Mike Johnson, w/ Jimmy Webb on Letterman 7/26

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 27 Jul 2010 9:43 am

Hey, Paul, I was playing acoustic blues guitar in 1976 when I bought the Suite Steel LP on a whim, I had liked the sound of steel. I took it home, cued it up and never got past Buddy's version on Wichita. Just played it over and over...
I went out and bought a Maverick and joined my first band that day.
Safe to say that LP track changed my life.

It was very nice to hear Mike and Jimmy laying it down so beautifully.

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 27 Jul 2010 10:20 am

Thanks for the help on this- I looked at Letterman's site and saw that full episodes are available a bit later in the week (but of course being of the "I want it now" mindset I was hoping that it was available currently

).

Travis Hillis · Post by **Travis Hillis** » 27 Jul 2010 11:11 am

Outstanding! Thanks for the heads-up.

Richard Damron · Post by **Richard Damron** » 27 Jul 2010 12:18 pm

I'm a little perturbed about something - but, perhaps, it was to be expected.

At the conclusion of Jimmy's performance - wonderful, by the way - Letterman congratulated Jimmy and Paul - but not a single word about Mike's contribution.

Imagine the impact if Letterman had spent a lousy 15 or 20 seconds with Mike and asked "What is that instrument that you're playing?"

Another missed opportunity by Letterman. I'm really not surprised.

John DeBoalt · Post by **John DeBoalt** » 27 Jul 2010 1:16 pm

The Jimmy Webb clip is available to view on the CBS Late Night site. John

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 27 Jul 2010 1:47 pm

Bless you John

-it was terrific!

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 27 Jul 2010 2:25 pm

http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show ... OcEpYbF07q

MJ , pretty amazing stuff...

I think it would be nearly impossible for anyone who likes music, any music, to not get a sense of emotion out of MJ's playing on this show....

t

Bob Lawrence · Post by **Bob Lawrence** » 27 Jul 2010 2:36 pm

I was going to post a link but it's there already.

Ian Miller · Post by **Ian Miller** » 27 Jul 2010 4:21 pm

Tony Prior wrote:http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show ... OcEpYbF07q

MJ , pretty amazing stuff...

I think it would be nearly impossible for anyone who likes music, any music, to not get a sense of emotion out of MJ's playing on this show....

t

You bet, a couple of those single notes are really charged, especially with the little shivers at the end, wow. Gives you the feeling that Jimmy really enjoyed E's version on SUITE STEEL, and that he forever more will hear pedal in his composition.

Travis Hillis · Post by **Travis Hillis** » 27 Jul 2010 5:04 pm

Richard Damron wrote:I'm a little perturbed about something - but, perhaps, it was to be expected.

At the conclusion of Jimmy's performance - wonderful, by the way - Letterman congratulated Jimmy and Paul - but not a single word about Mike's contribution.

Imagine the impact if Letterman had spent a lousy 15 or 20 seconds with Mike and asked "What is that instrument that you're playing?"

Another missed opportunity by Letterman. I'm really not surprised.

I noticed the same thing. Kinda rude to acknowledge thoes two and ignore Mike.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 27 Jul 2010 5:10 pm

It was great to see Mike get some quality play time on that show. Jimmy Webb is a master song writer also. Think I'll pick that CD up. Great playing Mike.

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 27 Jul 2010 5:27 pm

Nice !!! Great playing Mike and that Show Pro sounds really really good Jeff !!
Hook

Frank Estes · Post by **Frank Estes** » 27 Jul 2010 6:36 pm

Pretty cool. I could have done without the accordion. That is a nice looking Show Pro. Thanks for posting the link. They ran over and my DVR only got the beginning of the performance.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 28 Jul 2010 2:40 am

I have been listening to JW's new CD this morning on Rhapsody , what a gem...I'm sold ! Great production, great recording...

t

mtulbert · Post by **mtulbert** » 28 Jul 2010 5:15 am

Travis,

You are being too nice when you say you were a little perturbed about Mike not getting the recognition that he deserved.

After watching Paul Shaffer who gets stranger every year play three or four notes get a nice nod from Letterman and Mike being totally ignored, I was actually pretty angry about it.

I guess that is typical of Letterman and that is why I do not watch his show.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 28 Jul 2010 7:39 am

I agree with the opinion that Mike was rudely overlooked by Letterman and crew.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 28 Jul 2010 7:46 am

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 28 Jul 2010 8:00 am

That was some steel guitar playing my wife would enjoy.

(which is high praise indeed)

I love to hear a great steel player in such a sparse setting.

Ray McCarthy · Post by **Ray McCarthy** » 28 Jul 2010 9:12 am

He was probably overlooked because Letterman didn't know what the heck that thing that he was playing.

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 28 Jul 2010 9:21 am

After watching Paul Shaffer who gets stranger every year

I find television pretty much unbearable anyway, and that guy is like the poster child for human extinction or something. The whole "sidekick" issue.... only Doc Severinsen seemed to avoid the "de-volution problem."

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 28 Jul 2010 9:46 am

I think Dave knows very well what a steel guitar is. After all, band member Sid McGinnis plays one on the show from time to time.

I doubt that his oversight was malicious. I'm not making excuses for him and I'm certainly a Mike fan same as you guys. Maybe we should focus on the positive aspects of the event.

Some credit is due to the producers for having them on the show and to the video/audio crew for putting Mike up front in both areas from time to time.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 28 Jul 2010 10:02 am

That song, and Buddy Emmons contribution to the Ray Charles version, was a catalyst in turning me on to pedal steel guitar. Then I heard Buddy's cut on 'Suite Steel' - the song's changes are haunting and steel guitar (in the right hands!) has the perfect 'voice' for it.

Mike's wonderful playing in this clip is all his own. What marvelous touch he has!

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 28 Jul 2010 10:54 am

I doubt that his oversight was malicious. I'm not making excuses for him and I'm certainly a Mike fan same as you guys. Maybe we should focus on the positive aspects of the event.

No, I don't think it was malicious either, and you're right - we should focus on the positive aspects of the event - he played well and got paid.

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 28 Jul 2010 11:52 am

That was great. I love Jimmy Webb and his songs. Mike did that beautiful song justice.
Tommy White did a wonderful version also.

Jeff Bradshaw · Post by **Jeff Bradshaw** » 28 Jul 2010 12:25 pm

No question about how beautiful that is!!!! That gtr sounded superb!