Robert Randolph

Bill Brummett · From: Greensburg, Pennsylvania, USA

An earlier post in this thread stated that that he probably wouldn't have much of an effect and made a comparison to big hits by Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, etc.

The reason RR IS ALREADY having an effect is because he is the featured performer, not just a member of the band. And by being out front and in the spotlight this automatically showcases the instrument!!!

How long has it been since a steel player had an album out that clearly was on the mainstream charts and widely recognized by people outside country and Hawaiian music??

The last (and only) one I can remember is the album with Sleepwalk by Santo and Johnny.

Dan Tyack · From: Olympia, WA USA

I doubt very much whether Robert cares very much what steel players on the forum say about him. Just knowing that he has the vocal support of some of the greatest living steel players (Lloyd Green and Buddy Emmons, for starters), he doesn't need much more than that from the 'country' steel community.

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www.tyack.com

Joe Miraglia · From: Jamestown N.Y.

It is all exposure. The march I like the best since I was a kid is "Thunder and Blazes". My favorite classical piece is part of the William Tell Overture. I heard both of these pieces as a youngster. Why do I say this? Till the next time--HI OH SILVER and SEE YOU AT THE BIG TOP! Joe. I must add,Can any of you play Thunder and Blazes on the steel.I'd love to hear it? I could never come close.

[This message was edited by Joe Miraglia on 17 July 2004 at 01:48 PM.]

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Recto, the house band at Scotty's is very, very good, but might be a bit hard pressed to play RR's band's style.
I know the bass lines alone are killer.
Apples and oranges.

John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

I feel it's an amazing and wonderful thing for a pedal steel player to be a FRONT MAN, with all attention on him and the awesome things he can do with it. His music is about feeling and emotion, not copping Day/Emmons/Franklin licks. That will increase the psg's visibility, get younger people playing, and that will help all us pickers in the end, I firmly believe. I'd love to learn some of his flashier licks, frankly!

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

I did comment above with a reference to current CHART artists, such as Brad P, AJ, Tim, Kenney , Toby, Shania etc.. all of them are frequent members of the Billboard charts, not just the Country Charts, the complete Billboard top 100..all genres. like them or not, they are on the charts selling records and for the most part all have some or significant Steel Guitar.

Robert unfortunatley is not on any of the Billboard charts, not even the R+B charts so for some label executive to state that he is one of the hottest artists out there is a stretch. Artists live and die by the sales, not the concerts. This was and is the only point to my reference.

I am certain RR is having some sort of impact and I think that if he did do Scotty's or a guest appearance on someones CD that would be very cool.

I hope RR does find a tune that gains national airplay and attention because without that song presence and Label attention I 'm afraid he may just get sucked into the I'm opening for XXX catgory.

My Sister in Law loves him , alwasy tells me that I need to play like him, I alwasy ask
which tune..she always says I don't know the names of the songs..

t

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 18 July 2004 at 05:00 AM.]

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 18 July 2004 at 05:01 AM.]

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 18 July 2004 at 05:02 AM.]

Steven Black · From: Gahanna, Ohio, USA

I didn't say that any steel player is better than the next, it is Robert Randolph's style of music I appreciate, even though I enjoy triditional steel music, I also enjoy what others are doing with the steel and where they are taking it, Robert Randolph is an inspiration to me with his music and getting it out there. steveb.

Steve Hinson · From: Hendersonville Tn USA

...you know,I never see the big guns on here weighing in on RR...????

Russ Young · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

Sorry, Steve, but I've been pretty busy with my job and working on my house ...

I don't know what qualifies someone as a "big gun," but you might want to search for "Randolph" posts by some well-known user names. I got some hits for several people who impress the heck out of me -- but I also would remind you that their opinions are no more valid than yours or mine.

Then again, maybe we could get to "big gun" status by not letting ourselves get involved in yet another Robert Randolph thread!

[This message was edited by Russ Young on 18 July 2004 at 09:09 AM.]

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

I hope RR does find a tune that gains national airplay and attention because without that song presence and Label attention I 'm afraid he may just get sucked
into the I'm opening for XXX catgory.
---------------------------------------------
Robert Randolph is with Warnner Brothers and they are one of the biggest labels out there and they are so excited about RR and from what I hear he is real succesful now.. He does a great amount of Shows as the main act...He is Playing with Eric Clapton because Eric along with a bunch of other main line acts are supporting RR because he has great talent along with his great sound..he has been on numerous TV shows and will continue..I am just passing on what WB Executives are telling me...Keep it up RR it is so great to see a steel up front...
Jim

[This message was edited by Jim Marconi on 18 July 2004 at 11:40 AM.]

Joe Alterio · From: Irvington, Indiana

RR just played here in Indy....I did not go, but a lot of other musicians in town did, and he is ALL they talked about. I didn't hear much mention of Clapton after the show. Wish I could have gone....why must tickets cost so much? :-(

Funny tidbit....one guy was telling me about RR's showmanship:

"Yeah, in this one song he clear kicked away his seat while he was playing. And on another, he tipped the steel over and just before it landed on the floor, hegot his foot underneath the front of it and kicked it back upright and continued to play it without missing a beat." I said something or other about Rusty Young (as he has similar tricks he does on stage)....his response: "WHO"?

I think RR can now be viewed as a "Big Gun" in his own right.

I'm still shaking my head over someone saying "WHO?!?" about Rusty.

Joe

seldomfed · From: Colorado

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

A flash in the pan, just a flash in the pan!

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

I don't think that Randolph is in Joe Wright's class as a pedal steel player. I think Mr. Wright could do everything that Randolph does, but I doubt the reverse.

[This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 19 July 2004 at 02:25 PM.]

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Of course I love Joe's playing,

But I never saw it writen that RR should play like Joe.
Just like we don't expect Joe to start trying to be Big E.
He's Joe, not Buddy.. and visa versa.

Erv, it is a bigger pan than we have ever seen....

His grass roots touring success is the basis of a long term career. Even if eventualy sales come down to a normal level,
not the over night wonder thing he is plumbing right now.

Gino Iorfida · From: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Food for thought...

Let me take you back about 20 years ago... I was 11 years old. I was growing up in a house with a father who played guitar, listened to country, mainly, and some classic rock... I had learned how to play guitar a good 5 or so years before that, but never took any interest in it, played around a little here and there, even dabbled with a drum kit.. but again, never took it very seriously... well when I was 11, I got my first taste of the power rock and roll of the time (a year or 2 before the 'hairspray heavy metal' was really big... and something happened, the power rock guitar stylings gave me focus, and a desire to really dig into the guitar... and I immersed myself in the guitar. IT was my life... instead of partying, and being into sports or whatnot, I played guitar eveyr second of the day that I was not at school or sleeping.... Even though the music I was playing was scoffed at, because it was not 'traditional' rock, or country etc, I still was falling in love with playing an instrument. As I got older, I started branching out, listening to more 'classic' rock and roll, and the new country at the time (Alabama was THE band in country music back then)... more and more I kept going back, until Im wrehe i'm at now.. 95% of what I listen to and play is music over 20 years old! A few years ago, I finally started learning the pedal steel (can you ever really 'have 'learned' the steel.. since there is just so much going on... by that matter, you should be 'still learning' ANY isntrument you play, no matter how long you've been playing.). So here I am now, early 30's, and have an appreciation, and an equal respect for the guitar playing of someone like an Eddie Van Halen, a Les Paul, A Joe Pass, a Brent Mason, a Chet Atkins and so on. I've learned to appreciate every styling and genre as what it is, the expression of the individual artist, and what they have in their heart -- just as I can appreciate a good comedy or a good drama 00 yes they are different, but both good.

My point in all this is, yea, some on here may not like what Robert Randolph is doing, but if his music gives someone the inspiration to take up the steel guitar, there is no limit to what the person can do, or become. How many top notch guitar players can cite that they knew they had to play guitar when they heard the first beatles song? It's like anything, it's the spark that starts the inferno.

Secondly, I"m appalled, in the fact that there is so much opposition from the same people who complain that the steel guitar is being pushed out of the mainstream radio country music. Here is a chance for the steel go get recognition, and maybe a bit more respect, and you all want to crucify the man.....

Finally, remember, the pedal steel is a VERY young instrument in it's adolescent years, by all means, lets show the world that it fits in music other than country! WE should have the same feelings about the instrument breaking ground in blues/rock as we did about it breaking ground in jazz etc.

FInally, (ok this is the second and last finally, I promise!!) Maybe those who oppose RR's music should actually take some time and listen to it, and appreciate his phrasing, blocking and execution... and if still you don't like it, instead of coming on here and complaining about him/his music, and being all negative... do something positive-- play your steel some more, spend some time with your family, do something nice for a neighbor os someone less fortunate... I'm sure ya'll fell better after doing that than ranting about someone who is being a positive role model for our instrument (hey, we may not all agree about his music, but at least we all can agree his music and lifestyle are better than a lot of rockers)...

I know a lot of you on here are devout Christians, so remember, first and foremost, he is a CHRISTIAN artist, with a CHRISTIAN message (not the sex, drugs and rock and roll thing!)!

[This message was edited by Gino Iorfida on 19 July 2004 at 08:11 PM.]

Bill Brummett · From: Greensburg, Pennsylvania, USA

Excellent post, Gino.

I think you really stated it very well. My first listen to a RR cut left me in my usual denial state. I prefer old time real country and Western Swing ala Herb Remington and Buddy Emmons -- But I do like a lot of other stuff as well. Listening to some incredible stuff by Joe Goldmark and later by Joe Wright showed me that the steel guitar can be an incredible rock instrument. I think it has far more potential than any traditional axe. Then listening to RR sort of completed the realization that this incredible instrument is just beginning to show its' true potential.

And the success that RR is having ( negative comments from other posts notwithstanding ) is doing more to introduce this instrument to a wider audience than anything else in its' history.

Folks can talk all they want about how Tim McGraw and Alan Jackson are TRUE Billboard artists and they have steel guitars in their bands!!! But the point is -- Tim and Alan DON'T PLAY STEEL GUITARS. Yeah, they have some of the best who have ever touched the instrument backing them up -- but at the end of the day not 20% of the people who listen know there's even a steel in the band or even what a steel is, and even those who might know don't know who the steel player is.

With a guy like RR -- like his music or not -- he's being recognized and the instrument is being recognized by a far broader audience than we hve ever reached.

BTW, I had first purchased his "Unclassified" album and really liked what I heard. Just yesterday I in went in to Best Buy and noticed that there was another one on the shelves called "Live at the Wetlands" and purchased it. It is the last performance recorded live at this famous New York club before it was torn down for whatever.

RR really does some great rock stuff on here and in one of the rather extended pieces he detours a bit and puts in some good old "country pedal twang" just to sice things up a little.

This guy is for real and he is very good. I think we steelers should be very glad that RR is helping to put our beloved instrument on the map!!

Bart Maloney · From: Houston, Texas

I think "Live at the Wetlands" is awesome. "March" will really get you going. "Pressing My Way" is another super track. If you are a Robert Randolph fan you should try and find a song called "The Prayer." It is just him and that Pedal Steel of his, and he even has a few country licks in that song to. I saw him Two years back at Stubbs Bar-b-Q in Austin, standing outside in 32 degree bitter coldness and I just stood there in awe. Of course with a pretty little lady keepin me warm. RR might not be country, but he sure can play.

Jeff Lampert · From: queens, new york city

I'm SOOOO FAR past the RR debate. I want to see some more steel guitarists fronting bands. I don't care what kind of music they play; it can be rap for all it matters. I don't care whether it's played through a clean Fender amp or overdriven through 2000 watts of Marshall stacks or, whether the player knows 10 overused licks, or 10,000 brilliant creative runs, whether they play it sitting down, standing up, or they jump up and down and play it behind their backs. I DONT CARE! Just as long as it's popular and teenagers and college-age kids flock to it. As long as it shows up on Billboards Hot 50, the Grammys, Letterman and Leno. I want to see it seriously build up into a groundswell of unprecedented interest. I'm concerned that RR will be just a passing moment in the music scene, and then it will be back to PSG as usual, i.e. a bunch of 50+ year-olds talking about tuning and tone, and longing for country music from the 50's and 60's. Nothing wrong with that, but there's gotta be balance. It's a big world out there and the PSG has to conquer it, and putting the instrument in the hands of a bunch of hot shot kids fronting kick-ass bands is the the way to go for now.

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[url=http://www.mightyfinemusic.com/jeff's_jazz.htm]Jeff's Jazz[/url]

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Let me clarify my position here as a few of my Forum pals feel I am anti RR. Thats not accurate or true and I have never stated that . I am, I enjoy RR and think what he is doing is awesome.

What I am not is someone who feels I should play Rock/Blues on the Steel because RR does. We should be adding or playing this style to our "Expression" vocabulary because it is a genre of music thats been around for multiple decades. This is not new music.

Robert fronts his band and plays a slide style on the Pedal Steel and that is different from what the normal school of thought has been, and he is to be commended for that.

But I would take issue with anyone who attempts to state that this style is going to cause a huge hoopla' across the minions 'cause it's not.

Eric Clapton was alwasy regarded as a premier axe slinger, but he didn't become the multi stage global star until someone found him a SONG to sing..EC survived the decades by the songs and his great singing, not by his great guitar playing. In this business, for life to continue past the hype, it always comes back to the songs.

Give a great performer a bad song,we know waht happens, Give a moderate performer a great song.. we know what happens.

IF RR's label and producers want this rocket to reach new levels they better come up with some songs before the stage hype wears thin.

I surely hope RR's presence does not wear thin and that in fact I hope they find him his "NITCH" which will bring him front a center with the songs first which will give him personal identity before the Stage Show.

Play the Rock/Blues because it is a great genre of music, not becasue someone tells you that you need to play it because someone else is.

If you want to play exactly like RR, retune your rig and go for it, but when you want to play like Paul or Buddy, or Loyd or Doug etc..you'll need your tuner again...

Start your own band, front it on Steel. Sing a few tunes , play a few licks and have fun.

For about 6 years in the 80's my wife and I co-fronted our own band, I played both Tele' and Steel..I sang with the Tele' or with the Steel..we didn't think of it as different , we just did it. We just played music, or at least I hope we did !

t

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 20 July 2004 at 02:55 AM.]

Steve Hinson · From: Hendersonville Tn USA

Russ-to me,a"big gun"is someone who has attained"Mount Rushmore"status...and there are several of those who post on this Forum from time to time...I maintain that none of them have posted anything about Robert Randolph...positive or negative...

[This message was edited by Steve Hinson on 20 July 2004 at 09:22 AM.]

Dustin Rigsby · From: Parts Unknown, Ohio

"Rock-n-Roll will only last six months,it's just a fad". Remember those famous last words? Not every kid in the universe is going to be able to drop a grand or more just to get started on pedal steel. And so what if they do start using it as a lead instrument in rock-n-roll bands. I like Chet and Merle,as well as Beck and Clapton.Same instrument,different musical styles. Nobody is going to take the PSG away from you folks...just doing something different with it. Can't we all just get along

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D.S. Rigsby
Carter Starter and various six string toys

Dan Tyack · From: Olympia, WA USA

Steve Hinson · From: Hendersonville Tn USA

...you know,I never see the"big guns"on here weighing in on RR...

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

Tony, I have to disagree with you a bit about Clapton- his stardom really began with his appearance with John Mayall's band live and on record around 1966, with people painting "Clapton is God" all over London, and just about every guitarist everywhere taking notice of his "new" style, which was basically American blues played more aggressively with sustain and beefier tone, and a lot of attitude. Even when he continued on with Cream, I would suggest that it wasn't so much the songs or lyrics, but the guitar driven riffs of songs like "Sunshine of Your Love" that captured the attention of hundreds of thousands of young players who went on to learn about other forms of music, start their own bands, and contribute valid music of their own. Eventually Clapton reached even more masses of listeners with songs and lyrics, but I honestly think it was his instrumental style that won so many converts and started so many careers. The same could be said for Jimmy Page, Kiss, Jeff Beck, and many others, and I think RR may have the same effect on kids today. If you think about it, a lot of the folks who were enamored of Lloyd Green's magnificence weren't that interested in the particular song or even artist, but mesmerized by the sound of his steel guitar. I know I listened past a lot of songs that weren't my cup of tea to hear Lloyd in the mix! I would suggest to those who are upset by hearing a youngster mention RR as the "greatest steel player"... take just a moment to chat, educate, and suggest some of your favorites. Perhaps you'll make a friend and help somebody discover the wonderful depth and breadth there is to our instrument. The more the merrier!

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Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com

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