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Topic: Lead guitarists who play sympathetically with steel players? |
Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 11 Nov 2009 8:13 am |
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The late and wonderful Bobby Caldwell was the epitome of a guitarist who did everything that he could to enhance the performance of those steel players that he accompanied. Some of his work behind Curly Chalker in particular was absolutely spot on taste-wise.
Other US lead players that I have seen in my life who I felt had a real empathy with steel players are Wayne Gray and Andy Reiss.
Any others that anyone would like to add?
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Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E, |
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Allan Thompson
From:
Scotland.
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Posted 11 Nov 2009 9:07 am
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| Canadian, Steve Piticco. |
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George Brown
From:
Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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Posted 11 Nov 2009 9:30 am
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Woody Ledford is one of the best that I've heard. I believe that Woody is from Georgia, and he either furnishes,or plays in the House Band, at all the MASGA Steel Shows in our part of the world.
Incidentally, Woody is having some serious Health problems at this time. I Pray for his complete, and speedy recovery.
George... |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 11 Nov 2009 9:30 am
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A huge nod in the direction of Van Manakas!!!
I was lucky enough to be with Van on guitar on my very first gig in the USA!
It was 'Always, Patsy Cline' at Mill Mountain Theatre in Roanoke, VA. I'll never forget a conversation I'd had with steel-guitar maestro, John Widgren before the gig started. John was a new acquaintance of mine at that time, and, when I told him who was in the band on my upcoming 'debut' gig, he said to me: 'You're in for a treat - Van is a GREAT player!'
He was absolutely right, and I had the happiest of starts to my US career. He loves steel guitar, and knows exactly how to complement any musician. Many of you will know Van from the CT steel guitar festival, and from his great work on Doug Jernigan's CD, 'Jazz By Jernigan'. Van is also a gentle and lovable human being - he remains one of my most valued friends in music.
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
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Posted 11 Nov 2009 9:39 am
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Two of the finest have recently left us. Bobby C., of course, and Leon Chambers. Leon, though perhaps not as well known as Bobby, was bandleader of the Texas Jamboree band and a Western Swing legend in the Lone Star State. Tom Morrell's comment about Leon Chambers was "God's own guitarist. If you can play a clean melody, he'll play a harmony above and below you."
I'll also mention five excellent players with whom I've had the pleasure of sharing stage space in the last few years.
Rick McRae, lead guitarist for George Strait's band and simply one of the finest jazz guitarists in Texas and is always song-appropriate.
Redd Volkaert, who listens to the steel player and musically comments in his own wacky and inspirational way.
Buzz Evans, like Redd but a hair less (no pun intended, Buzz-ster!  ) wacky. Buzz is a steel player also, so he knows what a steel player wants to hear behind him, as well as a fellow soloist.
David Biller, who in addition to being an up-and-coming steel guitar monstrosity, is also Rick McRae's rival as top jazz guitarist in Austin and is a walking encyclopedia of classic solos.
Rich O'Brien, another swing monster from North Texas who, though with a different style than Leon Chambers, is every bit his musical equal.
None of these guys are "better" than any of the others. When you're discussing the level they're on, there's only "great," and "just as great."
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My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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Cal Sharp
From:
the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN
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Posted 11 Nov 2009 9:40 am
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Me. I know how to lay out or at least play something unobtrusive when it's the steel player's turn. I wish more guitarists would extend the same courtesy to me when I'm on steel. 
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C#
Me: Steel Guitar Madness
Latest ebook: Steel Guitar Insanity
Custom Made Covers for Steel Guitars & Amps at Sharp Covers Nashville |
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Cal Sharp
From:
the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN
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Posted 11 Nov 2009 9:45 am
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I just read Herb's post. Yeah, Redd's great, the way he really does listen and make musical comments to what you play. Another great one down that way is Pete Mitchell, who plays with as much taste as anyone, and who always gives the steel player all the room he needs.
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C#
Me: Steel Guitar Madness
Latest ebook: Steel Guitar Insanity
Custom Made Covers for Steel Guitars & Amps at Sharp Covers Nashville |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
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Posted 11 Nov 2009 10:06 am
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OMG!!! Cal is totally correct in his description of Pete Mitchell's style! How could I have forgotten Pete?
We played together for two years in James Hand's band and it was musical magic. We haven't worked together in the last three or four years and it must have slipped my mind.
Back in 2004, I even mentioned to Buddy E. the way Pete and I played together, and he said "that synergy is very rare, try to keep it that way."
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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Cal Sharp
From:
the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 11 Nov 2009 12:00 pm About that BIGSBY!
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Hey CAL!
What's the name that's on the pick guard of that BIGSBY in your photo? (atleast, it looks like a Bigsby!)
I've had the musical pleasure for many years to play along side a good friend that without compromise is one of the finest lead-guitarists I've ever known. Keith Holter of Longview, WA., acquired an early Bigsby and played a fabulous style that was somewhat similar to GRADY MARTIN. For quite some time, we were the only BIGSBY Duo in the region.
Keith always knew WHEN to play and when to stay out of the way. He had a natural feel for coming in with the 3rd part HARMONY on various songs/instrumentals. Seldom did he miss a note and
most of our greatest duets were unrehearsed except for right there on the stage......LIVE! Great fun!
Keith is still playing throughout the Northwest and is a joy to listen to. If he's ever in your area, give yourself a treat and go give a listen. |
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Cal Sharp
From:
the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 11 Nov 2009 12:10 pm Good topic!
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THANKS Cal!
Okay HERB........... Tell us about that g'tar, okay?
There weren't that many, were there? |
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Dave Biller
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 11 Nov 2009 12:49 pm
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| Ray, I don't believe Pete's guitar is an original Bigsby, but rather a reissue made by the Gretsch company. They are a limited edition for sure. I've only seen a few of them and they sure sound terrific, especially in the hands of someone like Pete Mitchell! |
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Billy Tonnesen
From:
R.I.P., Buena Park, California
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Posted 11 Nov 2009 1:20 pm
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Some remeberances of Guys I played with on the West Coast from an Oldtimer:
Larry Black (Bobby's brother)
Tommy Alsup
Bill Carson
Dale Norris
Harvey Walker (Knotts Berry Farm)
Earl Finley
Carl Walden
Teddy Wilds
Hank Mancel
Lou Martin
These are ones I played with for extended periods of time. We also played a lot of "Twin Parts" together.
There were many other greats I got to play with on occasion.
Last edited by Billy Tonnesen on 11 Nov 2009 1:23 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
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Posted 11 Nov 2009 1:21 pm
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Brother Biller speaks with straight tongue. Pete's guitar is a reissue, and the pickguard was made by a excellent local luthier in Buda, Texas that Pete and I have both used to repair/restore/modify various instruments of ours.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 11 Nov 2009 1:25 pm
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I'm a lead guitarist who can sympathize with a steel guitarist. Unfortunately, the only steel guitarist I ever play with is me, on tape.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Stephen Silver
From:
Asheville, NC
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Posted 11 Nov 2009 1:38 pm
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I 'll chime in with two guitarists i have had the pleasure of working with who 'know' how to play with a steel guitarist.
Al Bruno....what a guy, what a character, what a guitarist. I only had a few opps to play with him, but sweet almighty, they were some of the best playing experiences I had.
The other is our own Jerry Hayes. I was a pup playing with Jerry for a year at the Swizzle Stik in Orange County oh about #$^$@ years ago. He was like a big brother to me then (hey Jerry, you have more hair than me, but you'll always be older!!) He knew his stuff, always stayed out of the steel parts (hey, he IS a steel player too) and played wonderfully.
I'd also place a nod to a fantastic tele player out here in California, Jesse Jay Harris of Rancho Deluxe. Not only one of the best tele players I have ever worked with, but he loves steel guitar and always clears a path for the steel. Dave Zirbel, would you agree?
SS
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Life is mostly Attitude and Timing |
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Dave Zirbel
From:
Sebastopol, CA USA
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Posted 11 Nov 2009 1:48 pm
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Abso-friggin-lutely. Jesse also plays some steel too. He cut a few records with steel, the "Pickin' On" series. One was "Pickin' on ZZ Top" . I think he played a Fender 1000. He sold his Carter a few years ago. Also he grew up watching his Dad play with Sneaky Pete. Jesse understands about steel, (except when he counts off a fast tune way faster that it's supposed to go)
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Dave Zirbel-
Sierra S-10 (Built by Ross Shafer),ZB, Fender 400 guitars, various tube and SS amps |
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Roual Ranes
From:
Atlanta, Texas, USA
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Posted 13 Nov 2009 6:51 am
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| I had another steel player ask me to play guitar for him one night and I got what I consider to be the greatest cmpliment I ever received. He said "You sure know when to shut up"!!!!!!!! I treasure that. |
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Clyde Mattocks
From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 13 Nov 2009 8:37 am
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Jimmy Capps on the Opry reads a steel player the best I've heard, just when to walk in and out of a chord, when to undergird a line with a bass phrase,
a harmony line in just the right place, and never walking on his fellow players.
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LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Fender Twin Tone Master, Session 400, Harlow Dobro, R.Q.Jones Dobro |
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Leon Roberts
From:
Tallahassee,FL USA
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Posted 13 Nov 2009 6:52 pm
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| I always thought that Leon Roades worked pretty well with steel players. I'm surprised that he hasn't been mentioned. |
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Ernest Cawby
From:
Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 13 Nov 2009 7:01 pm the best
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When talking about backup artist, you must include LONNIE PORTWOOD, on of the best. And 2 of my favourites are Woody and Johnny,
ernie |
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Rick Campbell
From:
Sneedville, TN, USA
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Posted 13 Nov 2009 7:20 pm
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Some people learn everything about how to play and never learn when to play, when to play something complementary to the lead player/singer and when to be quite...... and that total sound of the band is what's important, not just one player's hot licks. This would apply to guitar players, steel players, fiddle players, and even banjo players. I've known some super pickers that I wouldn't let within a mile of the stage to play with a singing band.  |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 14 Nov 2009 2:28 am
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| Leon Roberts wrote: |
| I always thought that Leon Roades worked pretty well with steel players. I'm surprised that he hasn't been mentioned. |
Great call Leon. Roy Nichols and Don Rich also spring to mind.
_________________
Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E, |
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Andy Hinton
From:
Louisiana, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 14 Nov 2009 6:15 am lead guitarist w/steel
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| Just got to jump here & mention Buck Grantham. Especially here in the south, Buck plays Lead on most of our local Jams & does a great job. At Ronnies last show he played every set but 2, one of which he put down the tele. Sat down to his Mullen & showed us how to play Steel. Great friend to. Andy H. |
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