The Steel Guitar Forum

Posted: **30 May 2006 10:27 am**

I just picked up my first Jerry Byrd CD "Byrd of Paradise". Admittedly the playing is beautiful, accurate, and outstanding. But this is so hokey I can hardly stand it. The vocals are just too Ray Conniff for me. Are there other Byrd CD's that I can try that are less syrupy? Please don't misunderstand me; I believe that he is one of the greats, it is just the production I find objectionable.

Posted: **30 May 2006 10:57 am**

Try listening to the project for what it is and not for what you want it to be. At the time it was recorded, there was a huge audience of listeners that were acclimated to instrumental music with vocals of the 40s and 50s. These people appreciated simple production and nice vocal backing. Byrd was not recording a record for steel guitar players.

That record sounds like it was done at RCA with the Anita Kerr singers. The sound of the guitar and the ambient sound of the room just have that classic RCA tone. Anybody know for sure.

The "Byrd of Paradise" CD is a bargain on several CD sites. You can find it sometimes for less than $3. Byrds tone and phrasing on that CD is spectacular. Even in the midst of an obvious commercial project, his playing is beautiful.

There are some others here on the forum that might be able to direct you to some other Byrd CDs that might be less commercial.

Posted: **30 May 2006 11:10 am**

http://www.steelguitarcanada.com/cdcass/byrd.htm

Scroll down to Hi-Fi Guitar. This is THE classic Byrd record and a textbook example of the Rickenbacher Bakelite "moan"... a mix of Hawaiian, Tango, Country ... something for everyone and only recently available on CD.THis is JB in the early 50s with a top flight Nashville rhythm section; no strings, no vocals. The record contains what many think are JB's definitive performances on several tunes.[This message was edited by Andy Volk on 30 May 2006 at 12:13 PM.]

Posted: **30 May 2006 11:17 am**

So... on albums like "Byrd Of Paradise", whose idea was it to add the cheesy vocals?

JB? or the record producer?

I agree with Andy, HiFi Guitar is it for both steel guitar virtuosity and clean, to-the-point arrangements.

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 30 May 2006 at 12:19 PM.]

Posted: **30 May 2006 11:25 am**

"Blue Hawaiian Steel Guitar" for me. I love that record!

Also, except for the tepid vocal track stuck in the middle, "By Request" is an incredible album, great song choices, and a mellower, moodier feel to it.

If the vocal accompaniment and 'string sections' aren't your thing, you'll want to avoid the 4 Classic Albums on cassette. Or at least preview it before you buy it.

Posted: **30 May 2006 11:33 am**

Buck, I'd suggest 'Jerry Byrd, Steel Guitar Hawaiian Style' and 'By Request' which was his last studio recording.

These are sure to please.

To get a truer sense of the man, search out the tapes of his yearly 80s era Ho'olaule'a shows which included virtually any great steeler who was able to still play and into Hawaiian steel guitar.
Unfortunately, these are quite hard to find.
However, there are forum members who post often that surely have these and maybe they would be willing to share.
As an example of what can be heard, I'm lucky to have access to the 5th year tapes which included JB, Barney Isaacs, Freddie Tavares, Billy Hew Len, Tony Ohtsuka and others.
You also get to hear Jerry talk about them and steel in general which is great, especially since most are now long gone.

Good luck!

Posted: **30 May 2006 11:49 am**

Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo ... doo ... doo ...

I love Byrd of Paradise ...

Ke Kali Nei Au

Lei Aloha Lei Makamae

I already had these uploaded over in the "Music" section ... so for the sake of y'all who never heard what we are talkin' 'bout here ... of course: just for Educational Purposes 

As far as virtuosity goes ... Admirable Byrd is really tough to beat ... in my opinion ...

This "subject" was discussed in detail at the Shenandoah Valley Steel Guitar Summit ...

Where it was decided that some Jerry Byrd albums require an "acquired taste" ...

I turned a 35 minute drive to Dulles ... into what musta seemed to poor ol' Howard to be a "Three Hour Tour" (and the weather wasn't even gettin' rough) ...

Lets just say not everyone acquires "the taste" ... aye Howard ...

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Slants of the Week
Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels

[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 30 May 2006 at 04:24 PM.]

Posted: **30 May 2006 12:07 pm**

Doo doo doo doo.

I can't handle it. It's too cheesy. Yes, I can listen through the cheese and hear the wonderful, virtuostic steel guitar playing.

But those arrangements...

What were they thinking?

If I wanted to impress upon novices how beautiful the steel guitar is, I would not choose these records as examples. JB's HiFi Guitar & Steel Guitar Favorites, yes!

Doo doo doo... come on guys, let's be real.

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association
[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 30 May 2006 at 01:19 PM.]

Posted: **30 May 2006 12:49 pm**

let's be real

I'm bein' real .. and serious ... as much as I can be

Byrd in Hawaii, Steel Guitar Hawaiian Style, Hawaiian Beach Party, Byrd of Paradise, Admirable Byrd, Satin Strings of Steel, Master of Touch & Tone, Hi-Fi Guitar & Steel Guitar Favorites ... were all the records I listened to for years ... tryin' to learn to play.

I didn't play these ... for recreational listenin' ... I was studyin'.

I had no musical experiences before steel guitar ...

I didn't grow up with steel guitar on the radio, like some of our friends here on the forum and in HSGA ...

I didn't have the internet ... where a plethora of syles and samples are now just a click away ...

There was no Cumquat Records ...

It was Tom Bradshaw's catalog ... that was it ... and I bought everything he had ... from Pete Drake to Sneaky Pete to Buddy Emmons to Maurice Anderson to David Kelii to Rudi Wairata ...

But it was those JB albums ... they got me.

To each his own ...

But my recommendation to "a novice" stands ... Admirable Byrd ...

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Slants of the Week
Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels

[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 30 May 2006 at 01:54 PM.]

Posted: **30 May 2006 12:53 pm**

One "doo" two many, Gerald. I'm with you. My list of Byrd records, in descending order of preference, would be ...

#1 Hi-Fi Guitar CD
#2 On The shores of Waikiki (Nani Hawaii) LP only
#3 Jazz From the Hills - country All Stars - CD
#4 Steel Guitar Hawaiian Style CD
#5 Master of Touch and Tone CD
#6 By Request - CD

Okay but not my favorites ...
#7 Admirable Byrd - LP or cassette
#8 Satin Strings of Steel - LP or cassette

Not even on if they were the only records on a deserted island ....
#9 Steel Guitar Romantic World
#10 Polynesian Suite

Disclaimer: Andy's opinion. YMMD. #1-#3 feature JB on a Ric Bakelite. Gorgeous tone. #4-#6 are on JB's Sho-Bud; not quite in the heavenly tonal pantheon of the early stuff. By Request has some great playing but flat out lousy engineering and muddy sound. SGRW & PS have their champions (do a search) but IMHO, they are the worst kitsch. SGRW has some astounding diatonic playing from JB but the kitschy, hackneyed Japanese pop arrangements just kill it for me. I haven't heard the cassettes of his live radio stuff but I suspect some of it is quite good. It would be great to hear a CD of some of the 45s Ray has featured ... like his diatonic tuning calling card, an amzing performance on "Next To Jimmy". Don't get me wrong, JB at his best was untouchable - especially in a relaxed, live gig. It's just that the quality of his recorded output is uneven. [This message was edited by Andy Volk on 30 May 2006 at 06:31 PM.]

Posted: **30 May 2006 2:23 pm**

Thanks for the feedback. I will definately get some more Byrd. His playing is spot on. The tone is magnificent and even RCA couldn't make him sound bad. I had a similar reaction to a few Chet Atkins albums. I will get Hi Fi and perhaps a few others. I really love the bakelite sound.

Posted: **30 May 2006 3:39 pm**

The label might have been Monument. I just think that it sounds like a RCA studio B recording. Probably some of the same players.

Posted: **30 May 2006 3:53 pm**

If you're wanting to hear Jerry Byrd technique and Rickenbacher TONE.......try getting away from the instrumentals and acting like that is his total statement.
NOTHING! Nothing has ever matched or even come close to Jerry's performance throughout his NANI HAWAII 1950's four record album.
The TONE is magnificant with depth on the low end and mellow highs topside.
Every week some of Jerry's best work is featured on the JBFC site.

Posted: **30 May 2006 4:16 pm**

Ray. Are these "Nani" recording availiable on CD?

Posted: **30 May 2006 4:27 pm**

Fair point, Ray. JB's tone IS gorgeous on Nani Hawaii and his phrasing, while uniquely Byrd, totally compliments the songs. Hawaiian falsetto is not generally my thing but the falsetto singing on this record is great.
Auction on eBay.

Ironically, I was seeking a CD copy just the other day. A few folks have the reissue version (On the Shores of Waikiki) and will make a CD for $10.[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 30 May 2006 at 08:28 PM.]

Posted: **30 May 2006 5:13 pm**

In my opinion ... nuttin' beats JB's live performances with Hiram Olsen and Kalani Fernandez ... Sho-Bud or not.

My personal library of these shows has grown by leaps and bounds lately ... because of the generousity of one gentleman that I did some "Ricky work" for.

If you think JB can't "swing" ... or plays "cheese" ... or played his best stuff while backing up singers in the 40's and 50's ...

Well, a few of these performances will really change your "tune" (pun intended) ...

As Ron W. mentioned ... live JB is where "it's at" ...

Listen to this ...

Kimo Hula/Kolopa

If anyone can say ... honestly say ... they have heard a more "heart-filled" played song on steel guitar ... well ... I'll shut up about JB forever ...

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Slants of the Week
Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels

[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 30 May 2006 at 06:20 PM.]

Posted: **30 May 2006 5:46 pm**

Thanks Rick- That's what I was looking for. Sweet Hawaiian music. Perfect tone and balance. Phrasing like a vocalist. Wow!

Posted: **30 May 2006 7:09 pm**

If anyone can say ... honestly say ... they have heard a more "heart-filled" played song on steel guitar ... well ... I'll shut up about JB forever ...

I can honestly say I have.

But I don't want you to shut up about anything.

Posted: **30 May 2006 10:23 pm**

I happened to be at the Ho'olau'lea when Kimo Hula/Kolopa was played and recorded by Jerry Byrd.

How can one know when one has played the steel guitar at a most heart-filled moment or have played more heart-filled than anyone else? I believe each person possibly arrives at this moment in some way, but may not have the technical mastery for the fullest expression of it where it can be communicated to and experienced by the listener.

I have heard and seen some of the very best steel guitarists in Hawaii and the Mainland, but through hearing and visual observation, I have never seen any steel guitarists visually express the intensity that I have seen in Jerry Byrd. This can be easily seen on his face and in his body language. Is this what we mean when we say heart-filled playing? He is a master at putting himself fully into his playing, at least as much as we can possibly know humanly. When Jerry plays it does turn the hearts of people.

Still, Jules Ah See turns my heart more.

Aloha,

Don

Posted: **31 May 2006 4:00 am**

I can honestly say I have.

Ok .. I'm a man of my word ...

So I'll just "shut up & play" ... a song off the album I recommended above

Cut off "Admirable He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named

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Slants of the Week
Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels

Posted: **31 May 2006 4:04 am**

Beautifully said, Don.

Rick, please keep sharing your insights on the forum and waving the flag for your passions.

Posted: **31 May 2006 4:30 am**

"Theme for a DJ"... hot!

Posted: **31 May 2006 6:10 am**

For my two cents worth, I can listen to that kind of music all day long, day in and day out.
Many of us can play for years and still not accomplish the degree of speed, accuracy,enginuity,touch,& timing, Jerry Byrd has. That is a special gift!
He was certainly one of the best in my book.
Thanks for sharing Rick.

Posted: **31 May 2006 6:26 am**

I've never heard any of JB's Nani Hawaii recordings. Could someone please post a representative sample?

Let me state again: The steel guitar playing on all of JB's recordings is wonderful. It's the corny arrangements on many of his recordings that get to me ( IMHO ).

It's not just JB. Many middle-of-the-road recordings from the 1960's had this flavor. Did anyone really like this stuff or was it all meant to be background dentist office musical wallpaper?

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

Posted: **31 May 2006 7:04 am**

I've never heard any of JB's Nani Hawaii recordings. Could someone please post a representative sample

Here's one that is "dear" to me ... wonder why

Little Lani Jo

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Slants of the Week
Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels