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Topic: Non-Pedal in modern music? |
Tony Harris
From:
England
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Posted 19 Aug 2002 1:35 am |
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| Okay - I guess I'm just after some encouragement. Lap steel usually means Hawaiian, Western Swing, or 'old' country. Is there anyone out there using non-pedal for 'modern' country - I reckon it could fit in well with the stars of the last ten years or so but doesn't seem to be featured...? |
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David Biagini
From:
San Jose, CA, USA
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Posted 19 Aug 2002 6:17 am
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There are quite a few contemporary singers using non-pedal steels in their bands but their music tends to be heavily influenced by traditional country music. Some examples:
Wayne "The Train" Hancock
Hank III
Ray Condo
BR549
Big Sandy and His Fly Rite Boys
Junior Brown
I don't know of anyone playing "modern" or "new" country using a non-pedal steel exclusively. I suspect it may be used occassionally as a slide guitar for a more rock or blues sound. |
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Marc Weller
From:
Upland, Ca. 91784
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Posted 19 Aug 2002 7:14 am
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| Check out the Blue Hawaiians. There stuff is a mix of old and new styles (surf,swing,spy,lounge)and there's a Stringmaster on just about every track. |
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Marc Weller
From:
Upland, Ca. 91784
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Posted 19 Aug 2002 7:15 am
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Whoops. You said modern COUNTRY. I just saw the "modern" part. I better get some more coffie.
MW |
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Tony Harris
From:
England
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Posted 19 Aug 2002 7:21 am
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| No problem! I'm just curious 'cause I've been playing along with George Strait, Brad Paisley and Alan Jackson (on the stereo I mean) and it fits in nicely! |
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David Biagini
From:
San Jose, CA, USA
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Posted 19 Aug 2002 8:00 am
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| George Strait, Brad Paisley and Alan Jackson have all stayed close to their country roots so I can see where a non-pedal steel guitar would fit in nicely. BTW, Ricky Davis played some non-pedal steel with Dale Watson. |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 19 Aug 2002 10:43 am
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Jouquin Murphy used pedals but few could tell it.......as did many of the early day steel artists. Buddy Emmons in his Steel Guitar Jazz album....obviously uses pedals at various points but you don't get that overwhelming, frantic pickin' "Nashville E9th" twang that a lot of people simply DO NOT LIKE or TOLERATE!
The Nashville Sound E9th pedal signature licks are neat to play for those of us who try and they DO sound great in all kinds of western tunes!
HOWEVER, as much as I hate to be controversial.....any steel player worth his salt that tries to be a big time western swing, Hawaiian, pop, or symphony steel guitarist and then plays Nashville Sound E9th licks all night is defeating his/her own ambitions.
Steel players just have to discover that they're playing for people's EARS......and if what they're playing "doesn't fit the mold".....then they likely will not be accepted by the masses. Early on it was explained to me that the world had a lot of great tho' STARVING MUSICIANS...that played what THEY wanted to hear for their own amusement or amazement, being a legend in their own mind and all. But the truly busy, financially successful artists play what the public chooses to hear.
The public IS NOT A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE. It is fickle! They want to hear this sound; tomorrow another different kind of sound.
I do believe a lot of steel players of today while striving to achieve both status and playing success.......have missed the boat by a country mile. Many posts on this Forum strongly suggest that is the case.
This is not criticism on my part but merely observations of what is going on around me in the steel guitar arena. |
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