| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Psychedelic Guitar Circus
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Psychedelic Guitar Circus
Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 5 Jul 2012 6:19 pm    
Reply with quote

Psychedelic Guitar Circus was an early 90s San Francisco band with a unique line up of Henry Kaiser, Steve Kimock, and Harvey Mandel on guitars and Freddie Roulette on lap style. Roulette's sound and style is absolutely unique. He's the anti-Dick McIntire.

Here's their version of "On Broadway"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7KQos31LqI

and Freddie's solo version of "Norwegian Wood"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBtLTrqYTP4&feature=relmfu
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Ron Whitfield

 

From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 5 Jul 2012 7:03 pm    
Reply with quote

Just think where we'd be if the experimentally extrordinaire Fred Frith had focused on steel!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Peter Jacobs


From:
Northern Virginia
Post  Posted 6 Jul 2012 4:46 am    
Reply with quote

I've said it before: Freddie is not of this planet! Unbelievable -- thanks for posting, Andy!
_________________
Peter
---------
www.splinterville.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@splinterville6278/videos
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 6 Jul 2012 6:10 am    
Reply with quote

Yeah, Freddie's so far out on his own limb that while people appreciate his genius I don't think I've heard of anyone trying to emulate his playing.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Mike Neer


From:
NJ
Post  Posted 6 Jul 2012 6:36 am    
Reply with quote

That's actually a pretty cool combination of guitar personalities. I've got to ask Kimock about that.

I have to be honest (I know sacrilege), I can only take Freddie in small doses. There are aspects of it I dig, and others that I don't. But what I really dig his sound and, especially, how he always seems to land on his feet. I dig his soft touch with his fingers, which at times sounds reminds me of a kalimba (thumb piano). His bar work is kind of disorienting at times, which adds to the psychedelic effect.

I bought a Charlie Musselwhite CD with Freddie some time back around 1990. Freddie's playing was completely different than I expected.

I don't think he could be imitated. He is a true original, which is the rarest of great qualities.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 6 Jul 2012 7:05 am    
Reply with quote

Totally agree, Mike. He's not usually someone I go out of my way to listen to but there's definitely a WTF!? factor when he plays a solo. some of what he plays in the version of On Broadway above - in the background - oddly reminds me of Steve Cropper's tele licks.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Jon Sawyer

 

From:
Richmond, California
Post  Posted 6 Jul 2012 8:15 am    
Reply with quote

There are some free HQ live recordings of Psychedelic Guitar Circus that can be downloaded (MP3 or lossless FLAC files) or streamed from here:
http://archive.org/search.php?query=%28collection%3APsychedelicGuitarCircus%20OR%20mediatype%3APsychedelicGuitarCircus%29%20AND%20-mediatype%3Acollection&sort=date

Freddie plays at the Saloon in San Francisco occasionally/randomly, but he NEVER promotes the shows before hand; and it's usually an odd set time, such as a Thursday from 4 PM to 8 PM. Luckily for me, a friend of mine is a regular there and he calls me whenever he see's Freddie in the house, so I have been able to witness his magic live and in person a few times.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 6 Jul 2012 8:46 am    
Reply with quote

Thanks for the link, John.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Peter Jacobs


From:
Northern Virginia
Post  Posted 6 Jul 2012 9:14 am    
Reply with quote

Mike and Andy -- I agree. He's not the guy I sit back and listen to all the time, but every once in a while, I need that reminder that I should be able to make any sounds I want on any instrument I choose, if I put the time and effort into it.

Freddie doesn't just come out of left field, he owns left field. It's a nice, if somewhat disturbing, neighborhood.
_________________
Peter
---------
www.splinterville.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@splinterville6278/videos
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Geoff Cline


From:
Southwest France
Post  Posted 7 Jul 2012 1:55 pm    
Reply with quote

I love the PGC...left field must be the place for guitar that makes your mind stretch. Besides, it all about listening and hearing things differently and expressing one's self, right. Those players certainly do!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Ray Montee


From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
Post  Posted 7 Jul 2012 3:52 pm     How 'bout it?
Reply with quote

Hey Andy!

Two attempts to email you this date including a SGF PM, all FAILED.

Might you be kind enough to email me.
My address is at the bottom below my signature.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Helmut Gragger


From:
Austria
Post  Posted 9 Jul 2012 1:05 am    
Reply with quote

If you are into that style you should get a copy of Slide Crazy! Henry Kaiser, Freddie Roulette are also present on this CD together with a few others that are waaay out left field. I love this CD!

-helmut
_________________
feel at home at: http://me.aquataur.guru
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Steve Ahola


From:
Concord, California
Post  Posted 9 Jul 2012 4:05 am    
Reply with quote

Mike Neer wrote:
I have to be honest (I know sacrilege), I can only take Freddie in small doses. There are aspects of it I dig, and others that I don't. But what I really dig his sound and, especially, how he always seems to land on his feet...

I find him to be very enjoyable on stage with his own band or as a sideman. He doesn't do that "crazy sh*t" (as I call it) on all of his songs but that is what everybody seems to go ape sh*t over. Sad

I really enjoyed playing at jams with him a few years ago. He'd walk in rolling his Roland Jazz Chorus 120 amp with his Fender 8 string lap steel on top.

Steve Ahola
_________________
www.blueguitar.org

Recordings on electric guitar:
http://www.box.net/blue-diamonds
http://www.box.net/the-culprits
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Andy Sandoval


From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
Post  Posted 9 Jul 2012 7:15 am    
Reply with quote

Pretty dang trippy, but of course I was a teenager in the 60's so it's right up my alley. Smile
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron