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Topic: For those of you that have been there.............. |
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 17 Jun 2007 4:43 pm |
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Recently had the opportunity to view an old video of one of the greatest musicians (steel player) of all times. He, with a friend, was seated with a "Panda" lap steel on his lap and listening to recorded cuts of earlier steel players that were being played for his amazement.
He would listen intently, and you could see him attempting to visualize what was being played and/or how it was being done. He'd then jump in and attempt to play it note for note, much like many of you olde timers have been doing for decades.
And you know what?
He experienced the same difficulties that I have over these many years, and I'm sure that some of you have done likewise.
I only share this with you because I had always envisioned that the top pro's could sit down and play anything they heard instantly and without error. I'm very happy to acknowledge that some of them experienced the same frustrations we have while attempting to figure out someone else's style and playing plan.
During my long, long day drives in the REALLY BIG TRUCK, I"ve listened hour after hour to my own playing on Manny K's award winning Hawaiian CD's and listening to it.......I find that in some instances I can't for the life of me, figure out WHAT I DID or HOW I DID IT! So if you're trying to pick up a new tune in this way, don't feel the least uncomfortable, but just keep digging at it. Figuring it out is as much fun as finally playing the first time. |
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Ray Minich
From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
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Posted 18 Jun 2007 7:12 am
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Me thinks my favorite steeler's line is... "What the he!! was that?..." 
Then, jump on the seat and try to figure it out. |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 18 Jun 2007 9:52 am
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I often wonder how I played something that I recorded years ago. I think it's one of the effects of CRS disease. 
A steel player I know went back to the studio to add some more tracks to a CD project. The producer said "Listen to this" and played a song from the previous session.
My friend was surprised and delighted by his own steel part. "Wow, that's pretty cool! I played that?"
The producer smiled and replied, "Yes, but not all at once." 
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-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video |
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Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 18 Jun 2007 11:15 am
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Ray, back in the early eighties I was playing a club in North Long Beach, Cal. One Sunday we had a benefit and jam session for an ill musician. The great leadman Al Bruno was on guitar and I was on my old 12 string ShoBud. One of the guests (Billy Smith) did a pretty fast version of "Workin' Man Blues" and Al did his usual bang up job. When my steel ride came it was like devine intervention or the caliber of musicians I was working with, but I did a break with a couple of fast riffs that to this day I have absolutely no idea how I played them. I have it on cassette tape and also a VCR tape but it's too blurry. I think for one moment in time I played above my head and I sure wish I could do it again..........JH in Va.
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Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!! |
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Randal Smith
From:
Nashville, TN, USA
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Posted 18 Jun 2007 6:48 pm
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Once upon a long time ago, a fellow I was working with landed on a small independent Nashville label called Corey Records, owned by songwriter Dallas Corey. Dallas told me a story of how he once cut a demo session using Curly Chalker on steel. When Curly came in to cut the demo he was (to put it mildly) high as a kite. He set down behind his steel, cranked up his Echoplex and proceeded to play some of the most fantastic stuff ever recorded by anybody. I know, I heard it. Problem was, the overall quality of the demo was terrible, and the mix was worse. A few months later, Dallas decided to do a master session of the song, and called upon Mr. Chalker to recreate the steel part. Upon hearing the demo, Curly's comment was "Who in the hell is that playing steel?", to which Dallas replied, "That's you, you damn fool!" He never did manage to recreate his part. I know, because I heard the demo and the master tape.
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Randal Smith alias Smitty the Kid
Nashville, TN
Simmons SD10
Warmoth Custom Guitar
Gibson GA-20 Amp
"We have enough youth, how about a Fountain of Smart?" |
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James Harrison
From:
New Brockton, Alabama, USA
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Posted 18 Jun 2007 7:39 pm
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| Now this I understand. I quit playing by sheet music in the early 1960s, and I dont play Tabs. I play what I feel in the music and the notes I play has a lot to do with how I feel that day. On a sad day my notes and harmony may be very different than a happy day. |
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