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Topic: Opry Critique? Perhaps... |
Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 17 Feb 2003 2:59 am |
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Before the trail of events seen on the T.V. portion of The Opry cool off, let me go on record to comment briefly about Leroy Parnell's (Sp.) performance. I'm an unrelenting fan of "country music", and steel guitars have captured my interest. Please, someone alert me, well in advance, of future shows, that will bear similar connotations.
Bill H. |
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Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 17 Feb 2003 5:20 am
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Ya never know when a show will be a gem.
I tape it and use the FF button when viewing. |
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 17 Feb 2003 5:43 am
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Bill, Leroy played slide on a Les Paul with a plastic tube on his pinky finger. Do you consider that "steel" guitar?  |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 17 Feb 2003 6:19 am
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Joey,
Thank you for that reply. Thank goodness for your wit. My feelings, exactly.
Bill H. |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 17 Feb 2003 6:32 am
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Jim S.
I like your sense of humor. You know me better than that. I said that I am captured by the sounds of the steel guitar. Playing steel guitar in the shadows of a glass slide/Spanish guitar entertainer, is not my idea of support for such greats who were stationed at the rear of the stage. Who's kidding who?
Bill H. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 17 Feb 2003 8:14 am
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Bill, what exactly was it that you liked?
Just a thought...I think you'd get better comments/answers if you're statements/questions weren't so confusing. |
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Alvin Blaine
From:
Picture Rocks, Arizona, USA
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Posted 17 Feb 2003 8:48 am
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That was a glass Coricidin bottle on his ring finger not a plastic tube on his pinky.
For what its worth to you, that style of playing slide/spanish guitar has been around longer than steel guitars. I don't see any problem with someone playing bottleneck slide guitar on the same stage as a steel guitar. Thats like a cellist not wanting to be on stage with a violinist or a piano player on stage with someone playing a B3 organ, or a trumpet player not wanting to play with a trombone player. |
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Steve Hinson
From:
Hendersonville Tn USA
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Posted 17 Feb 2003 11:21 am
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| ...slide...the ORIGINAL steel guitar...I like it. |
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Perry Hansen
From:
Bismarck, N.D.
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Posted 17 Feb 2003 11:37 am
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| Wouldn't that be a "Glass Guitar". |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 17 Feb 2003 2:15 pm
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There was once a gentleman from my area, who played guitar in a country band. He booked the honky-tonks in areas outside of the city district. He was quite the attraction on band night. The reason he could attract attention was one of a simple nature. He stood front and center, much like the glass slide feature on The Opry. One small maneuver made a world of difference in what one might expect. When he took the "ride", he'd step forward, and use his mike stand by sliding his guitar strings against the tubular stock. Interesting, but purely novelistic. My first guitar was a "Unity", with all the extras to convert it to a Hawaiian style. The steel picks, bar, and half-round disappeared from my case, then later on, I loaned it reluctantly to a friend of the family for one night. The story came back that someone fell on it. It was a gift from my mom. I regret the loss to this day, still wondering why the "pieces" never came back to me.
There are many guitar players who attempt to glass slide the true steel guitar sounds, whereas a Bigsby lever, and a good volume pedal would sound more natural.
Bill H.
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 17 Feb 2003 10:53 pm
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Myron L.,
I'm inclined to think that country music has survived at least four decades of the socially sophisticated segment of our society, giving the musical form lump upon lump in the form of mockeries and criticism. Today's country music as it is presented on The Opry, has become more acceptable to the critics of the past. I still become a bit uneasy whenever I hear "country" that strays too far from its traditional roots.
Many viewers lack the knowledge of what a steel guitar is, or for that matter, what it represents.
Bill H.[This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 18 February 2003 at 02:36 AM.] [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 21 February 2003 at 02:45 AM.] |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2003 3:20 am
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Donny H.,
You asked me, "What do I like, exactly?" Well, of course I like the great progress that has been made, by the camera work. The close-up camera views of the steel guitars, and the players who demonstrate their exceptional skills on the instruments, is a moment of pleasure. I crave good vocal harmony, by two singers who enunciate properly, so that the listener can reap the enjoyment of hearing all the lyrics of a song.
I have a large collection of most guitarists' instrumentals, that have surfaced over the years. I enjoyed Jimmy Bryant's technique, but hearing that style of playing return is wishful thinking.
Bill H. [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 18 February 2003 at 05:43 AM.] |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 21 Feb 2003 3:18 am
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Myron L.,
One of my worst regrets would be, to lose a participant of the "MASSBASH", because of something that I had said or done. Please come, and chat with me on July 20th of this year, and allow me to become better acquainted with some of the ideas that you may have, that would benefit the performers, and attendees. Thanks again for sharing your energetic support of the music that is enjoyed by so many.
Bill H.
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Craig A Davidson
From:
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA
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Posted 21 Feb 2003 6:19 am
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Bill, What does a steel guitar represent? To me a steel can be used in all facets of music, be it rock ,country, blues, classical, you name it. If it is not utilized in all kinds of music sooner or later it could die out. As far as Leroy goes, he is one heck of a slide player. It takes talent to play slide, just like it takes talent to play steel.
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1985 Emmons push-pull, Nashville400, 65 re-issue Fender Twin, Fender Tele
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 22 Feb 2003 8:46 am
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Craig D.,
I'm sure that you are aware of the lament of numerous steel guitarists who perform in public places, such as clubs, weddings, etc. Most invariably, someone in the gathering will refer to the steel guitarist, as someone who plays keyboard. The instrument has acquired a variety of descriptions over the years, by those who have the least amount of interest in its sound, or importance in the music community. The special treat of being in a preferred proximity with someone who recognizes the true potential of the steel guitar, is a rewarding experience. It's more or less a matter of focusing on a specific subject matter. It's true that many objects escape notice, such as trees, houses, backyards, etc., because we do not focus upon them. The same is true of people who have other preferences in music. (More on this subject later)
Bill H. |
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