| Author |
Topic: Chicago Blues Festival - two steel players |
T. C. Furlong
From:
Lake County, Illinois, USA
|
Posted 12 Jun 2006 6:05 pm |
|
Yesterday, I got to play at the Chicago Blues Festival with a wonderful Jazz/Blues singer from New York named Catherine Russell. Her dad was Louie Russell, musical director for Louis Armstrong. So we finish the set and an African-American guy comes up to me and says "you play the Franklin?" So I am thinking that he read the nameplate on the front of my steel, and maybe he thought that the instrument is called a Franklin. (many people around Chicago don't know what a steel guitar even is) So I start explaining that it is a pedal steel. He stops me and says "I know, I play a Carter" I was just a little embarrassed. He is a really nice guy, gave me a nice compliment about my solos and sets up his Carter center stage. I asked him his name, talked some steel and let him know I'd be sticking around for his set. I find out he is Roosevelt Collier and the Band is Lee Boys from Florida. Man can that cat play. The band is a Sacred Steel Band and the whole show is built around him. I think I liked his playing much more than the famous RR. Not to take anything from RR but IMHO, Roosevelt is more controlled and tasteful. What a cool experience. I thought for sure that I would be the only pedal steel player at the Chicago Blues Festival. I think Roosevelt was probably thinking the same thing! Watch out for this guy...he's awesome.
TC
|
|
|
|
David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
|
Posted 12 Jun 2006 7:02 pm
|
|
TC, what kind of stuff did you play with Catherine Russell. What kind of tuning did you use, and what was your amp/FX? Same questions about Roosevelt Collier. The reason I ask, is because I play with a blues/jazz band here in Philly.
------------------
Student of the Steel: Zum uni, Fender tube amps, squareneck and roundneck resos, tenor sax, keyboards
|
|
|
|
T. C. Furlong
From:
Lake County, Illinois, USA
|
Posted 12 Jun 2006 7:44 pm
|
|
Hey Dave,
Catherine does a nice variety of old swing, 40's blues and even a country shuffle. She has a new record out entitled Cat. You Can check it out here. http://www.worldvillagemusic.com/anglais/artistesfiche.php?artist_id=74
I play C6th with a pretty standard copedant. I go for a fat traditional clean steel sound. I normally use a Revelation Tube Pre, a TC Electronics M-One for reverb and a little delay, and one or two self-powered 12" cabinets that I build. Roosevelt told me he plays a standard E7th Sacred Steel tuning. He played with a wah through a re-issue Fender Super Reverb. I am pretty sure that distortion was the amp breaking up. Really zippy tele sort of sound.
TC
|
|
|
|
Damir Besic
From:
Nashville,TN.
|
Posted 12 Jun 2006 8:29 pm
|
|
I was down town at the BB King club,they had a good blues/soul band,I would love to play in the band like that
Db
------------------
"Promat"
~when tone matters~ www.promatsteelguitars.com
|
|
|
|
Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
|
Posted 12 Jun 2006 9:39 pm
|
|
Roosevelt rocks!
------------------
www.tyack.com
|
|
|
|
Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
|
Posted 13 Jun 2006 1:12 am
|
|
very cool indeed...
So do you play a Franklin or a Pedal Steel ?
t 
|
|
|
|
Bob Stone
From:
Gainesville, FL, USA
|
Posted 13 Jun 2006 3:16 am
|
|
Go Velt!
Roosevelt is a wonderful musician and at that age where his playing is growing by leaps and bounds. The band is three brothers and their three nephews.
I had the pleasure of producing their current CD for Arhoolie Records, "Say Yes!"[This message was edited by Bob Stone on 13 June 2006 at 04:18 AM.] |
|
|
|
Bill McCloskey
From:
Nanuet, NY
|
Posted 13 Jun 2006 3:25 am
|
|
| The Lee Boys cd that Bob produced is fantastic and on heavy rotation on my Ipod. I highly recommend it. |
|
|
|
Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
|
Posted 13 Jun 2006 4:17 am
|
|
| Cool - more music for me to check out...and swipe licks from.... |
|
|
|
Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
|
Posted 13 Jun 2006 5:12 am
|
|
| T.C., that's a really great pic. You should send it to him. Classic shot, IMO. |
|
|
|
