5:40 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Robert is taking steel to another level and we should all appreciate it.
He is talented and helps our small community of steelguitar.
I applaude Robert!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree 100%.

I don't know how well the SS style lays out on a standard E9, but on a U 12, with the missing D string and the extra bass, it lays out quite well. I used to play in a blues rock band, in a style similar to way Robert and the SS guys play, using my regular tuning with no special pedals. (Note- I lower my low B string to A on the A pedal.)

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 8 Jan 2004 5:56 pm

When I see Buddy Emmons and a Band of HIS Scheduled on the Grand Old Opry, I'LL know that attitudes are changing for the better.

I don't remember being 'given' opportunities for any of my endeavors, and especially in Music. I've earned or bought them.

RR HAS earned and/or bought his just like everybody else should from what I understand.

More power to him. Leave us not turn him into something he is not. He's a DAMN good player, and fine young person, Not the "John Henry of the Pedal Steel Guitar" in a battle with the "Redneck Steel Guitar Machine".

HE's maybe the one that should cough up five bucks and type a few words like the rest of us "regular guys". It hasn't hurt Mr's Emmons Franklin, Green (by proxy) or a dozen others.

I get the idea that the people that have "chosen to advocate for him" as a downtrodden, unsung, victim somehow haven't been doing him any favors..

Five Bucks.

That ain't much.

I'd LOVE to ask him a few questions about his technique and/or tuning etc. Maybe even some off topic stuff.

I wouldn't hurt him.

EJL[This message was edited by Eric West on 08 January 2004 at 07:47 PM.]

Charlie Moore · Post by **Charlie Moore** » 8 Jan 2004 6:18 pm

Theresa,you are right RR is taking PS to new places,but i don't dislike him at all i just don't like that type of steel playing,but if you like ok,just don't forget the old hat's that have been playing the same stuff for Year's,but you are right,...cya Charlie...

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 8 Jan 2004 6:40 pm

Charlie,
We'll never forget where we came.
Let's welcome new to keep it growing.

Theresa

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 8 Jan 2004 7:06 pm

Do some people think that by cutting some one down or saying I don't like there playing or style makes them a better player than the one they don't care for Joe

Mike Bagwell · Post by **Mike Bagwell** » 8 Jan 2004 7:32 pm

Ron,
I find your post very offensive. There are many fine people from the southern states on this forum, most of them I know and consider friends. They do not deserve to be lumped togeather with a bunch of idiots that exist not only in one place or country, but all over the world.
Did you really think this post through?

Mike Bagwell

Mark Switzer · Post by **Mark Switzer** » 9 Jan 2004 1:15 am

When I saw him at House of Blues in L.A. he ended the night by turning the amp down,the distortion off,and playing with as sweet and clean a tone as you could ask for. Everyone has a different idea as to what`s "traditional pedal steel" but his performance lacked nothing in technique,musicality, and soul. I have`t heard him play in the Bakersfield idiom but it wouldn`t surprise me if he did.

His chops may not be on the exalted level of an Emmons or Frankin, and he may not live up some of the nonsense being written about him ("The John Coltrane of the Pedal Steel") but there`s tons to learn from him and all the Sacred Steel guys.

My 2 cents.
Mark

Jerry Hedge · Post by **Jerry Hedge** » 9 Jan 2004 1:48 am

Dan Tyack mentioned in his post Chuck Campbell. I had the chance to talk with Chuck and sit down at his guitar this past summer. It's an interesting tuning that I would like to mess around with one day. Chuck played some great E9th and C6th type stuff for me. He plays our stuff better than we could play his! I think to understand what Robert Randolph is doing you should listen to some of his influences like Chuck.

Ernie Pollock · Post by **Ernie Pollock** » 9 Jan 2004 6:33 am

I remember a few years back, before his fame, Robert ordered a Geo L pickup & some parts for his old MSA from me. We talked on the phone & Robert played his steel over the phone for me, some very impressive clean licks at lightning speed. I am sure he could handle the country stuff - but at least he is interesting some young people in the steel guitar, isn't that what we all say we want so that the instrument can move on instead of having to hear 'Way to Survive' another zillion times?? Who knows?

Ernie

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Greg Derksen · Post by **Greg Derksen** » 9 Jan 2004 7:01 am

I've only heard one cut on the Radio, he sounded like a really talented picker that seems to have an extra gear that alot of
other steelers that TRY and rock out, don't have, Its great, it is what it is.
On a similar note, I for one am still blown away with what PF did on Dire Straits record
"On Every Street", the fact that Paul played
clean steel on a rock record in a very classy
way and how well he made it fit, is every bit as great, The whole vibe of the CD from the
grooves, and different textures of all the instruments, is awesome. Greg
[This message was edited by Greg Derksen on 09 January 2004 at 07:16 AM.]

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 9 Jan 2004 7:06 am

Our typecasting of PSG is coming through loud and clear. We don’t require Tele and Strat players to be able to play country before we appreciate what they do in other genres of music. Country steel licks aren’t some sort of pedigree for steel players. They happen to be the only thing I’m interested in playing but I’ll always be just a hacker.

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HagFan

Nathan Delacretaz · Post by **Nathan Delacretaz** » 9 Jan 2004 7:27 am

The guy rocks, he's having a great time, and the timing of all this recognition has been perfect for him, and for the PSG.... RR's success will drastically diminish the number of times we get asked "what's that thing?" Could he do country??? - YES, but why would he want to? He has nothing to prove.... He has complete creative freedom right now.

Imagine you're a saxophone player and your original jazz quartet takes off.... Would you be spending any time worrying about how well you can play James Brown or Meters covers?

Mark Tomeo · Post by **Mark Tomeo** » 9 Jan 2004 7:32 am

I wonder how his playing would have fit in with Roy Acuff's band? Smokey Mountain Boys.

Huh? That's like wondering how Chet Atkins' playing would fit in with Metallica. I don't even understand the question.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 9 Jan 2004 7:35 am

The real problem is how are we going to cut it when we get hired by bands that want us to play like Robert ! The guy not only raised the bar, he put it in a different room.

Bob

Nathan Delacretaz · Post by **Nathan Delacretaz** » 9 Jan 2004 7:39 am

Amen, Bob H. - I reported for duty to a (country) rehearsal last night, and the first thing out of the piano player's mouth was...had I heard of RR.

Terry VunCannon · Post by **Terry VunCannon** » 9 Jan 2004 8:08 am

I think that the comparison of RR to Jimi Hendrix is the best way to look at this. When Jimi came along in the 60's, a lot of people said his music was nothing but noise. A lot of traditional guitar players said he was a no talent. Here we are some 40 years later, and his mark is on rock, blues, jazz and even country style guitar playing. I think that RR will do the same for steel guitar. He is reaching so many new people with his music, that it has to be good for the instrument,both PSG & LS.

Savell · Post by **Savell** » 9 Jan 2004 9:19 am

.[This message was edited by Savell on 31 May 2005 at 01:12 PM.]

Joerg Hennig · Post by **Joerg Hennig** » 9 Jan 2004 10:54 am

Does he ever use a traditional pedal steel sound??

I haven´t really heard a whole lot of Robert´s playing yet, but one tune immediately comes to mind, "Garden Of Love" by the Demolition String Band, a big favorite of mine. Even though it´s a driving rock song, RR plays some real sweet, unobtrusive, clean background licks. I´m sure he can do a lot more than what he´s usually associated with.

Regards, Joe H.

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 9 Jan 2004 11:08 am

Charlie said:

Joe WRight has been doing the same thing for YEAR'S

I have heard this from a number of country players. While I suppose there are some superficial similarities between some aspects of Roberts playing and the rock stuff that Joe does, they are completely different. I understand how people who don't like this kind of music might say that they sound alike, but it's like classical (or rock or jazz) listeners who hate country listening to country and can't hear the difference between Pete Drake and Buddy Emmons or Bashful Brother Oswald ('sounds like twangy noise to me'). Trust me, there is a difference. I'm not saying one is good, and the other is bad, they are just completely different animals.

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www.tyack.com
[This message was edited by Dan Tyack on 09 January 2004 at 11:09 AM.]

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 9 Jan 2004 1:42 pm

The real problem is how are we going to cut it when we get hired by bands that want us to play like Robert ! The guy not only raised the bar, he put it in a different room.

Well, yes and no, Bob. He's definitely raised the bar as far as diversity of the pedal steel. However, the fact that he's put it in a different room, as you say, means I don't have to play like him anymore that he should have to play like Lloyd Green, Weldon Myrick or (fill in the name of any great country steel guitarist).

Have a great weekend everyone and let's all hope that Robert Randolph's success continues for many, many years. Pull for the guy because he's one of us.

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HagFan

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 9 Jan 2004 1:51 pm

I would approach it the same way that I always did when someone wanted to hire me to play like Chalker or Emmons.....and that was, to go ahead and hire Chalker or Emmons!
www.genejones.com

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 9 Jan 2004 5:57 pm

I've heard Joe Wright play some r/r on his guitar but I don't remember it being in the same vain as RR. That's not to say Joe couldn't do it but that I didn't hear it that day. All r/r isn't the same believe it or not. If there can be rock, jazz, country, folk, etc, 6 string guitarists, bassists, horn players, just whatever, then why is RR so criticized because he plays a non-tradional style? It's an instrument that can be played in any style depending on the person behind it. For all of the hardcore country fans or just the anti-rock steelers, (that would be a little more like it I think) why would you want to keep the intsrument in just one or maybe two vains of music? Let me see here, if the drums originated from a log some African tribesman was beating on a gazillion years ago,(and it did) then where would Buddy Rich or Ringo Starr have been if it hadn't gone any further than the jungles of Africa? You can't just hold the thing in this place and time forever and RR thankfully doesn't think that way. You don't have to like the mans music or that style of playing but it broadens the instrument into other fields not yet explored. He's unique in that he plays a pedal steel in a not too traditional tuning in a different setting than most of us are used to seeing and he's also black. For all of the years I worked downtown Nashville only once did a black man come in and play my guitar. I know that this is probably bouncing right off the hardcore country guys here but just tell me if this guy can't play or has no talent then why is he drawing such huge crowds, playing on Letterman and just about every gig any one of us would die to do? I know Nine Inch Nails played some big gigs too but I think this guys a cut above. Sometimes being tradional can get you stuck in the mud. When I first started playing the PSG I played with a band that did mostly r/r and a whole lot of Elvis. Just about every steeler that walked in (no every one) didn't care for what I was doing. I think you should play in the context of the music and if you can't then you're in the wrong place. Now don't you know it would've sounded just great to play a lot crying steel guitar or maybe something that sounded more like it belonged in a Jack Green tune when we did Hunk Of Burning Love..or Hound Dog? Yeah Right!
I think the steel guitar can blend into any style but it never will if the person behind it closes their mind and only plays everythig that's already been done.

Chris Lasher · Post by **Chris Lasher** » 9 Jan 2004 7:03 pm

This is not a race. --Jerry Douglas

Different context, but it still applies here. Music is not a competition. There is room enough for everyone to play.

I have Robert Randolph and the Family Band's Live at the Wetlands CD and I do enjoy it; listened to it today. I will continue to explore his music, and will catch his shows that come through here.

I will say that RR has done wonders in exposing the instrument to people of my generation. The few friends of mine who have heard the words "pedal steel guitar" know what it means because "that's the thing that Robert Randolph plays." He is a hard working musician and an excellent ambassador, in my opinion.

I find likening him to Jimi Hendrix is off. I think Hendrix blew people away not because of his fuzzed-out guitar and onstage energy, but because of his songs. I feel Hendrix composed, whereas I feel Randolph finds grooves and jams with them. Different approaches to music.

Chris Walke · Post by **Chris Walke** » 10 Jan 2004 7:26 am

"this is not a race" - Jerry Douglas

Yeah! Easy for him to say!!