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Topic: Jerry Fessenden on Robert Randolf |
John Macy
From:
Rockport TX/Denver CO
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Posted 31 Oct 2004 5:41 pm |
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Since Jerry is always too busy building killer steel guitars to post very often here, I though I'd share some of his thoughts on Mr. Randolf that he sent to myself and Jim Smith. This might contain some answers about his knowledge of the steel and country music in general. And I quote:
"Hey John & Jim,
I thought I’d try to clear up some of the things about RR that have been discussed on the forum, at least from my point of view. After I built his 1st 13 string steel, he started calling me on a regular basis… he’d play for sometimes 45 min before he’d say anything. (not always). He usually played a blend of rock and blues songs . When I asked him about any country songs, he almost always knew them,,,he ripped off OBS (Orange Blossom Special) as fast as I’ve heard anyone play it, but not as clean at that time… Since he has had both guitars , he played OBS at a breakneck speed using traditional lines as well as things he makes up on the spot. He calls it “Chocolate OBS”. I grew up with jazz artists, so I always wanted to hear how he interpreted them, for example, I say “give me some BB”, he’d play it, I’d ask for Buddy Guy, he played so much like a guitar player that you’d think that was what he played. The most amazing thing I heard Robert play, however was “ Don Rich” licks ,,,just like a Buck Owens warmup… Robert was warming up for his show & had the purple guitar sounding exactly like a Tele,,, lick for lick. He KNOWS country music … His real talent & playing ability is nothing like what his show is all about. He can be so accurate at the fret and plays the pedals so fast, that you don’t think he even presses them. Doesn’t matter which steel he plays to get his “sound”. I noticed that he does a better job on the longer scale length than the shorter scale. He has to look around on his “act”, so the longer scale seems to give him more room… but, as I said, I’ve seen him on several different brands of guitars & he gets the most out of whatever he plays. I’m waiting for the new country video with a popular country group to come out soon…. "
Thanks, Jerry. And you go, Robert. 
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Donna Dodd
From:
Acworth, Georgia, USA
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Posted 31 Oct 2004 6:00 pm
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| Somehow, I'm not a bit surprised!! Sacred Steeler, Dante Harmon has invited Tommy and a few of the Georgia crew to help with his workshop for some of the beginner Sacred Steelers at the House of God church in November. Dante and Robert are good friends - used to spend the summers together when Dante lived in Florida. The guys we met at the church all said they love country music - even listen to the Grand Ole Opry. They are sponges for everything they can learn about the instrument. Great guys!!! |
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Jim Phelps
From:
Mexico City, Mexico
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Posted 31 Oct 2004 6:07 pm
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| . [This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 17 November 2004 at 07:20 PM.] |
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 31 Oct 2004 7:01 pm
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I know that Robert blew me away the first time I heard him. And while that doesn't mean anything to most of the members of the forum, he did the same to Lloyd Green.
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www.tyack.com
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Dan Sawyer
From:
Studio City, California, USA
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Posted 1 Nov 2004 1:10 am
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| Thanks for posting that. It's all very interesting till you get to the part about "jazz artists" BB King and Buddy Guy!? If Mr Fessenden thinks these are jazz musicians, it kinda makes you wonder about his other statements. |
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Bill Miller
From:
Gaspe, Quebec, Canada
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Posted 1 Nov 2004 4:48 am
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| Dan, you don't suppose Mr. Fessenden may have just misspoken do you? My guess is he probably has a pretty good understanding of the various musical genres. It seems like an odd reason to cast doubt on his comments. |
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 1 Nov 2004 6:01 am
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I've jammed with Robert on *very* uptempo country tunes (jams?) and I can tell you the faster the better, for him. While his main influence on this style sounds to me to be Chuck Campbell, the best way I can describe his style for folks on the forum is that he sounded similar in a lot of ways to Wally Murphy in the late 70s. Not in terms of licks, per se, but in the intensity and drive.
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www.tyack.com
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John Macy
From:
Rockport TX/Denver CO
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John Steele
From:
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 1 Nov 2004 9:15 pm
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You have people that are tied to a particular genre, or a particular instrument, or a particular style...
Then you have this whole other league of players which I'd just call "Musicians".
I flatter myself to aspire to the latter category. So far, limited luck, but I'm trying.
-John |
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Bill Ford
From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
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Posted 2 Nov 2004 4:58 am
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("I’m waiting for the new country video with a popular country group to come out soon…")
If its the interview I saw,killer pickin. If memory serves correctly, I think it was Sawer Brown(not real sure tho). Whoever it is does'nt normaly have steel on thier songs.
Bill |
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Wayne Cox
From:
Chatham, Louisiana, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 2 Nov 2004 7:53 pm
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ROBERT RANDOLPH is definitely NOT a Buddy Emmons clone,but so what!? Neither was Curley Chalker, Ralph Mooney, Sneaky Pete, Jerry Byrd, Sol Hoopi...need I continue???
If RR has a marketable style/sound that sells,why not appreciate him for that? If anyone out there thinks it is easy to originate a new style or sound that sells in today's market,try it. It is a good reality check. I love to play a good old country song as much as anyone,but RR is a pioneer;I hope he doesn't have to die in order to be appreciated!
~~W.C.~~ |
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