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Topic: Bobbe Seymour's Rythmatic |
Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 3 Jan 2007 4:33 am |
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No I don't mean Bobbe is rythmatic (although he might be a bit rhumatic), I mean the album that he has recorded of the same name. I have just had a listen to my friend's copy of this album and I think it is a gem. No clichéd old steel tracks here. Just wonderfully composed instrumental pieces played with great dexterity, taste and superb full tone. The backing is excellent too. I think this album must have been a labour of love, as a lot of thought and work has gone into the arrangements.
For those who haven't heard it, Bobbe has put some samples of the album on his web site http://www.steelguitar.net/
Just click on the link halfway down the page. |
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Bobbe Seymour
From:
Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 3 Jan 2007 10:19 am
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Yes Ken, an expensive labour of love. I had to do it. I have great jazz and big band relitives and had to show them that "steel guitar is a uptown instrument".
38 musicians, (and three drummers, Ha). Two and a half years of writing , arranging, and looking for the vast amounts of money to do it. I paid the engineer by giving him my "750 il V-12 BMW". Labour of love? You bet and I'm fifty times more proud of it than anything I have ever done. It has to be by far, the most expensive CD featuring steel guitar instrumentals ever produced, anywhere.
The quality of players on this CD knows no bounds, it's the who's who of great studio players from the the world over.
Thank you for your thoughts Ken, You are a great supporter of steel guitar and what it stands for,
Bobbe Seymour |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 3 Jan 2007 10:42 am
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Hi Bobbe
Well the background that you have given us about this recording does figure. The tracks are pure quality and I hope you don't take this the wrong way but in my opinion your playing on it overshadows anything else that I've heard of yours.
From a commercial viewpoint it will probably not be a viable proposition. However, I can understand any musician wanting to make an album that will be their finest achievement - a musical legacy if you like. The album showcases the versatility of the steel guitar, which does get pigeon-holed or stereotyped at times.
| Quote: |
| I'm fifty times more proud of it than anything I have ever done. |
I would imagine you are Bobbe. Its up there with the best all time steel recordings in my view. A wonderful project. |
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Posted 3 Jan 2007 11:51 am New Direction
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Bobbe-I'll buy that Cd, you know how I like Jazz and Big band. I know it has to be a "Labor of Love", for now. But maybe in a few years, the audience taste will catch up to you and you can collect your residuals in your old age.....al.
_________________
Michigan (MSGC)Christmas Dinner and Jam on my 80th Birthday.
My Email.. almarcus@cmedic.net
My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus |
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Sonny Priddy
From:
Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 3 Jan 2007 12:04 pm
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| Bobbies Price-Less 11 Is Great, Great. Great. SONNY & MELVA |
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Wally Taylor
From:
Hardin, Kentucky, USA
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Posted 3 Jan 2007 3:52 pm
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One of the things I got out of Bobbe's Rythmatic cd, was the fact that I could listen to the music and not even think that I was listening to a steel guitar, just bathe myself in the beautiful sounds! A steel guitar masterpiece for sure. Nice work Bobbe, very nice work!
Wally |
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Doug Seymour
From:
Jamestown NY USA (deceased)
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Posted 3 Jan 2007 4:15 pm
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| I'm proud of Bobbe! and his playing. His Dad challenged Bobbe & I both to follow his lead! in music. Bobbe, your Dad was justifiably proud of you , too, I know for a fact! He told me after coming back from a visit to Bobbe in Nashville..."Gee those guys are musicians, too!" Bobbe had taken them to a studio session! When I was learning guitar, though I wanted to play guitar like the guitarist with Nat King Cole's trio, I could only play 3 chord country and Bob Sr had the mistaken impression that Nashville was 3 chord country, through & through and that steel guitars were not a recognized musical instrument. He was a bit disappointed when Bobbe showed an intrest in Uncle Doug's steel gutar. Bobbe has lived my teen age dream his whole life!! And surpassed anything I ever imagined! Proud of him? You BET!! |
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Posted 3 Jan 2007 4:31 pm
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We are proud of you too, Uncle Doug Seymour...al.
_________________
Michigan (MSGC)Christmas Dinner and Jam on my 80th Birthday.
My Email.. almarcus@cmedic.net
My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus |
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Doug Seymour
From:
Jamestown NY USA (deceased)
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Posted 3 Jan 2007 5:03 pm
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Thank you, Al....still hope we can pick some day before we can't anymore! I love that ShoBud Pro I, I saw you playing on YouTube!
I need more pedals on my C6th. I raise the 2 Es to F on my first pedal......been wondering if maybe it'd be better if I raised the 2 As to Bs. P2 is the D & F#s (p5 std C6th) P3 is the std C6th P6
with P7 on my RKL as per Jerry Gleason and some few others? I just got a used Carter Starter for my E9th stuff! So I call them my 2 piece D10. I just have to remember which tuning is called for on my gig......as if I ever had one anymore! Never say die! |
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Posted 3 Jan 2007 6:51 pm
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Doug-Sonds to me like you are getting "Lean and Mean" on that 3 pedal C6.
Your Pedal 5 and 6(2 and 3)and RLK is exactly like I have on my Sho-Bud Pro1. That Knee lever having pedal 7 on it really does it. I konw Jerry's setup and he has had that for years too.
Except I have my guitar tuned to E6 instead of C6(same thing really) I have 5 knee levers and 6 foot pedals on that Pro-1, had John Coop's parts and my friend Fred Welch put it all together. But I only use the two main pedals and that RLK for most of my pop,jaz stuff, you must be doing that too on your Excel. I am stiil hoping to get a CD together of those old standards. If I ever last long enough to do it, I will send you a copy. OK? Take care...al.
_________________
Michigan (MSGC)Christmas Dinner and Jam on my 80th Birthday.
My Email.. almarcus@cmedic.net
My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus |
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Ray Minich
From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
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Posted 4 Jan 2007 6:48 am
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"On the horns of an [enigma] dilemma"... what a beautiful piece of music. Once in a while, I am reminded by this tune, of that momemt when Schroeder played "Chopstiks" for Lucy
Always carry a spare...
Last edited by Ray Minich on 5 Jan 2007 8:41 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 4 Jan 2007 2:13 pm
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| Just out of interest Bobbe, what guitar did you use for the project, or did you use several? |
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Bobbe Seymour
From:
Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 4 Jan 2007 4:05 pm
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Ken, I used a 1971 Emmons P-P, seven pedal D-10 guitar, ser# 1554-D. Tone was the reason here however, I also used a Bigsby steel on two cuts, the Bigsby gave me more of a "laid back period tone" with a warmth that I couldn't find in any guitars I had in my house OR store.
I tried some different amps, but the engineer ended up mixing a "direct to board" line with a Peavey "Nashville 112" (but not stereo). A new Standel was used on the "Horns of a Delimma" cut.
Again, I was very fussy about my tone quality. I'm sure with a lot of expermenting I could have found other brands of equipment that would have satisfied me, but I saved time by playing an old P-P Emmons-Bigsby and a Nash. 112 amp cut to the chase quickly.
One very interesting weird thing happend during the recording of, "Horns of a Delimma",,,,,,,, I had gotten up from the steel guitar to go to the restroom and when I came back the musicians had already started the intro to the song with the 24 track recorder on, I sat down to play and realized I had forgotten my bar in the rest room and I had no time to retreve it. The song was in the key of "A" so I just went to the C 6th neck and started playing the melody in harmonics, ( in the relative minor position,no picks either). When the song was completed, I yelled to the engineer, Hey, let me over dub this, I lost my bar!
The entire band and the engineer in harmony yelled "NO WAY", YOU"D NEVER DO IT THAT GOOD AGAIN"!! Well, that's the was it stands today, no bar, no picks and no knee levers or pedals, I pulled the strings in the keyhead for note changes, some say it was my best song on the project, ouch!
Uncle Doug, thank you for all the nice words, just don't tell every body how we used to argue like brothers when we were little kids! Ha! Ha! No one could love or appreciate an uncle like I do you though. You opened all the doors for me as a youngster. But just remember Doug, play the TOP of the guitar, and get out from under it! Ha!
Let me say thank you to all of you for commenting on this post, I'll answer any questions you may have for me, here or by email. Rhythmatic was the project of my life, didn't realize that steel players might like it also! You know, steel guitar is that "sit down thing over on the side of the stage" to most folks. Steel is my only vehical to communicate my musical thoughts, (other than writing or producing).
I hope all of you find this CD musically enjoyable and can understand what I'm trying to say musically. Yep, it's a different direction for steel guitar. But it is a steel CD that anyone should enjoy, even your wives or girlfriends, hey, even your kids!
I seriously doubt if anyone will read this entire post,
but if you do, you have too much time on your hands! Ha!
Your great friend,
Thank you
Bobbe, |
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Ben Rubright
From:
Punta Gorda, Florida, USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2007 5:00 pm
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| In November I went to Nashville just to hang around Bobbe's store, which I did for 3 days. While there, I bought a copy of Rhythmatics. When I returned home, my wife heard the CD and promptly put it in her car and I have not seen it nor heard it since. Therefore, it is obvious that I need to head for Hendersonville once again and get another copy. So Bobbe, beware, the Benster may soon darken your doorway once again. |
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Bernie Gonyea
From:
Sherman Tx. 75092 ,U.S.A. (deceased)
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Posted 4 Jan 2007 8:19 pm
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 Hello Bobbe:
Your Uncle Doug sounds like quite a fellow; I enjoyed getting an E Mail from him, right after joining the Forum, back in Nov., 2006.. We were conversing about a musician, whom played in a band of mine, in the 60's & 70's, in up-state N.Y. It was his Note to me and he mentioning that you were his nephew, and being from the Jamestown area; Makes me feel as I still have a chance of becoming a steel guitarist, after 40 some years of trying to play.. But, I'll get to the Nitty-Griddy; I'd like to buy this CD which you are all commenting about.I definitely agree with you and Al, in regards to telling the world that a pedal steel guitar can produce some of the greatest sounds of music, that has been presented to all peoples., regardless of their nationalities. Keep up the good work, Bobbe, and you , too, Uncle Doug..Bernie [BING ]   |
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Ernest Cawby
From:
Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 4 Jan 2007 9:42 pm hi
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| Send me a copy.ernie |
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Ray Minich
From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
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Posted 5 Jan 2007 8:40 am
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What's the difference between an Enigma and a Dilemma? One I can remember erroneously, the other I can't remember at all...
I'll get it right one of these days Bobbe... |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 5 Jan 2007 8:56 am
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| Enigmas don't have horns. |
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Pat Burns
From:
Branchville, N.J. USA
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Posted 6 Jan 2007 5:08 pm
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| Quote: |
| I sat down to play and realized I had forgotten my bar in the rest room |
...um, I always leave mine on the guitar, but I guess some people might take it along to keep them company....not that there's anything wrong with that!...
...Rythmatic isn't a CD full of songs with the melody and chord progressions played on a steel guitar, which could just as easily have been recorded by Zamfir on a pan flute instead....it's a CD featuring an artist who uses steel guitar, among other instruments, to record good music...it transcends the steel guitar CD genre, and was masterfully executed. |
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Bobbe Seymour
From:
Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 6 Jan 2007 5:31 pm
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Wow, thank you Pat, this is what I was trying to accomplish with this CD,
, I just couldn't put what you said any better, you should have been commisioned to write my liner notes,,,
Next time, |
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Pat Burns
From:
Branchville, N.J. USA
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Posted 6 Jan 2007 5:39 pm
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| ..you want to commission me to tell people you take your bar into the mens room with you?... |
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Bobbe Seymour
From:
Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 6 Jan 2007 5:55 pm
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Yes Pat, I don't trust the guys I was working with, I left my bar on my steel one time on a session at Bradly's Barn, I came back and tried to pick the bar up and one of the nutty fellow musicians had covered it with a thin coat of Vasoline and I dropped it several times before I could get it cleaned off well enough to use, THOSE BOYS!
There are always tricksters and pranksters trying to release the intense pressure in the studio. I'm a slave driver during a session at times,,,,,,,,,, Yes, there is a place for "Tom foolery" also. It's easier to work in an atmosphere of fun than not.
Yes, Pat, you are hired to write the liner notes on the next CD!
Bobbster, |
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Pat Burns
From:
Branchville, N.J. USA
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Posted 6 Jan 2007 6:01 pm
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....oh, I figured you were just trying to keep it warm...
...you know I'd be happy to write your liner notes, Bobbe...and I'd be remiss now if I didn't mention that your skill as a producer shines through on this recording...it ain't your father's steel guitar CD. |
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Ron Kirby
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 7 Jan 2007 2:25 am
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| I really enjoyed listening to Rythmatic its a great CD. I also play Bobbes Priceless II CD alot. Congratulations Bobbe they are both great sounding CDs . |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 9 Jan 2007 4:50 am
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Bobbe - sorry to keep pestering you with questions about this recording. I am interested as to whether the musical arrangements were the work of one person (i.e. scored or charted in advance) or whether they were worked out collectively by those participating players on each track on the day. There is so much 'feel' in the slower, ambient type numbers, and tightness in the rhythm sections of the up tempo ones that it sounds as though the arrangements were worked on well in advance of the final recording.
Your inquisitive inquisitor
Ken B. |
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