Robert Randolph, quite a talent!

Nick Reed · From: Russellville, KY USA

I used to not care much for his music, but I've been watching a video of Robert Randolph and his Family Band recorded live at Ausin City Limits. Let's face it the boy can play the heck out of that Blue Fessenden and what he plays is good stuff! He also featured several quests who played non pedal guitars like a old Sho-Bud biscuitboard & a Fender Deluxe 8. A great show incorporating both Pedal & Non-Pedal guitars. These guys don't play the same type of music I do, but they've definately taken the Steel Guitar to a whole new level. It's appearent that Robert's roots come from the Sacred Steel Guitar Association.

After watching this video, I've gained a whole new respect for the music of Robert Randolph and the Family Band.

Nick

[This message was edited by Nick Reed on 06 January 2006 at 04:31 PM.]

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Hey Nick, do you ever play any of the Sacred Steel music on your radio station? If so, what is the reaction of your audience?

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

I discovered Robert a few years back from his c.d.THE WORD,which I think is his best.I for one welcome the attention he is getting from a lot of people who had no idea what a steel was.To his critics[which I think are few]Name ONE artist or group that puts this wonderful instrument FRONT AND CENTER in your face all night long.

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

When I saw that Letterman perfomance video clip,
where his hat copmes flying off during a solo,
I said ;
ooh la la, I gotta watch what this cat does in the future!

I still go and show that to people who don't know steel and uniformaly they love it

And for those who will shortly come grumping,
about this and that RR beef.
Read THE FRONT OF HIS STEEL. and then go chill.

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

yeah Bro D !

Mo' Love !

Nick, glad to see ya' comin' round.... the bend
while yer at it, check out Aubrey Ghent, forum member Del Ray : Amazing Grace Praise Band, last but not least: the Campbell Bros
our Capt' got these sides available right here : http://pedalsteelmusic.com/music.html

[This message was edited by CrowBear Schmitt on 07 January 2006 at 02:28 AM.]

richard burton · From: Britain

He's probably the greatest steel player of all time.

I have never heard any other player make the sounds that RR does.

He is truely awsome.

The only act that springs to my mind that was anywhere near comparable, was a British duo, I don't think they are still performing, Norman Norfolk and Gary Goode.

Norfolk and Goode were a truly memorable act.

Rick Garrett · From: Tyler, Texas

"He's probably the greatest steel player of all time."

That one line right there will surely bring the masses and they'll probably have a rope with them.

I too think RR is an amazing talent! He really plays the fire out of that Fessy.

Rick

Billy Murdoch · From: Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.

Richard,
I much prefer Folk'n Country
Best regards
Billy

richard burton · From: Britain

The pinnacle of Norfolk and Goode's career was with their LP 'Folk'n Sheep', which was a brave attempt at cornering the rural market.

Unfortunately, the title was misconstrued, and wasn't helped by the rather ambiguous cover photograph.

Shortly afterwards, Gary Goode quit the duo in mysterious circumstances, and was replaced by Graham Giggs.

Webb Kline · From: Orangeville, PA

Let me tell you an interesting little story. We do a funky version of "People Get Ready" and, inspired by Randolph, I decided to incorporate his steel style into the song. When we played it in front of a bunch of college kids, they went nuts over it. All the musician wannabes were surrounding my steel the whole time affirming their approval.

Later we did stuff like "Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man," "Tonight the Bottle Let me Down," etc., and thet were right back up there watching me play and digging it. Some of them are begging me to come and do some gigs with them. Being that I'm a 50 year old preacherman and they're less than 1/2 of that, that says something.

My point is that prior to getting their attention with the Randolphesque approach to "People" they had never even noticed my steel when we played there. Now it is like they found the Holy Grail. When they see me on the street, they stop and talk to me. I'm Mr. Cool.

History will prove that Robert will only serve to help the steel guitar community. And He's helping me get a bunch of drunken college kids to come to church!

[This message was edited by Webb Kline on 07 January 2006 at 05:24 AM.]

Lonnie Bennett · From: Upstate New York

Hello Mr.Kline,
I work and live most of the week, about an hour from you in Hallstead, PA. Would you tell me where your playing? I would like come hear you and your band where ever you play. Thanks

------------------
Big Ben

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

"Richard,
I much prefer Folk'n Country
Best regards
Billy"

Now THAT was a nice response! Simple, respectful, and not insulting towards anyone.

I understand many players here prefer folk and country and that's great. They should be able to understand that there are many who DON'T prefer folk and country, and to them RR might BE the greatest steel players ever - in the style they prefer.

Personally, I think Sneaky Pete is the greatest steel player ever. He plays a particular style I prefer, and in my opinion is the best at it.

But surely a country player could say Buddy Emmons or Paul Franklin (or any one of many others) is the greatest steel player ever - and not be wrong either.

[This message was edited by Jim Sliff on 07 January 2006 at 08:11 AM.]

richard burton · From: Britain

Robert Randolph IS Norfolk and Goode, reincarnated, I'm convinced.

Steve Dodson · From: Sparta, Tennessee, USA

I'm not going to put Mr Randolph down.If what he is doing makes him click thats find. But I would like to hear him play and leave all the distortion box's and crunch pedal's at home,and see what he could do. This is not a put down,but just curious. I know some steel players from back in the 70's that was doing the same thing Mr Randolph is doing and doing it just as well. And everyone is like look at the goofy steel player trying to play Rock music on steel guitar. And these guy's where burning some good licks on that steel.

[This message was edited by Steve Dodson on 07 January 2006 at 08:57 AM.]

[This message was edited by Steve Dodson on 07 January 2006 at 09:04 AM.]

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

"But I would like to hear him play and leave all the distortion boxe's and crunch pedal's at home,and see what he could do."

Actually, if you do a little searching there are some live boots on the net that have spots where he plays sections sans distortion, and the guy certainly does know how to play - and very, very well.

But "I'd like to hear him play without distortion" is back to the same old thing - saying he has to change his style to be respected by certain players.

Why not just go with the fact that he's good at what HE does (playing steel in his style AND entertaining audiences - with the second part FAR more important) - he doesn't need to play squeaky-clean country stuff to be a good player - only to be a good country player. I know the comment wasn't disrepectful at all, but it's still reflective of needing to have a "fish out of water" to prove himself, which is rather irrelevant.

Man, this reminds me of Guitar Player Magazine in the early '70's - jazz players consistently dissed rock players because of their tone and style, i.e. "it's just a bunch of noise".

"And everyone said look at the goofy steel player trying to play Rock music on steel guitar."

In 1970's Tennessee I don't doubt that at all. Especially since it STILL seems to bbe heard on this forum.

This place is often an odd time machine....

[This message was edited by Jim Sliff on 07 January 2006 at 09:11 AM.]

richard burton · From: Britain

I'm enjoying this trip down memory lane.

Giggs wasn't with Norfolk very long, and another steel player (Clarence Clue) replaced him.

Clue had a very early pedal steel, indeed it was so old that it still had the original clockwork wind-up mechanism.

All their subsequent recordings had the same tempo, no matter if it was a waltz or a shuffle, to mask the ticking of the clockwork mechanism.

Keith Cordell · From: San Diego

Steve, send me an email and I'll send you a couple of files of him playing pure twang country, or his closest approximation of it.

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

I'll repeat what I said earlier about RR. I think what he does is very exciting the first time you hear him, but gets old upon repeated listenings. I want to know what else he can do.

I believe he has the potential to grow as a musician and I'd like to see him start incorporating other elements, perhaps jazz or fusion, into his playing.

Of course, if he strays too far, too quickly, he may lose his audience. But if he continues to do what he's doing now, in 10 years he'll just be tired and boring.

BTW I saw Robert before he hit it big, and went backstage and introduced myself to him after his perfromance. To my surprise, he knew who I was. He was really friendly, and very interested in talking about steel guitars. He wanted to see mine with it's wrist lever. We made plans to get together the next time he was in town, but by then, he had become a star and it never happened.

Henry Nagle · From: Santa Rosa, California

Richard... Are you putting us on?

Bill McCloskey · From: Nanuet, NY

In all these debates on RR, one thing that I've never understood: do the people who hate RR, enjoy the genre of music he plays? But they just don't like the way he plays it? or is it that they don't like the genre and thus they don't like him. Big distinction I think.

If you don't like the genre, than what's the point of talking. I'm not a fan of country but I don't say Buddy Emmons is a lousy Steel Player because I don't like the style he plays in. It would be absurd.

My guess is that most of the folks who don't like RR or think he should change, don't fundementally enjoy the style of music. I personally love both the style and his playing within that style.

[This message was edited by Bill McCloskey on 07 January 2006 at 10:21 AM.]

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

Gene, you renegade you. Echo-plex! Cord-O-Vox! They shoot the messenger and not the message.
Which is what I think is happening with RR.
I thought commercial was the idea, to sell records.
Maybe he's playing exactly what he wants to, and it's currently hip.
I envision him as a jazz artist someday, but that's my agenda. He may be perfectly cool with his music. Rock on!

Michael Johnstone · From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

Norfolk'n Clue. heh heh heh...

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