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Topic: Questions for Sonny Garrish |
Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 16 Nov 2004 6:14 pm |
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Sonny,
I have been doing a few shows now and then with Joni Harms over the past several years (since her "Cowgirl Dreams" came out on Warner Western) and of course spending a lot of time listening to and/or studying your excellent picking on her various tracks over several albums through the years.
First I must thank you for giving me quite a few new and great ideas to stretch for, not to mention figuring out how to do all that great swing stuff on my old ShoBud S10 E9 3+2. Your vocabulary is right in line with my interests as far as classic country and western swing style goes.
There are of course a few bits I have not figured out yet, so my question is if you wouldn't mind taking a few moments to fill a curious picker in on just a couple of spots that have me stumped?
I know she really loves it when she hears a passage "right off the record" 'cause she always turns around and grins. She prefers the live tunes to sound just like the recordings (so do I for the most part) but once I get the original licks down it's lots of fun to work around the signature figures and make a few choices of my own, staying true to the style if not the exact substance of the originals. I always figured it's no sin to break the law a little bit ONCE I understand what the law is and why it's there.
If I'm successful the audience will never know that I'm not the guy who played all that fine stuff on the record, good for me, better for her. Of course, if I screw it up it leaves no doubt whatsoever that I am NOT.
Questions:
Did you play on any of the tracks on the Ken Isham-produced album "After All?" If so, there is a quick run in the second line of the refrain of "More Than Your Eyes Can See" - right after she sings "hold me tenderly" - the same note twice in succession in the middle of a run but seemingly on different strings, I can't figure out what is going on there. I know she'd fall right over if she ever heard that one happen but so far I haven't found it.
The other line I am curious about is from "Let's Put the Western Back In the Country" - I know that you played on that one and I am curious to know how YOU are playing the VERY spiffy run in the fourth line of the refrain, after she sings "rode off in the sun and disappeared" - I have it starting up from the 10 string but I wonder if there is another way to play it that I haven't discovered.
I know you are only working about sixty sessions a week so will not be offended if you never get around to a reply, but still I am curious and I know that there will be never be an answer to a question unasked. In any case, thanks again for all that you do and all the great chops and ideas that so many of us have gained over the years due to your fine work.
Remember: Amateurs copy, professionals steel.
Many, many thanks and best regards,
Dave
 Dave Grafe - email: dg@pdxaudio.com
PDX Audio
Music
1978 ShoBud Pro I E9, 1960 Les Paul (SG) Deluxe, 1963 Precision Bass, 1954 Gibson LGO, 1897 Washburn Hawaiian Steel Conversion[This message was edited by Dave Grafe on 27 December 2004 at 04:37 PM.] |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 27 Dec 2004 4:40 pm
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| bump it up!!! |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 27 Dec 2004 9:58 pm
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Dave,
Maybe you could post an MP3 of the licks and give some of the forum guys a crack at them.
I had some of the same experiencse as you while I was playing in a cover band trying to nail Sonny Garrish's parts. He is one of the real greats.
------------------
Bob
intonation help
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 31 Dec 2004 10:52 am
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Here they are (if I can get the links to work right):
http://www.pdxaudio.com/more_than_your_refrain.mp3
Joni Harms, More Than Your Eyes Can See from her CD "After All"
http://www.pdxaudio.com/lets_put_the_refrain.mp3
Joni Harms, Let's Put the Western Back In the Country from her CD of the same name on Wildcatter Records. (Note: This album received the 2004 Academy of Western Artists Award award for “Western Album of the Year”).
The bit with the same note repeated on two strings at the end of the "more than" clip has me stumped, the very spiffy run at the end of the "let's put" clip I have starting on the 10 string at the 17th (?) fret, anybody got any other ideas?
You can find more information about Joni as well as order her excellent music at www.joniharms.com - any fan of western music should check out her great material!
Best -- dg
(edited until I got the technology right :>)[This message was edited by Dave Grafe on 31 December 2004 at 11:16 AM.] |
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richard burton
From:
Britain
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Posted 31 Dec 2004 11:35 am
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He could be using the 1st and 4th strings for the two notes in quick succession:
Raise 1st string 1/2 tone with knee lever(whilst pressing pedal C).
Pick first string,release knee lever, then pick 4th string, release pedal C and slide back 2 frets, allowing 4th to ring throughout whilst blocking 1st.
R B[This message was edited by richard burton on 31 December 2004 at 11:38 AM.] |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 31 Dec 2004 12:29 pm
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Sounds like he's at a fret 8 ("C" position), starting on the 3rd string with the "B" pedal engaged, releasing the "B" pedal, then hitting the 1st string with the F#-G# engaged, releasing that...and then hitting strings 4 & 5 w/no pedals.
That's my take on it, anyway!  |
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 31 Dec 2004 12:56 pm
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I got what DH got.
The posted C pedal substitute will work if you don't raise the 1st string. Or I suppose a 2nd string whole step drop/A pedal 6th whole note raise (unison) up on the neck etc. Lots of times you can tell by the thinner sounds of the smaller strings. Sounds like a 1sr string raise from here.
I myself only raise my 1st string a half step while raising the lower F# a whole tone.
On my Marrs, things will be different, and I'll have a half stop for both.
The second one is possibly C6 from the (bigger) sound of the strings, but there are a couple E9ers that would work.
My guitar will be at the gig(s) til sunday AM so maybe I can post a couple clips then.
Happy New Year.
EJL |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 31 Dec 2004 4:45 pm
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Thanks, guys, I'll try out your suggestions, see if there's something there that works for me.
Eric, I called the Flying M but their lodging is totally booked. It's something of a far trek and a bit too cold and wet for camping out with the wife right now, guess I won't make it out to your NYE gig, will catch you down the line somewhere later.
dg |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 31 Dec 2004 5:27 pm
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| By the way, Dave, I'm not aware that Sonny Garrish is a member of the forum or that he even reads it as a nonmember. If you really want his reply, you may have to try a different way to reach him. |
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 31 Dec 2004 5:36 pm
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Dave. We're playing at Jubitz next weekend. Let me know and I'll get your covers.
Nothing but cops down Yamhill way anyhow. I just did 4 hours in a traffic school for a ticket they nabbed me for a couple months ago..
Now I've vowed they won't take me alive..
Happy New Year.
EJL |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 31 Dec 2004 6:40 pm
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| You could be right, Jim, but I thought I saw a comment from him last month somewhere here, might have been a halliburration on my part....dg |
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