Robert Randolph

Greg Simmons · From: where the buffalo (used to) roam AND the Mojave

The latest issue of Pure Music Magazine, a very well done online music publication, features an interview with Robert Randolph that is well worth checking out.

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Greg Simmons
Custodian of the Official Sho~Bud Pedal Steel Guitar Website

[This message was edited by Greg Simmons on 12 September 2003 at 02:20 PM.]

Jim West · Posted 12 Sep 2003 8:30 am

As a worship instrument that could swell organ-like and beyond under the lifted voices, and cry and wail, soar and sting, the steel was a mighty testifier that caught on in a number of other chapters of the House of God.

Amen Brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This amazing cat might make the pedal steel guitar the next big thing, which would be fine with me. Robert Randolph is making waves, let's see how high they get.

Allright Mr. Randolph!!!!!!!!!!!

[This message was edited by Jim West on 12 September 2003 at 09:32 AM.]

Guest · Posted 12 Sep 2003 9:01 am

"He began to venture into the secular world of clubs with his funky soulful music, a black man seated at an instrument associated almost exclusively with Country and Western music."

I think those who read my post on the jazz thread might appreciate this quote. Steel is a typecast instrument if there ever was one.

[This message was edited by Stephen O'Brien on 12 September 2003 at 10:03 AM.]

Guest · Posted 12 Sep 2003 9:04 am

I'll also add that if Robert is the guy who breaks that typecasting, we will all owe him a debt of gratitude.

Ron Page · From: Penn Yan, NY USA

quote:
PM: I just realized I've got to call my friend Bobby Lee in California. He's a great pedal steel player, and he runs this thing on the Internet called Steel Guitar Forum.
[steelguitarforum.com]

RR: Yeah.

PM: And I don't know if he knows about--he better know about Robert Randolph, but if he doesn't, he's sure going to know in about an hour.

RR: Yeah, a lot of those people don't--they don't care about me, because I don't play traditional country pedal steel.

PM: But this guy's a real artist, so he'll like it.

RR: Yeah. Because I've read up on there sometimes, some people, they get at me.

PM: Oh, really?

RR: Oh, yeah. Because I know some of the country players, and they'll call me and tell me sometimes.

I'm a country player--well sort of a player--and I definitely care about him. I have to get familiar with his music. Frankly, it doesn't interest me much when prominent country players want to "expand the horizons of steel". I guess I like their country playing too much to appreciate a major departure.

RR, on the other hand intrigues me --and I've yet to hear him play a note. He's unique in several ways:

1. A black man playing a stereotypically country--which is stereotypically white—instrument.
2. His steel background apparently has no country roots; he started at a “new horizon” for steel.
3. He’s one of the few rockers since Ted Nugent with an unconcealed God fearing spirit.

The 3rd point is admittedly hyperbole, but it’s great to see the instrument having a public coming-out from the sacred steel direction.

Let's see if RR will come to St. Louis.

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HagFan

[This message was edited by Ron Page on 12 September 2003 at 10:16 AM.]

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

My sister-in law asked me if the band I am part of has started playing any Robert Randolf songs yet..she told me I really need to 'cause he is hip and his tunes are good..way better than Country.

I think this probably won't happen..

Are any of you playing Robert Randolf songs on your country gigs.?

I'm not sure the places I play are ready for RR music..they are hardly ready for what we normally do !

Don't get me wrong, RR is bringing notice to this Instrument, he is talented and gets it done..but with his bringing it forward does that imply that all of us are now to go in that musical direction for Instrument recognition?

I do what I do..I'm glad he does what he does..but it's not what I do..

Andres Segovia was one of the greatest guitar players to have ever graced this planet..and recognized for the same...but I play Blues, R+R and Twangy Country..that is not going to change..I play Country on the Steel 'cause it's what I love to play and hear..

So I suppose and agree that the influence of RR is very good for the Instrument..but his style may not apply to the minions and in some cases may even have a reverse effect if someone all of a sudden asks for a RR song and you don't play it..and worse..have no plans of playing it.

All in all I'm happy for his success..

tp

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 12 September 2003 at 11:14 AM.]

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

Pure Music is run by Frank Goodman, an old friend of mine. Frank is apparently unaware that I carry Robert Randolph CDs in the Forum catalog, but I do appreciate the plug.

Now, if I could only get Pure Music to cover Open Hearts.

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Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax

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

Funny that A. Segovia was mentioned. I saw and heard him here in '70 when he played a concert at the Paramount Theater, and got to meet him. Wish I could find that autographed program. He had hands as big as dinner plates.

In My mind he is the epitome of "Master Status". Ravi Shankar as well. more than a hundred plus years of playing between two of them. Tied to a tree for a year or so by his teacher in Ravi's case, as the legend goes..

This as opposed to a guy that takes a couple years of lessons from a "top name guy" and plays clubs for 20 or so years.. I often refer to someone like that as a "hack".. ( I'm talking about myself here..)

Funny because Segovia was viewed as a "fluff" (kind word) player by the "old school". Played "improper voicings, interval stackings, inconsistent translations of arrangements, etc." I suppose Fernando Sor and Tarrega were viewed the same way.. Probably "too wild".

Also noted, was in the interview where he mentions "some of the guys 'get at him' on the SGF.".

I think some of the "country guys" here get "got at" a lot worse.

Huh b0b?

I'd like to see him join, and share what he's finding. I missed his show at the Crystal Ballroom when I was playing a gig at Jubitz. Hope he comes by again.

I think we could be careful about "getting at him", if he's worried...

He made it sound like somebody's been "ratting us out"....

Who could it be?.... (tap.. tap.. tap..)

I'll be checking him out.

Always looking for something New..

Most of us seem to be.

EJL

[This message was edited by Eric West on 13 September 2003 at 12:11 AM.]

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

I took my pedal steel to a practice last night at Lennon Studios in San Francisco. I had three separate people stop me and ask if I knew anything about this "black guy who plays one of those things".
He's definitely increasing the awareness of the steel guitar among the general public.

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

Same here. All the young rock guys are asking me about Robert Randolph. Its funny because I ask them if they ever heard of a guy name Joe Wright.

Eddie Malray · From: South Fulton, Tennessee, USA

I saw RR on an Austin City Limits rerun last night. I only heard one song with consisted of screaming to the top of his voice (not a word-just a scream) and sliding the bar from on end of the neck to the other as fast as he could. It was the last number on the show so I could'nt really say what the guy can do. One thing I do know or feel within myself is this. If this is what it is going to take to keep the Steel Guitar alive, Let it die with dignity. Eddie Malray

Jeff Lampert · From: queens, new york city

Jonathan Gregg · From: New York City

I have no beef with RR and I think it's great that he is taking the steel to other places and to a whole new audience. He's young and talented and more power to him.

I guess my problem, if you can call it that, it that he is basically playing a lot of guitar licks that many of us learned 25 years ago. He sure can play them, but it's sort of what I was looking to get away from when I started the steel.

Stevie Ray (one of RR's faves, along with the Allman bros.) never did all that much for me -- I mean, Hendrix did it all much better first -- and the appeal of hearing SRV's version of Voodoo Chile on steel is not that great for me. I guess I wish RR stole from more interesting sources. He certainly has chops to deploy.

I would like to hear him explore the chordal possibilities more, but a lot of fast single-note blues runs can only seem fresh to someone under 25, which I ain't.

Bobbe Seymour · From: Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.

I have "jamed" with Lloyd Green and Robert Randolph, both at the same time, sort of culture shock, three totally different styles at one time. This was at my store five years ago. It should have been recorded. Robert was extreamly attentive and appreciative of Lloyd and myself. As we were to his style. Should have seen his eyes when he saw Jernigan play for the first time! Robert is very attentive, intelligent and learns quickly. His knowledge of chords is very limited,so far, but his soul makes up for it in a big way.
About all I can say is, Thank God for Robert, we could use a dozen more like him. But I can't see many of us trying to copy his style to play all night. Even Joe Wright plays several styles.

Now for some more news, I know several more black steel players that play very much like Robert, some about as well, but we may never hear them. All, so far have chosen to stay in the church, "The House of God".
Bless them all, isn't steel a wonderful instrument?

bobbeseymour

Bowie Martin · From: Wilson, NC USA 27896

Well, I'm 66 (almost 67) and I love country steel guitar as much as anyone on the world. Got great compliments tonight (they are good any night) on playing Farewell Party, etc. at a convention center, and still will do "Steel Guitar Rag" when someone ask, and "Sleep Walk." Got my first RR CD and put it on in the car while traveling; hard to do just 60-65 miles per hour when listening to RR...five songs take 1 hour, but he, the band, are cooking; and 99% is instrumental. I like it, but it will not replace Lloyd, and John Hughey, and Jeff Newman, and Paul and all the other greats. But he is cooking, and getting popular and I love it. I will not be playing it - I love the traditional stuff, but I can sure appreciate it...and I am a white, mature (sounds better than old) fan, and wish him every success...Hope even to see him in person sometime...Maybe that will even help the Sarah Jory and Joe Wright playing to get into the spotlight. If we have about 10-20 RR, Sarah Jory, and Joe Wrights in the limelight, we all would enjoy great recognition...More power to all of them..now, back to working on my "Hank Williams medley" for this coming weekend at the Kannapolis, NC jam....

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

I don't believe I have read any negative comments concerning Robert..I have read where folks have commented on his fine ability and talent..but may not care to approach music in the same manner or have the desire to play in the same style. I'm one of them..

I would go see his band play if they were local as I would any top band with quality musicians..I would even buy him dinner if he would let me..even sit down and ask him questions about his playing style..if he would let me...

tp

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 21 September 2003 at 06:10 PM.]

Jim Marconi · From: Richmond IL. / Summerland Key Fl. USA

Well I want to give you my comments.Several months ago I was down in Nashville with our Girls who are Recording with Word Records and we were invited to Rymann Theater for Word Records/Warner Bros Records devue of new featured artist and Robert was one of them and let me tell you this guy ran away with the show. He has so much energy that I seen 80 year old people jumping up and down like they were teenagers and when he seen the the people jumping he kicked out his seat and started to jump with then and still playing all his licks on the steel..Word Records just sent me his new DVD and this guy is going to help our steel world..Word Records is wild about him and have great expectations in his success..So many times we see our great players hardly ever getting camera time and when they do it is just a flash..well let me tell you Robert is going to get all of it. He is talented I know he is not country but I hear a lot of say new country is not country either..one thing I am sure of if he gets to the top we will have a lot of new players..trading in there 6 string for a steel...We have friends come over to see his DVD and now they look at my steel and ask me how can they learn how to play one.. O well I just wanted to share that with you...
Jim

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