The Steel Guitar Forum

I watched the Time Jumpers Mon night and there were so many things to mention. First of all there were guests at the new location... Glen D. Hardin, The Wiggles, B J Thomas, Billy Wade, Duffy Jackson and Brian Setzer. So, we can see that some new tunes were played from their careers .
When B J Thomas played some of his hits , Paul played very laid back and allowed the rest of the band to do a lot of fills, only playing when it was the right time . This is what I look for in quality musicians. I don't enjoy a "nervous" steel guitar doing a bunch of fills to get all over the vocal.
I feel like this should be under pedal steel , because it may apply to most of us. JF

Absolutely i agree Jerry... 'Musicianship' is always more important than 'Musical Chops'... Of course Franklin has both, as so do many others, and the listeners/audience do notice the difference, but we are told so many times that the listener's don't know the difference. Musicianship skills are the same for any instrument played, and has no effect on the fact that it's a Steel guitar.

Well said Jerry...."Less is MORE".....

Something like "leave them wanting more - not less "

very laid back and allowed the rest of the band to do a lot of fills, only playing when it was the right time . This is what I look for in quality musicians. I don't enjoy a "nervous" steel guitar doing a bunch of fills to get all over the vocal.

This is what I teach and preach to all new comers to the band stand and to the ones I know need to learn it. Well said Jerry.

I guess that I've gotten to the point . Which is , that the pedal steel is well placed in certain areas . Paul seems to have the ability to do this live as well as on recordings . He could have run the other guys out with just a few well placed notes , but chose to establish the song with what the others , including vocal put together. This is for all gigs , etc JF

That's musicianship on a professional level; being able to leave your ego in your case and play (or not play) for the band.

I hear Brian Setzer is quite an amptech!

I find it most impressive when a steel player (or any musician) can do both like Paul does. He'll play the right thing at the right time for the tune, as well as wow everyone with flowing Charlie Parker-esque never ending bebop lines. He seems to be able to make the shift mentally and physically without a hitch. And on top of all that, he never stops digging deeper into the instrument and tunings, making it always fresh and exciting when you seem him play. Good job Paul!

laid back laid out or laid off!!!!!!!!!--Jeff Newman...

I can't count the times if been out to hear some hot shot player only to come away thinking, I wish I could play like that, then I wouldn't.

B

Bill Bassett wrote:I can't count the times if been out to hear some hot shot player only to come away thinking, I wish I could play like that, then I wouldn't.

B

Yes Bill, Jimmy Day said the same thing, and I agree with this also..

The "Golden Rule", I use. Know when not to play! Sure would like to see a video of JF pickin' sometime. Builds a fine guitar also!

If your playing more than 50% of the time, your playing too much. The steel is a COMPLIMENTRY lead instrument. Less is more. I can't stand these guys who must play something through the whole song. Take your hands OFF the instrument and let the song develop. You can see this bad habit of over playing all over you tube. Good post and great observation Jerry.

Scott Henderson wrote:laid back laid out or laid off!!!!!!!!!--Jeff Newman...

this is 10 piece band....it requires musicians that can LIFT...or they will not be in the band very long.

It's got nothing to do with playing 50% of the time or laid back..it has everything to do with KNOWING when it is your moment to play...it's not that difficult....the rules are easy ..lay out...until it's time to NOT lay out !

This unit, like many, is based on a consistent rhythm section and they just happen to have a handful of solo artists...the take away is easy...it's a 4 or 5 piece band, the other 5 step in and out but never at the same time....3 fiddles, if they are not playing a 3 part phrase, only ONE is playing at a given time...

Bob Wills, Asleep at the Wheel, Time Jumpers etc....

TJ's, a great band..always a good time to see them and hear them...

You don't have to be a professional to know when "NOT" to play,just a knowledge of what music is & playing in a "good" band,when you know all this then I guess it does make you a professional.

How many bands have I quit because of some hot shot drummer.guitar player,etc.It's a shame people that can make a 3 chord progression sound like garbage because they won't learn or take direction from the ones that know what they're talking about.

You gentlemen have this 100%correct IMHO..

Jerry Fessenden wrote:... Paul played very laid back and allowed the rest of the band to do a lot of fills, only playing when it was the right time . This is what I look for in quality musicians. I don't enjoy a "nervous" steel guitar doing a bunch of fills to get all over the vocal.

Funny how this gets discussed here so often, yet seems to make no impression on so many "musicians".