Robert Randolph on Letterman - August 5

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 5 Aug 2003 8:25 pm

Well, you can say he dresses "loud" and plays "louder". I guess I fail to see the move.

Fred

------------------
The spirit be with you!
If it aint got a steel, it aint real

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 5 Aug 2003 8:26 pm

HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cal Sharp · Post by **Cal Sharp** » 5 Aug 2003 9:19 pm

I've heard one of his albums and saw him on Letterman and he seems to be a real innovator and it's nice that he's exposing the steel to a wider audience, but except for a couple of long slides he sounds like he's playing a guitar, and I never saw the point of trying to sound like another instrument unless you're just trying to save the expense of hiring an additional musician. I mean, don't you hate it when you have to work with a guitar player with a string bender and a volume pedal who tries to play Lloyd Green licks all night? I really don't think his playing showcases the pedal and chordal capabilities of the instrument.

C#[This message was edited by Cal Sharp on 05 August 2003 at 10:27 PM.]

Bob Watson · Post by **Bob Watson** » 5 Aug 2003 11:38 pm

I think C# hit the nail on the head. I have seen RR live and I really enjoyed it, but I also thought to myself, if this guy was playing a regular 6 string electric guitar, he probably wouldn't be enjoying as much recognition. I do have to say that,IMHO, what he is doing fits the Rock/Blues genre better than a guitar player with a bender trying to emmulate a PSG . That being said, I beleive that a Steel Player that is gigging in a contemporary musical situation in this day and age would probably have more "commercial value" if he/she could play those type of "Rock Licks" on the Steel. I have seen Dave Easley play the Eddie Van Halen solo for "Jump" on the C6 neck, but I think that RR's tuning is better suited for playing Rock on the PSG than the C6 tuning, and I expect in the future to see more double neck players having an E9 tuning on the top neck and a tuning similar to RR on their bottom neck. When I started playing Steel I used to think that I wanted to try to take it into different genres, but now I just enjoy playing Classic Country and Swing. I think its great that some Steel players want to expand the instrument into other genres, but personally, I'll just grab a guitar when I want to play Rock n' Roll. [This message was edited by Bob Watson on 06 August 2003 at 01:52 AM.][This message was edited by Bob Watson on 06 August 2003 at 02:01 AM.][This message was edited by Bob Watson on 06 August 2003 at 02:04 AM.][This message was edited by Bob Watson on 06 August 2003 at 02:06 AM.]

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 6 Aug 2003 1:36 am

I just looked at the Sierra S13 or RR's and it is a stunning unit. And quite the original copedent too.
I have never been turned off by distortion if it was done controled and intentionally, as opposed to bad engineering.

IF RR is doing something folks like more power to him.
If some folks have reached their personal limit of stylistic change and acceptance, then that's their loss and not mine.

I have no issue with roots styles AND avante guard work either. Just do it well and with feeling. From what I hear RR is doing that, with a raw intensity, rather than pollished precision.
There is something good to be said for that too.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 6 Aug 2003 2:29 am

"We dont need another Hero" or "Move over Rover and let Jimi take over" ???
i'm sure deep down inside we all love and respect RR for what he is doin'. i do
Since discovering RR(through this Forum) i've been moved
i personnaly prefer the Sacred Steel roots to the RxR FunkJamBand Thang but he sure makes me want to be 25 again and ready to boogie....
Since his playin does sounds like a 6 stringer, i'm glad to know that he's gonna mistify a bunch of upcoming guitar players when they find out it's PSG they gotta take up.
i would like to compliment the RR website for bein so well done and countiniously updated (on the video,the red axe he's playin'is the Sierra that Pete B mentions)
last but not least my heart and ears go out to that upcoming sacred steel army that is waitin to go on once RR has finished his set

------------------
Steel what?

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 6 Aug 2003 5:21 am

I didn't get to see him last night.(pickin)
but i agree with a lot of the opinions on this thread about someone "going outside the box" RR is going to be an innovator if people will let him and fortunately he's in an arena that the "Gods of Country" can't control. That's huge for PSG!!!!! Why have we always done this. why does the industry try to control the direction of music...music is what ever you make it and with what ever tools you want to use. I love the old stuff play it every night. Is my new CD going to be nothing but old stuff. HECK NO!!!I think RR should be commended for doing something we have all tried to do for years. he got to the youngins and the people who thought we played that twangy thing!!!
And besides that remember before there was a buddy emmons there was and old man deep in the south playin blues with a slide. steel guitars roots didn't start with an old hank williams tune it was present in full force long before that.jazz blues bebop even hawahion(hahahahA)and lets not forget the beautiful work mike did on firebird suite.the steel guitar has went anywhere someone has wanted to take it. So in the words of bill gates "where do you want to go today"
someone elses turn on the soapbox

------------------
Steelin' away in the ozarks and life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 6 Aug 2003 5:39 am

How great to see a steel 'up close' on network TV! I sort-of agree that the same nuance could have been easily acheived on an overdriven electric guitar with a slide, but those guys had four minutes to make an impact on national television - that alone would have schooled their choice of material.

It was an energetic performance that caught the attention - RR seems to have a solid technique, too.

I'm a supporter!

RR (Ooops - Roger Rettig)

Jeff Lampert · Post by **Jeff Lampert** » 6 Aug 2003 6:24 am

Big, Big, REALLY BIG, thumbs up to RR.

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 6 Aug 2003 7:10 am

Nice pictures, Pete.

I'm from the "keep it country" camp, but I'll have to check out Robert Randolph. I've heard so many good things about his playing and you folks have never steered me wrong.

His playing, the interest and exposure can't be anything but great for steel guitar. I hope he comes to Scotty's someday. He should definitely be invited; I presume he has been invited before, but I wouldn't know.

------------------
HagFan

Jeff A. Smith · Post by **Jeff A. Smith** » 6 Aug 2003 7:18 am

There is a great similarity between what RR's doing and slide guitar. However, I'll bet a lot of slide guitar players wouldn't mind getting beyond what's possible with six strings and a static tuning. That's what stopped me from getting very interested in slide, even while playing guitar for 36 years. It's because pedal steel allows for so much more that I took it up.

Even looking at it from the viewpoint of slide guitar, more strings and some pedals makes a whole other universe possible. It's a logical next step.

I thought the Letterman spot last night was fantastic. The only thing I missed was that RR didn't take a full solo. For anybody who was paying attention though, he slipped in some supercharged fills. It certainly left me wanting more.

Anybody know what kind of half-stack he was using for an amp? [This message was edited by Jeff A. Smith on 06 August 2003 at 08:23 AM.]

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 6 Aug 2003 8:11 am

Travis, and Cal, thanks for your posts, the two sides of the debate right there... Anybody who fears that guys like Robert, Ben Harper, etc. are putting out the "wrong" picture of Steel Guitar and what it can do should take another hard look at Travis' post... how many players are out there right now, and how many new players and appreciative listeners who thought they didn't like steel, but were pulled in by the playing of a "non-traditionalist", only to discover all the depth and beauty of mysterious steel-land?
And Cal, if you get a chance to see Robert live, or really listen to his recordings, you'll realize that what he's doing just can't be done on a six string standard guitar. His playing is full of rakes, strums, and effects that are unique to his tuning and approach, and the fast scalar work he does definitely uses pedal and string positions that would baffle a standard guitarist. He's building on much of the Sacred Steel tradition he comes from and taking it in new directions. As far as his recordings, the older ones such as "The Word" don't have the distribution that his new Warner Brother's stuff will, the new CD just came out yesterday and I'll bet you'll be able to get it about anywhere. I've always wondered how many steelers there were who felt threatened by Speedy West's noises, whoops and swoops, (and the attention they "took away" from straight steel playin')...

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 6 Aug 2003 8:30 am

"and the fast scalar work he does definitely uses pedal and string positions that would baffle a standard guitarist"

As well as a lot of pedal steel players, too

.

I'm headed to the record store for the new CD on our next session break. You go, Robert![This message was edited by John Macy on 06 August 2003 at 09:31 AM.]

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 6 Aug 2003 9:08 am

I watched it, and it sounded fine to me.

I think that it's about time that people started thinking less about that "tone knob', and more about the "volume".

He's no Jimi Hendrix, but he's got my vote.

EJL

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 6 Aug 2003 9:27 am

If the person in charge of sound/balance had gotten off his butt and got the balance right,I think RR was smokin it,I just could'nt hear him very well at all. I did like what I heard...

I'm for anyone being different,whether I like it or not,look at the many different venues regular guitar is used in,I haven't heard anyone say that it should'nt be done,take PSG to whatever hights it can be taken to,and more power to the one that is bold enough to do it!!!!!!!!!!

I did'nt mean to start anything,or step on any toes if I have JMHO

Go Robert...go Robert...go Robert

------------------
Bill Ford

seldomfed · Post by **seldomfed** » 6 Aug 2003 10:34 am

Travis wrote:
"In my case his music was an entry point, not an ending." - bingo !

That's all it takes. The door is open, and people are looking inside.

IMHO it feels like living in a nice quiet town before it's discovered by the hip crowd and Starbucks moves in. Or flyfishing before a river 'ran thru it', or, the internet before people knew it was there. ie. before 'the web'? (bulletin boards, ftp, gopher). You appreciate the moment, but can see the potential for growth, and you absolutely know things will change. Perhaps a steel guitar renaissance won't be world altering, but as many of you already know - at this moment in time, we're in the middle of a time of significant change and visibility for the instrument. Very cool if you like steel.

I'm trying to do a small part to open the door a little wider. I'm working on getting a public radio show on our local grass roots station. It's to be called "The Steel Guitar Hour". The plan is to feature all kinds of music, from all over the world as long as it features steel! (Lap, Pedal, Reso). So RR will be on there, alongside Lloyd, Buddy, Sol, Leon, JB, DougJ,... et. Al. So 'twill be an 'instrument focus' for all genres (c&w, bg, jazz, pop, blues, rock, classical, hawaiian, alt-c&w, electronic, rap,...). Hopefully it will get placed in the sched. this fall. (fingers x'd) We only have 3000watts but it covers all of N. Colo., parts of Denver, and hits all 3 major universities in the state. I'll keep you posted.

chris

------------------
Chris Kennison
Ft. Collins, Colorado
"There is no spoon"
www.book-em-danno.com

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 6 Aug 2003 11:18 am

The idiot who sets my vcr screwed up (me) and I missed this. But just one point---RR plays what he plays and how he plays because this is the music he chooses to make. The way he plays steel is not dictated by what he can or can't do. I have heard him rip some 'standard' psg stuff that left no doubt that he had studied on the traditional stylists. He comes by his style honestly. Not by default. By choice.

Brad Burch · Post by **Brad Burch** » 6 Aug 2003 11:20 am

I think Robert is phenomenal bar none. I still find it hard to believe in this day and age of pure crap being pushed down people's throats, that a guy playing funk/rock/gospel on pedal steel can become as popular as he has. I think his new single is fantastc,.........its like Parliment(the band) revisited. His website has all kinds of pictures, interviews, and videos. Here is a link to an mpeg of the Letterman performance: http://robertrandolph.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=224607717&f=654607717&m=7506002193

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 6 Aug 2003 11:48 am

I missed the show last nite so
the link is appreciated Brad.
Just watched the MP3 and RR has the
magic. Lots of finesse and obvious
technique!
Nice guitar too!!

------------------
<A HREF="http://www.clictab.com/royt/tabmenu.htm ... abmenu.htm
</A>

Greg Sullivan · Post by **Greg Sullivan** » 6 Aug 2003 11:49 am

I have been reading the comments on this subject and I fully agree that this fellow is
talented as all get out.

I was fortunate to have been at the Ed Sullivan Theatre last night with my wife.

Jody Carver handed me two tickets that I was
able to get backstage passes. RR had a very
impressive looking guitar and his group sounded excellent.

I want to inform those of you who are not aware that Jody Carver played Steel Guitar at
the very same theatre years ago,in fact long before steel guitar was recognized as a solo
instrument. My dad was in the orchestra the night that Jody performed on the Arthur Godfrey Talent Scout Show and he played solo doing Caravan which brought the house down to
as standing ovation when Arthur Godfrey had to ask the audience to sit down. Every member
of the CBS orchestra stood and applauded Jody
Carver.

Godfrey was bug eyed as he watched Jody go from neck to neck in his three neck fender guitar at break neck speed.

With all due respect to this new and fine player who is innovative,you would have to hear Jodys performance to show what the word
exciting means.

Just as last nights performance,the show Jody did was newtork coast to coast too.

Jody is modest and never brags about himself or his great playing,he brags about others,I was able to meet Paul Schaffer and Sid McGinnis backstage and when I mentioned Jodys
name Paul Schaffer said say hi to Jody,I asked him if he knew Jody and he said,,everybody knows Jody and if they dont they should.

I am not a steel guitar player but I own one of the first ever models that my dad received
from Jody back in 1954, and I was born in 1956 so you see how long I have known Jody.

RR is a fine player.But Jody is my best friend and the night he did his thing the he rocked the walls of the Ed Sullivan Theater
at 1697 Broadway.

Im bragging about my friend because Im proud
of him and what he has accomplished.
If any of you would like to hear that performance I have a copy that was taken right off the air that night. Its dynamite.

Just wanted to give my friend a boost here and not take away from the exceptional innovative style of RR. Jody may not appreciate me telling this, but I owe him something for his friendship and the 2 tickets he gave to me..

Brian Davis · Post by **Brian Davis** » 6 Aug 2003 1:18 pm

WOW...I would like to hear that recording of Jody. Can you post and MP3? Also, anyone got any "Hot Club of America in Hi-Fi"? Ok, back to RR...great player. Bar none. But his recent funk-jam sound is a novelty act. If he was playing a 6-string, he might not be on Letterman. He might be playing Voodoo Child(Slight Return) at your local Guitar Center. But any PR is good PR for the steel, so...I just hope he doesn't turn out to be the Yngwie Malmsteen of the PSG

Dave Magram · Post by **Dave Magram** » 6 Aug 2003 5:47 pm

It may be of interest, for those of you who don't know, how Robert Randolph began playing steel guitar

He was interviewed about 2-1/2 years ago on NPR's "Fresh Air" show, which was the first I had heard of him. I was in another room, and missed the first minute or so of the interview. When I heard some great music which sounded almost, but not quite like an electronic organ played R&B style, I thought- "That sounds like a steel guitar!", and sat down next to the radio.

Robert was explaining how he would provide all of the music in the New Jersey church where his father was the minister. He demonstrated several other ways he would use effects to make the steel guitar sound like a six-string guitar, a horn section, or a full Motown gospel band.

It was very impressive, but I almost fell out of my chair when the interviewer asked about country steel guitar and Robert played a very fast little riff that sounded just like something Paul Franklin would play. (In watching the close-ups of his hands on Letterman, it does appear to me that he is using pick-blocking techniques.)

I bought his CD, and a few months later went to see him when he played at the Fillmore in San Francisco. All of the music he played (he did not sing) was based on gospel songs, but put to such an infectious beat that he had the crowd of mostly kids boogie-ing non-stop.

I don't know what it means to the steel guitar world, but I just find Robert's playing very enjoyable to listen to and like nothing else I've ever heard on steel guitar.

Dave

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 6 Aug 2003 7:41 pm

RE: R.R.
Several months back,a friend & myself went to the "Exit In",here in Nashville,to see R.R. When we got there,there was a sign on the door,"SOLD OUT". Fortunately,we ordered our tix off of the i'net. Now,normally,the Exit In,has these tall,round tables,w/ 4+/- barstools sitting around them. Not tonight! There wasn't a table or chair in sight. SRO!!
He "knocked 'em out"!!(me included!) After the show we were fortunate enough to get backstage,& chat w/ him. He is a very congenial gentleman. The first time I met R.R. was at the Station Inn. Bruce Boutin came strollin' in w/ him,to hear the Time Jumpers. At the time,I didn't know who he was. Only heard his name in passing. Bruce introduced me to him. This was at a time when we were just gettin' together the benefit for "Big Jim" Murphy. I asked Bruce if he was gonna be able to attend. He said no,but he reached in his pocket & pulled out $20,& gave it to me to put in the "pot". R.R. asked Bruce what was goin' on. Bruce explained the benefit. R.R. said,"If it's for a fellow steeler,I'm in.",& he reached in HIS pocket & pulled out $20 too. That's the kinda guy he is,& I was proud to have met him.

RE:Jody Carver
I have never met Jody,in person. I met him through this medium,& have spoken w/ him over the phone several times. That being said,I consider Jody Carver a DEAR friend. We know a lot of the same people,which brought our "friendship" closer together. I bought "HCOA" brand new,back in the late 50's. I never heard of him before that. Then,one day,I saw this name,"Jody Carver" appear on the forum. I was curious to say the least. I wrote to him to find out if he was the same "J.C." that was on the album. Indeed,it was.The pic on the cover shows him playing a Fender 1000. Up until the time that I spoke w/ him,I always thought that,that's what he was playing on the album.
Nay,nay. He told me that it was a Fender T-8,non-pedal. I was amazed. He was getting all that stuff w/ NO PEDALS. I,too,have a tape copy of Jody's performance on the Godfrey show. It's no lie! He KNOCKED 'EM OUT,including Godfrey. I almost gave him a standing ovation myself,just listening to the tape. There is a minority on this forum that think's he's "long-winded" in his posts.
I,however,am in the majority,who enjoys reading his posts. He posts valuable information about the Fender Co.,interjected w/ some GREAT humor that makes it worth reading. Remember gang,HE WAS THERE!! I would like to see him as a future candidate for the SGHOF,because HE WAS THERE,on the "ground floor"! Okay,I'm done now.

------------------
<pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
www.ntsga.com</pre>

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 6 Aug 2003 7:43 pm

The times, they are a-changin'.

Ricky Littleton · Post by **Ricky Littleton** » 7 Aug 2003 12:34 am

Saw the show last night (delayed 24 hours on Armed Forces TV Atlantic) and it was spectacular! RR puts on a great show and wails away at the Sierra. By the time the some was over I was fired up!

My hat's off to RR and the whole Family Band!

Ricky

------------------
Emmons LeGrande - 8x4
Session 400 Ltd
Dan-Echo, E-Bow, Ibanez Distortion, Boss Comp./Sustain, Ibanez Auto-Wah