Why "Expedition E9" Is The Greatest Steel Record Ever Made
Posted: 6 Jul 2001 8:13 am
Can you say "tour de force?"
This 8-song gem has it all: wickedly fast yet melodic right-hand plectrum, all completely clean; gorgeous, tuneful harmonics as well as a "Dung Chow Ping;" rich, supple tone; masterful touch and shading on the pedals/knees; impeccable bar movement - not just improbably fast and precise hammer-ons and -offs but lovely sweeping glisses, vibratos and sustains, every note crystal clear and accounted for. And the sheer musicality of the set dominates everything. This isn't just an exercise in technique - it's genuinely interesting, great music.
Let's examine just a few of "Expo's" elements.
THE SONGS: 2 shuffles, Western Swing, contemporary, bluegrass, a standard, a TV theme song (an original BTW) and a weeper. Come on! This is essential, fundamental pedal steel guitar music. It's not an experimental exercise or an attempt to extend the instrument's boundaries further than the artist already has. It's a perfect showcase for the breadth and scope of the E9 tuning in the hands of a master.
THE BAND: Excellent musicians who set a nice table for the main course. Check out especially "I Love You Because."
THE ARRANGEMENTS: Tight, no filler. This makes "Expo" the ideal introductory steel album - it's short, varied and excellent. Give it to all your 6-string friends for Christmas, birthdays, etc. Ernie probably has a couple of extra copies for sale.
THE TONE: Check out the rich, fat tone on "I Just Destroyed The World." The right hand attack and execution is breathtaking throughout the album - I find my right hand twitching involuntarily, trying to keep up with the artist. The bar in his left hand flashes like D'Artagnan's sword or Picasso's brush: perfection. The tone on "Nashville Alive" is to die for, from the harmonics to the 32nd note runs to the AB pedal mashes. And check out the ending to "Brian's Song" - the lower range has the presence and majesty of a big church pipe organ.
THE EXECUTION: Blind murdering speed? We got your thrills right here on "I Love You Because," "Nashville," and "Flinthill Special." Harmonics? "Destroyed's" wraith-like notes paint a vivid picture, kind of like an aural Edvard Munch "Scream," and reminiscent of Gogi Grant's "Wayward Wind." (Well, sort of). Is the artist playing a 10-string guitar or 5-string banjo on "Flinthill?" Darned if I can tell, but you'll laugh out loud, the ending is so quick and so tight.
THE ARTIST: Buddy Emmons.
All the above elements exist in various combinations on other albums Buddy has done but never IMHO all together and all in one place. "Expedition E9" is an encyclopedia in 8 songs.
BTW, just to clarify: the greatest C6 steel record ever made IMHO is "Steel Guitar Jazz."
This 8-song gem has it all: wickedly fast yet melodic right-hand plectrum, all completely clean; gorgeous, tuneful harmonics as well as a "Dung Chow Ping;" rich, supple tone; masterful touch and shading on the pedals/knees; impeccable bar movement - not just improbably fast and precise hammer-ons and -offs but lovely sweeping glisses, vibratos and sustains, every note crystal clear and accounted for. And the sheer musicality of the set dominates everything. This isn't just an exercise in technique - it's genuinely interesting, great music.
Let's examine just a few of "Expo's" elements.
THE SONGS: 2 shuffles, Western Swing, contemporary, bluegrass, a standard, a TV theme song (an original BTW) and a weeper. Come on! This is essential, fundamental pedal steel guitar music. It's not an experimental exercise or an attempt to extend the instrument's boundaries further than the artist already has. It's a perfect showcase for the breadth and scope of the E9 tuning in the hands of a master.
THE BAND: Excellent musicians who set a nice table for the main course. Check out especially "I Love You Because."
THE ARRANGEMENTS: Tight, no filler. This makes "Expo" the ideal introductory steel album - it's short, varied and excellent. Give it to all your 6-string friends for Christmas, birthdays, etc. Ernie probably has a couple of extra copies for sale.
THE TONE: Check out the rich, fat tone on "I Just Destroyed The World." The right hand attack and execution is breathtaking throughout the album - I find my right hand twitching involuntarily, trying to keep up with the artist. The bar in his left hand flashes like D'Artagnan's sword or Picasso's brush: perfection. The tone on "Nashville Alive" is to die for, from the harmonics to the 32nd note runs to the AB pedal mashes. And check out the ending to "Brian's Song" - the lower range has the presence and majesty of a big church pipe organ.
THE EXECUTION: Blind murdering speed? We got your thrills right here on "I Love You Because," "Nashville," and "Flinthill Special." Harmonics? "Destroyed's" wraith-like notes paint a vivid picture, kind of like an aural Edvard Munch "Scream," and reminiscent of Gogi Grant's "Wayward Wind." (Well, sort of). Is the artist playing a 10-string guitar or 5-string banjo on "Flinthill?" Darned if I can tell, but you'll laugh out loud, the ending is so quick and so tight.
THE ARTIST: Buddy Emmons.
All the above elements exist in various combinations on other albums Buddy has done but never IMHO all together and all in one place. "Expedition E9" is an encyclopedia in 8 songs.
BTW, just to clarify: the greatest C6 steel record ever made IMHO is "Steel Guitar Jazz."
