| Author |
Topic: strange songs done in the studio |
Mike Archer
From:
church hill tn
|
Posted 15 Apr 2007 10:19 am |
|
how many like me get called for studio work
only to find out when you get there
the tunes they want steel on are realy not steel tunes and the tunes are full of endless going nowhere
cord structures ?? im not ungratefull for the work
as i always put on it what they want. but i wish
i could get called on some sessions where i could do some intros and turnarounds fills and such instead of hearing this DONT MAKE IT TO COUNTRY.
i think my new moto will be to ask before i go
and just say no to the strange ones
any opinions on this?  |
|
|
 |
chas smith R.I.P.
From:
Encino, CA, USA
|
Posted 15 Apr 2007 11:15 am
|
|
| I don't get a lot of calls because there are so many other talented players in LA. And if it's "country", JD, Doug or Greg, to name a few, would be first call. So, the calls I get are usually the unusual stuff where the A and B pedals don't get a workout. |
|
|
|
Dick Wood
From:
Springtown Texas, USA
|
Posted 15 Apr 2007 11:56 am
|
|
Guy calls saying he had a tune that was going to be done for a radio commercial and he thought steel would be the way to go and says I'll pay you $100.00 to come out. I get there thinking they'd have the basic rhythm track down and I'd play some melody fills.
Wrong...He had nothing but a drum and bass guitar track which gave me no clue as to the melody line so he sits there and hums what he thinks he wants.
I played basically what he hummed, got my money and he says that was good,I'll call you again. |
|
|
|
Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
|
Posted 15 Apr 2007 12:35 pm
|
|
Some songwriters try to "individualize" their stuff by adding weird chords and progressions that really don't fit, or do anything for the song. I can only play stuff that I can feel, so those types of songs give me problems.
I turn down half of the sessions I get calls for because I simply don't care for the songs. Playing is an emotional thing for me, and one day I simply reached the point where I decided that I would no longer do something I really didn't want to do just to make a few bucks, or get another session credit under my belt. |
|
|
|
Tony Dingus
From:
Kingsport, Tennessee, USA
|
Posted 15 Apr 2007 1:00 pm
|
|
I know what you're talking about Mike. I've played on records were every song was the same and some were there's more split bars than you can shake a stick at. When a session is like that, that's when you start thinking about the money . ha ha.
Tony |
|
|
|
Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
|
Posted 15 Apr 2007 2:03 pm
|
|
It doesn't really matter to me,I will play anything they ask to if I am capable,and give them my 100% best always.I try to approach it with an open mind,even though it might seem a little weird,I try to put down what they are hearing in their head.
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
|
|
|
Bryan Bradfield
From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
|
Posted 15 Apr 2007 2:24 pm
|
|
Someone is recording their art, and paying money to do so. That artist wants it be the best that it can be. They've heard some of your stuff, and know that you are the artist that can contribute to their art, or someone they trust has said that you are the person that can make it happen.
I personally dislike most of the "art" that is out there. I am pretty specific about what I enjoy, and want to sit down and listen to, and that list is pretty limited.
But as a studio player, you are either for hire, or you are not. What I enjoy listening to is one thing. Contributing something musical outside of my experience and history is a challenge that I enjoy.
It sounds odd to me that the hired musical gun auditions the artist that is paying the bills. A player that makes it known that he or she is available for sessions had better be smilingly prepared for anything that jumps up, and should be able to produce. |
|
|
|
Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
|
Posted 15 Apr 2007 2:41 pm
|
|
Bryan..Well said!I don't wnat to sidetrack this thread But I was in Lethbridge about 15 years ago playing at the Cook County,and I found a steel guitar shop in the little town square,do you know anything about it?Stu
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
|
|
|
Bryan Bradfield
From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
|
Posted 15 Apr 2007 3:32 pm
|
|
| Stu - that steel shop was CJ's Music, which was owned and operated by forumite Chuck Lawson, who has now retired from the retail game. I haven't seen a post from him recently. I'll email him right away and let him know about your comment. |
|
|
|
Mike Archer
From:
church hill tn
|
Posted 15 Apr 2007 4:21 pm studio
|
|
all points are well taken and yes studio guy gets paid for what he knows as well as what he plays
i guess for me ill ask about the types of tunes and go from there
thanks for all imput!
makes for a great forum  |
|
|
|
b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
|
Posted 15 Apr 2007 6:33 pm
|
|
There aren't any recording studios in Cloverdale, so I don't have to even think about dilemmas like this anymore. My intonation is bad enough that I rarely got called back anyway, when I lived in the city. 
_________________
-๐๐๐- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video |
|
|
|
Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
|
Posted 16 Apr 2007 9:51 am
|
|
I'm with Stu and Bryan on this one. I still find it an honor to be called for a session because someone thinks my sound and style will help their recording.
After all of the threads about disappearing venues for steel guitar, I'd think players would jump at the chance to make a valid musical statement on tracks that are "other than standard country".
I always welcome those sessions where the steel gets used in new or unusual ways. And they almost always lead to more session work! |
|
|
|
Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
|
Posted 16 Apr 2007 10:30 am
|
|
Mark,Right On!
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
|
|
|
Mike Archer
From:
church hill tn
|
Posted 16 Apr 2007 12:59 pm sessions
|
|
i didnt say I was ungratefull for the work
and im not complaining about the studio or the work it provides..........
i was speaking about more than anything the song
arangements and cords involved
on the tunes |
|
|
|
basilh
From:
United Kingdom
|
|
|
|
Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
|
Posted 16 Apr 2007 4:10 pm
|
|
Mike,I know where you're coming from,It would be great if you could do a recording session that was your favorite style,and then you could enjoy it more when you play it at home,and for friends etc.I have to become almost two separate people when I record for clients,unfortunately they can't all be gems,I would bet that once someone reaches the level of a Paul Franklin,Buddy Emmons and those folks they can pick,and chose the songs that they want to record on?I just enjoy making the client happy,and having them call me back.That's what works for me but I
totally understand and respect you,Stu
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
|
|
|
Mike Archer
From:
church hill tn
|
Posted 16 Apr 2007 6:57 pm sessions
|
|
thanks Stu what you said well
thats how i feel i still enjoy whatever
i get to play on the tunes
I feel like after all these years playing steel
for a living on the road and sessions i miss
doing the type music i love and love to play
music has changed so much not just country
but all music as a whole ...I think IM just to darn old !!!haha oh well life goes on right?  |
|
|
|
Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
|
Posted 16 Apr 2007 7:51 pm
|
|
Mike,our local newspaper puts out a weekly music chart,Pop,Country,Adult etc.and I hardly recognize anything unless it's a remake...Peace,Stu
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
|
|
|
Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
|
Posted 17 Apr 2007 6:02 am
|
|
I personally love to play on cuts where no one would expect to hear a steel guitar, and I appreciate the producer/artist giving me that chance.
While I value any session work I do, probably my least favorite type of session is when I am faced with a pop song,and the producer tells me that it's 'not country enough', and I have been brought in to 'fix' it. In that case, the more that I play in a stereotyped 'cartoonish' steel style, the happier they are. A phrase that was used on this forum comes to mind: 'a glorified musical saw'.
_________________
www.tyack.com
Capetown girls sing this wrong: "da doo, da doo" |
|
|
|
Mike Archer
From:
church hill tn
|
Posted 17 Apr 2007 6:51 am sessions
|
|
yes Dan ive been there too
its good to play on tunes like you said where
you wouldnt expect to hear steel and make that
have a great feel and color  |
|
|
|
Bill Terry
From:
Bastrop, TX
|
Posted 17 Apr 2007 6:56 am
|
|
Craziest session I ever did was for a singer/songwriter a few years ago. He 'composed' on autoharp, you know the kind with all the chords labeled on little buttons?
So he just mashed buttons and strummed... split bars, absolutely non-sensical chord progressions, it was probably the longest 4 hours of my life.
That said, he was happy, and I got paid..  |
|
|
|
Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
|
Posted 17 Apr 2007 2:06 pm
|
|
| Quote: |
| I still find it an honor to be called for a session because someone thinks my sound and style will help their recording. |
Well, just to clarify, I tend to view things a little more pragmatically. I'm no "big star", and the people I do sessions for aren't "big stars" either. I always give 100%, but I do realize I'm just a hired hand, a name on a Rollodex right over "pedal steel player". There are about 6 steelers in this area that do sessions, and of course, we never really know if we were the first choice or the last! Nevertheless, I admit there's some things I don't do well (nobody does everything well), and in those cases, I freely recommend someone who might be more suited to the task. I look at it as a form of honesty (with myself), and I try to keep a good relationship going with the studio. No one's irreplaceable (especially me), and though I don't know for sure, I would imagine even the best studio players have turned down a session or two. |
|
|
|
