The Steel Guitar Forum

Mike perlowin, the Forum's unsung, underappreciated, and unloved favorite genius, turned me on to his website, via private e-mail. He also sent me reviews of his work by Jimmy Day, Lloyd Green, Buddy Emmons...I'd like to post the e-mail that Mike sent me, so that everybody on the Forum could know what the greats(including Mike himself)think of this brilliant, brilliant man. Never have I heard overdubs and effects used in such ways! I think I heard a major 7th or two, but everything else was beyond my comprehension. What do you guys, who may have heard him play LIVE, think?
Enquiring minds want to know!

Mike doesn't play his classical arrangements live, but he is an excellent blues player.

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<font size="1"><img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
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May I post the e-mail, b0b???

<SMALL> Mike doesn't play his classical arrangements live </SMALL>

Actually, in 1987 I DID perform the last 2 movements of the Firebird Suite at a steel guitar show. Obviously I couldn't duplicate all the multiple steel parts, but I had a well rehearsed band, and we got as close to the arrangement on the CD as possible. (Despite being well rehearsed, we still all screwed up at one point or another.) In addition to the 2 movements of the suite, we also performed Fanfare for The Common Man (from the CD) and the second movement of Dvorak's New World Symphony. About half the audience couldn't care less, but the rest listened in rapt attention. Afterwards, I got a lot of comments along the lines of "I never heard anything like that before but I liked it."

For those of you who have not heard my stuff, you can get a free sample. There are 2 MP3s from each of my CD's on my web site. ( www.mikeperlowin.com ) I hope you like what you hear.

There have been several derogatory comments made about me, all by the same person, on various different threads in the last few days. In response to this, I wish to state that I come here for one reason and one reason only: to discuss music and musical instruments, mostly steel guitars. I do not come here to fight with anybody or flame anybody. That is the only comment I will make about this situation.

Stephen - I agree totally. Firebird Suite is masterful. The beautiful sound of the steel guitar has no limits for those who embrace their gifts and talents.

Yes! Mike's modern classical music on pedal steel is fantastic. It is very well done, and obviously took a great deal of time and careful attention.

I also wish Mike and others would do the same for some music from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods. Much of the older classical music works very naturally on the pedal steel, especially the E9 neck.

On the Forum I have found Mike to be a gentleman and an honest straight shooter. Any offenses to others have always seemed to me to be inadvertent or imagined. And he has apologized even when he didn't need to. However, it is clear there is great diversity on the Forum in terms of not only musical tastes, but also social, political and religious preferences, propensities and prejudices. I kinda like that, but this sometimes strains ones patience, and Mike is no exception, nor should he be. Let's just all take a deep breath and think of sweet steel guitar music.

David "Where is the Love?" Doggett

Nice website Mike!

Mike Perlowin's approach to the steel guitar tells us where the guitar could go while pickers like me stay too long where the guitar has already been. Mike needs our encouragement and support, I think.

Mike is definitely an innovative player. I am impressed with his passion for the steel guitar and his generosity with his music. For example, after I heard some of his promo copy of West Side Story, I wanted to work up my own arrangement of "Tonight." Mike was kind enough to send me the sheet music which really helped me to create my own interpretation of the tune. I love the fact that Mike takes the steel in new directions, but he is also generous with his time to review more traditional steel guitar efforts. He has often provided me feedback to my own recording efforts. Plus I always enjoy spending time with Mike at some of the steel guitar conventions. I look forward to his new musicial efforts; I know that they will be adventurous and push the boundaries of the steel guitar.
Chuck

Mike is not only a great steel player and overall musician, but a great guy as well. When Curly Chalker was recovering from his stroke, Mike edited and copied (on his own dime) copies of some live video, with all the proceeds going to Curly's expense fund. He's got a big heart!

<SMALL>I'd like to post the e-mail that Mike sent me, so that everybody on the Forum could know what the greats(including Mike himself)think of this brilliant, brilliant man.</SMALL>

Stephen, what's up with this?

are you implying Mike may be engaged in some sort of fraudulent self promotion via e-mail? or that he is not as brilliant, brilliant as he says he is? or that LG (a member of Mensa), BE (the Maestro) etc have reviewed his work to be?
or that he may not be brilliant "live"?

??????


From previous e-mail discussions I have had with him and previous posts on this forum, I think Mike would be among of the first to admit his playing limitations (though his limitations are still far beyond the realm of most pickers IMO), and to say how long and hard he works in the studio to accomplish his remarkable feats of musical transcription.

I don't know if he can play "4 wheel drive" or "A Way To Survive" in a smokey Honky Tonk worth a darn, but I do admire his persistance in realizing his artistic visions.

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 30 October 2003 at 12:32 PM.]</p></FONT>

What Mike lacks in performance skill he makes up for with iconoclastic vision for steel guitar possibilities, adventurous projects, and being a liaison to musicians in other fields that would not normally even have a basis for conversation with the general steel guitarist. He's personally introduced me to symphony players who had no idea the steel guitar could do some of the things that we occasionally take for granted.

Additionally, he's written an extremely useful "general theory" manual that gets non-trained bandstand musician up and running with the practical knowledge to communicate with those who have more formal training in musical principles, like in recording sessions. How many of his critics have had books published by Mel Bay, among the major publishers of music instruction manuals in the US?

And of course, the Curly Chalker tapes many of us enjoy were greatly facilitated by his efforts.

Mike's never claimed to be a hot picker. He does have great skill with tape editing, and the knowledge of classical music to wisely pick and chose those pieces that can be adapted to steel guitar and be recorded with his particular skill sets.

He's a communicator, albeit one that could occasionally use a spell checker.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association


<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 30 October 2003 at 12:41 PM.]</p></FONT>

Stephen, I missed the sarcasm in your post the 1st time I read it. I think you are making a fool of yourself.

I too may have misunderstood my friend Stephens intitial comments..I personally think Mike is a brilliant musician as well.Mike's concepts and arrangements are extremely creative as well as his production skills. And another thing..he has one great Telecaster..so that puts him in elite company !

tp <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 30 October 2003 at 01:10 PM.]</p></FONT>

Stephen,

I believe this thread is due an explanation of your original post. I have read it and reread it and unless you were jesting, or I am unable to comperehend the written word, there is a problem here.

Assuming that you were not joking, it is one thing to state one's negative opinion about a steel guitar; and all its ramifications (on this forum) that are not directed towards a person's honor. It is another thing to use this forum to malign a forumite's character.

Again, if you were jesting, ignore this post. And we will send some smiley faces. But if you were not joking, you owe Mike and this forum a public apology.

May our precious Savior right all wrongs,

carl

"everything else was beyond my comprehansion"
said it all. Mike Perlowin is a true innovator of Steel Guitar music, akin to Dr. Hugh Jeffreys, who in the late 40,s started applying piano style chords to the Steel w/o
pedals. Mike has taken the Steel to some of those possibilities that are always spoken of. Classical music provokes more emotion than any other kind of music and to be able to get that on the Steel Guitar is a trip to the light fantastic. Keep up the great work Mike!!!

Many within this thread have displayed the ability to more eloquently expound upon the musical attributes of Mike and the possibility of unfortunate comments which may be perceived by some, much better than I could.

As I have told Mike before, I believe it to be unfortunate, but I'm of the opinion he, like many other innovators in the past, may not be recognized for their contributions until years in the future, but his time will come, if its not already here.

Did I sat anything derogatory about Mike Perlowin? Why do I feel like a victim?? Mike is a steel player, isn't he? Loved and respected by all? I'll apologize, but I feel like I'm apologizing after I got beat up! I would LOVE for you all to read the info that Mike sent me about himself. More glowing than ANY words I could type. I wish I was as respected as Mike Perlowin.
But then again, I wish I was as tall as Tony Prior.
See, that's called sarcasm. It's who I am. Carl, I love you, man. And that's NOT sarcasm.
Mike, would you mention my name???
_____________________________________________or that he is not as brilliant, brilliant as he says he is?
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though his limitations are still far beyond the realm of most pickers IMO
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Dave, better be careful, looks like YOU'RE being sarcastic, here. I've re-read everybody's posts on this thread, and I'd like to thank Donna Dodd for"getting it." Donna, just sorry you're stuck with such a dud as Tommy!!(just kidding)
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Stephen Gambrell on 30 October 2003 at 02:43 PM.]</p></FONT>

Mike is a distinguiished colleague in the realm of steel guitar innovators. There is no one that sounds like him, and he like no one else. I have adored everything he has ever recorded. He has just sent to me his new project on guitars, not steel, again embraced by his inimitable touch and unique approach to music. The realm of music, and steel guitar music in particular, would be a more drab place without the likes of Mike Perlowin. Mike, you are a great guy, fun to discuss steel guitar and music with to deep levels, and you have a biting wit that makes me chuckle. Keep at it pal.
WayneO

I think I heard a backfire.

as a longtime friends of Mike, I'd have to say that the stuff he is doing is unique and masterful. He has a vision of what can be done, and goes for it.
We should all attempt to do the same.

Winnie

I'd echo Winnie's comments above. I'm sure glad we've got Mike Perlowin around to take some of the blinders off and show us that steel guitar can be so much more than it has traditionally been. I've never heard him play any classical stuff live, but he is a killer blues wailer on steel, too. Wish I could do that (... and then I would)
Keep it goin' Mikey.

I appreciate and display sarcasm with the best of ‘em, or worst of ‘em, depending on your point of view. Just from reading between the lines, and without knowing where this all began, it seems that this thread was created more out of disrespect than sarcasm.

When in doubt, live by The Golden Rule.

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HagFan

Well, I HAVE played a gig with MikeP. It was a St Patty's day party for a retirement complex. No pay for any of us. Mike showed up in the pouring rain with not only his psg, but with two six string guitars and a mandolin.

Make no mistake, Mike can pick the hell out of the psg and make it dance at the same time, and I do mean dance. On some old rock stuff he had both back legs off the floor and the steel at 30 degrees off level.

He played "Danny Boy" by himself, with the other 5 guys in the band and the audience in totally rapt silence and awe.

It goes without saying that he and we couldn't do his classical stuff, but we did some blue grass like "Blue Moon of Kentucky" and such and he knocked everybody out with his mandolin chops. I quit taking rides and just handed it back to Mike so he could shine, and shine he did.

Now I'm not a super classical lover and may not understand all of the ins and outs of that style of music, but I enjoy listening to his albums and what they can do to advance the psg.

I honestly don't know what to say. I posted an experience, on another thread involving Mr. Perlowin's credit card, an experience I had regarding well-meaning, but problem-causing, people at the credit card company. I made a jab or two about Mr. Perlowin's lack of hair. I've made many more jokes, at my own expense, about my own baldness. I give credit to Mr. Perlowin on ANOTHER thread, for being an expert on Gretsch guitars. WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG? I even explained, in my previous post on this thread, my sarcasm, and how it's a part of who I am. Anyone who knows me, will tell you that. Yet my head is put on a chopping block???
Mr. Perlowin, I deeply apologize to you, or any of your numerous fans, for any perceived slight or insult. If I have hurt your feelings it is only because I didn't realize I was doing so. All you Perlowin fans, friends, and family, I write this in great sorrow, and with great remorse. Not for what I said, because I said it all in jest, but for not exposing my OWN sarcasm so y'all would know I was joking.
I have been posting on this Forum for a good while, now. I thought most folks had figured out the real me. I love people, and I love to have fun. I can take it, and I only put it out to people who can take it as well. I only post when I feel I can add something to the discussion. That's why most of my posting is under electronics, or no peddlers, since those are the areas where I know what I'm talking about. I realize now that Mr. Perlowin is off limits, and I won't mess with him anymore.
A lot of people, throughout history, have been misunderstood. Einstein, not learning to talk until he was three years old. Leonard Bernstein, with his flirtation with homosexuality.
And of course, my Bible is filled with men who were misunderstood.
I'm not worthy to compare myself to any of these, nor this Forum to the Scriptures. But we would ALL profit, by seeking to understand our fellow man, and learning to laugh a little.
Solomon, in Proverbs said,"A merry heart does good, like medicine."
And that's all I'm gonna say about that.):
May God bless us ALL!