Is the MUSIC of TODAY 'STEELABLE"????

Ed Naylor · Post by **Ed Naylor** » 12 Feb 2005 5:50 am

With the changing music world I am wondering how many "HIT" songs of today would make good STEEL Instrumentals.In years gone bye most songs had a MELODY and that could be identifed almost immediately. Any comments???. ED Naylor Steel Guitar Works.

Danny James · Post by **Danny James** » 12 Feb 2005 8:47 am

Ed,
I am from the old school, where most songs were written in the form of poetry and the chords followed some kind of progression. Maybe it's what I grew up with but it is still what I like best. I'm sorry but I just can't get to liking most (not all) of this new country stuff that is all over the place and seems to be going nowhere. Just my opinion.
No offense meant to anyone with different tastes. Sometimes I think I have outlived my own generation.
Danny James (SOUNDS OF YESTERDAY)

Tony Farr · Post by **Tony Farr** » 12 Feb 2005 9:32 am

Danny, I'm with you on that. I'm still living in the past and loving it. If you can't make to steel seem like it is talking out the words to a song, then it ain't country. Yes I like some of the new songs but not to many.

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 12 Feb 2005 9:32 am

Many, if not most, of the folks turning out "hit" music these days are simply sampling and looping stuff on their computers. They couldn't play a major scale if it meant their life (never mind picking out a C#mb5 chord on ANY instrument) but they sure know how to use the reverb plug-ins in their Pro Tools software.

Then again, when Bill Haley copped Louis Jordan's concept of a small novelty combo and started turning out stuff like "Rock Around the Clock" a lot of folks were convinced that the Devil himself was behind it.

Then there was J.S. Bach, who wrote stuff that everyone agreed was definitely NOT really music. And that guy Beethoven, boy did HE ever have it wrong when he first showed up! Don't even get me started on Bartok and Mahler....

"Hit" music aside, there are still a huge number of truly brilliant writers out there and their music is emminently "steelable" - we just don't hear them on the top-40 radio stations. Such artists can be heard on some independent radio stations and are appearing in your smaller local venues every week, though, and they need our support to continue doing so.
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<img align=right src="http://www.pdxaudio.com/dgsept03.jpg" width="114 height="114">Dave Grafe - email: dg@pdxaudio.com
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[This message was edited by Dave Grafe on 12 February 2005 at 09:47 AM.]

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 12 Feb 2005 10:15 am

Hi Ed:

Great topic and needs to be explored. I am playing in a new country band and I find that it is more 70's rock than country. That does not mean I don't find a place for myself in the mix but it is difficult at times.

The new country music seems to have a little space here and there for the steel to get in and out, but what do you do in the other 90% of the song? I comp rythm and accents. Anyone care to comment on the above?

Lenny
[This message was edited by Len Amaral on 12 February 2005 at 10:17 AM.]

Webb Kline · Post by **Webb Kline** » 12 Feb 2005 10:20 am

Great subject Ed, and excellent points by all. There must be some of it that would fit the bill, but I surely can't think of anything off the top of my head.

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John Steele · Post by **John Steele** » 12 Feb 2005 10:54 am

When Lloyd Green played St. Louis a few years ago, he explained that he had hoped to prepare some new material for his set, but ran into a problem.
The new music is based so much on rhythm and lyrics, and not so much on melody. He said he found when you remove the lyrics to some of these tunes, the architecture of the tune collapses, and you're left with nothing to play. I agree.
"So I'll just have to play some old songs today" he said.
Suited me just fine!
-John

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www.ottawajazz.com [This message was edited by John Steele on 12 February 2005 at 10:55 AM.]

Tracy Sheehan · Post by **Tracy Sheehan** » 12 Feb 2005 10:54 am

Ed i have posted on another thread before but here goes again.After playing steel for a living for 50 years and mostly on the road,i took a week end job some time back and felt like a beginner.I haven't listened to the radio for 3 or 4 years so i am not up on what ever this is many call music.Of course playing steel, i know all the older country songs.Even learned Color My World,Misty,etc pop music on the band stand.And before the flame throwers come out,yes i realize times change.Now to get to your question.I had a hard time that night because this new stuff has no melody to follow.It all sounds the same and all the pickers i know say the same thing..Oh yes,i was told by a guitar player Ray Price songs all sound alike.I asked him if he could play Night life and for the good times,don't go too far,etc.my 02.cents worth and we all know what thats worth now days.LOL

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 12 Feb 2005 11:11 am

I suppose rap could be played on a steel if you have one of Alvino Rey's talking steel guitar units.

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In my life, I have experienced both wealth and poverty, and after carefully comparing the two, I've come to the conclusion that wealth is better.

[This message was edited by Mike Perlowin on 12 February 2005 at 11:12 AM.]

Lem Smith · Post by **Lem Smith** » 12 Feb 2005 12:10 pm

A lot of the newer stuff probably wouldn't make for a good instrumental, but I think Lee Ann Womack's new song, "I may hate myself in the morning" would be a pretty good candidate though. A few of her other tunes would probably translate over to instrumental pretty well also.

Several of Vince Gill's songs would make good instrumentals too I would think.

Lem

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 12 Feb 2005 12:24 pm

...um, like "Look at Us" for example??

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 13 Feb 2005 5:35 am

I am with Tony with this one, I guess I am living in the past. At 45 years of age I just do not care for country music today. Lloyd Green is right about the structure and melodies of a song, they just fall apart. You almost have to go to the Gospel Music to find some good country, and that is in Southern Gospel and Christian Country. You will find the name Sonny Garrish on many projects down through the years. I rarely ever listen to any radio from the artists that are out today. I know several people who like the new country but I will have to pass on it.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 13 Feb 2005 7:48 am

I firmly believe that ANY music is 'steelable'.

Problem is not with the music, it's with the musician.

I wholeheartedly agree that it was wonderful when every country record had a full verse -- if not a verse and chorus -- of steel solo. But, those days are no more. We still have the legacy of recordings to remember them by, but today's music is different. Not better or worse, just different. I applaud Paul Franklin, Sonny Garrish, Bruce Bouton, Danny Dugmore, and all the others who are on the hits of today for being able to adapt and contribute to WHATEVER the industry throws at them.

Just my opinion.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
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James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 13 Feb 2005 8:53 am

"If you can't make . . . steel seem like it is talking out the words to a song, then it ain't country."
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Well said, indeed, Tony!

Robby Springfield · Post by **Robby Springfield** » 13 Feb 2005 1:22 pm

I don't write about this stuff too much but couldn't resist this one.

I grew up in my dad's band playing all the old school stuff...and loved every minute of it and still do for that matter. Nothing strikes my emotions like the good old country.

With that said, where are we going to be in 20 more years if we don't step up to the challenge facing the steel guitar world. Let's face it, there is nothing permanent except change itself. Music will not stand still and remain the same. We should never allow what hasn't been done to limit us in what can or might be done.

Every other traditional instrument in country music has managed to remain active in today’s recordings...including the banjo which has made quite the come back...which leads me to my next point.

The banjo made it's way back into today’s music not because the material started lending itself towards that instrument, but rather because of the approach to the material taken by the musician. The same applies to the steel. It is the player’s responsibility to make the instrument they play to not only fit in, but also compliment the material at hand as a musician and not just as a steel player...or what ever you play.

Can you imagine Buddy Emmons approaching a jazz song with stock E9 licks? Probably not! Buddy took a new or different approach and became an enervator rather than a bystander.

As for today’s new country, the challenge for steel players is to take a new or different approach to playing that music. Learning new things keeps the brain active and the heart young...which is a good thing for this 48-year-old man. There is enjoyment and fulfillment in the journey if one will allow it.

As for my favorites...it's still the old crying in your beer country but when it comes to putting food on the table, I'll keep searching for a way to make my instrument work for the task at hand.

Robby...
What ever the mind of man can conceive and believe. he can achieve!

Tony Palmer · Post by **Tony Palmer** » 13 Feb 2005 6:17 pm

The new music is indeed, different.
As John was explaining, when you take out the lyrics and especially the chords, there's not much of a melody left.
It's good listenable music but most of it seems to rely on intricate chord structure and heavy arrangements to carry the song, rather than be melody-driven.
As Len said, there's little pockets where a steel can fit in, but if you have to struggle just to fit in those fills, how can any of these songs ever make it as a steel instrumental?
(although I agree most Vince Gill songs make good instrumentals...give a listen to Mike Headrick's CD's)

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 13 Feb 2005 9:58 pm

I am from the old school, where most songs were written in the form of poetry

My favorite country poetry example is that Lorreta and Conway tune where they rhymed Haggard and Husky with Tchaikovsky. Now that's genius.

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Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 13 Feb 2005 11:12 pm

Sorry that was Jones and Wynette (We;re not the jet set). In any case, pure genius.

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Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 13 Feb 2005 11:16 pm

To get back on topic, several tunes from Nora Jones debut CD are eminently 'steelable'.

Jerry Clardy · Post by **Jerry Clardy** » 14 Feb 2005 6:42 am

To me, the challenge is for the steel players to adapt to the ever-changing styles of music. Else, it will only fit the styles they have adapted to.

Many people can play and have played more than one style of music on steel. The instrument is general-purpose. I don't believe that is the case for any one style.

IMO the music of today is "steelable."

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 14 Feb 2005 9:07 am

Lloyd Green has always come up with stunning arrangements of current pop and country tunes.

Even with his astute comments regarding "new country" (watch the Lloyd & Tommy video), I bet he could find a tune from the last five years and make it his own.

Anyone who does the least bit of session work has to be able to fit their style to a new song, good or bad.

What would be a current or recent tune worth a steel guitar "rendering"?

Drew

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<pre>Drew Howard - website - Fessy D-10 8/8, Magnatone S-8, N400's, BOSS RV-3</pre>

[This message was edited by Drew Howard on 14 February 2005 at 09:10 AM.]

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 14 Feb 2005 9:41 am

To get back on topic, several tunes from Nora Jones debut CD are eminently 'steelable'.

Like this one , for example

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Post by **Joey Ace** » 14 Feb 2005 9:52 am

Funny you should ask, Drew....

I was just working up Leann Wolmack's new song "I May Hate Myself In The Morning" and thinking what a great Steel Instrumental it would make.

I'm learning it as recorded, since I play in a cover band, but it has the right stuff for an instrumental. Even a modulation that the steel leads into by going to the 5 chord of the new key.

And John...
When Lloyd said that, he was introducing his instrumental version of a recent Hank Jr song, "Bluesman". That made an excellent instrumental. Mike Sweeney even did an arrangement of it on one of his Steel CDs.

Another good-un for an instrumental would be Gretchen Wilson's "When I Think About Cheatin". It's interesting to note that the Steeler on Gretchen's recording is Russ Pahl, who produced Lloyd's "Revisited" CD.

Post by **Joey Ace** » 14 Feb 2005 9:59 am

Dang Larry! That's beautiful!

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 14 Feb 2005 1:45 pm

Just give me Buddy Emmons' steel break in Ray Price's "Cold Cold Heart" and I'll never need a radio again.