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Topic: steel playing in movie "Tender Mercies" w/ Robert |
Brandon Ordoyne
From:
Needville,Texas USA
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Posted 6 May 2007 7:30 pm |
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If any one gets the chance to see a great movie, "Tender Mercies" w/ Robert Duvall (1983) has quite a bit of steel playing in it. This was a review on the movie:
Brilliantly acted, well-paced drama centering on a has-been country singer whose life takes an upwards turn when he befriends (and marries) a softspoken widowed mother of a young son. He is able to give up drinking, he meets his long-estranged daughter, and he even resurrects his once-great songwriting abilities as he mentors a young up-and-coming country band. His baptism into the local church is truly symbolic of his newfound stability and happiness. A wonderful film that illustrates how one can and must have hope through dire circumstances and gratitude for the blessings that exist despite these circumstances (God's "tender mercies" towards us all). And a film whose low-key setup proves that less is indeed more.
Robert Duvall's performance as the main character is nothing short of fantastic. There is something grand going on inside all those quiet, unassuming mannerisms. Mannerisms I might add that are pitch perfect. I could see in him many of the men I've grown up around.
Tess Harper is great as well; the scenes where she is smiling at Duvall as he performs in a nightclub are heartfelt and moving, as she convincingly shows her character's genuine love and pride for her husband.
Also, a nod to Betty Buckley (the gym instructor from "Carrie") not only for her great performance as Duvall's first wife but also to her beautiful singing voice (remember, she was in the original ensemble of "Cats" and it was she who sang the classic "Memory"). And a very young Ellen Barkin makes a brief but strong impression.
Also, you do not have to be a fan of country music to appreciate the great soundtrack. There are wonderful songs here, many of which could have been big hits on C&W radio had they been released.
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'74 Emmons D10 P/P 8x5,'15 Rittenberry D10 8x5, Peavey Nashville 112, 400 & 1000, Fender Twin Reverb Tone Master, Hilton, Goodrich L120, Boss DD-3 and RV-3 |
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Emmett Roch
From:
Texas Hill Country
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Posted 6 May 2007 7:55 pm
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I agree, that was a great movie, pretty realistic in a lot of ways.
I wonder what the model number/name was of that Guild acoustic guitar he was playing, with the triangular sound hole...I think I remember seeing an album cover picture of Ferlin Husky with one like it (MANY years ago). |
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Jody Sanders
From:
Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 6 May 2007 8:13 pm
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| Buddie Hrabal was the steel player in the scenes where Dixie(X-wife) was performing at the"Opry type show. Jody. |
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Greg Simmons
From:
where the buffalo (used to) roam AND the Mojave
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Posted 6 May 2007 8:56 pm
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| I wonder what the model number/name was of that Guild acoustic guitar he was playing, with the triangular sound hole... |
Mac Sledge was strumming a Gretsch Rancher acoustic.
_________________
<i>�Head full of this kaleidoscope of brain-freight, Heart full of something simple and slow�</i>
-Mark Heard
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Bill Terry
From:
Bastrop, TX
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Posted 7 May 2007 7:59 am
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I remember that there were a couple of brothers I played around town with (Fort Worth) that were in that movie. Steve and Larry Funchess I believe... They were the 'home town' band.
Are they still around??
BT |
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Mark Eaton
From:
Sonoma County in The Great State Of Northern California
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Posted 7 May 2007 8:11 am
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Forced to pick one, I think I'd declare Robert Duvall my favorite living actor. And I think "Tender Mercies" was one of his finest efforts.
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Mark |
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Brandon Ordoyne
From:
Needville,Texas USA
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Posted 7 May 2007 4:51 pm
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Just bought the movie today 
Brandon
_________________
'74 Emmons D10 P/P 8x5,'15 Rittenberry D10 8x5, Peavey Nashville 112, 400 & 1000, Fender Twin Reverb Tone Master, Hilton, Goodrich L120, Boss DD-3 and RV-3 |
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Emmett Roch
From:
Texas Hill Country
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Posted 7 May 2007 7:02 pm
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| Thanks, Greg. Not sure where I got the idea it was a Guild. |
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Buddie Hrabal
From:
Arlington,Texas USA
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Posted 19 May 2007 6:38 pm
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| Yes that would be me in Dixie's band, the other steel player was James Aaron. Glad you enjoyed the movie. |
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Howard Kalish
From:
Austin, Tx USA
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Posted 23 May 2007 11:40 am
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Hi Brandon - Tender Mercies is definitely a wonderful movie and Robert Duvall captures the Mac Sledge character so perfectly. A lot of sadness in that film, but he prevails. He wrote some of the songs as well. Screenplay by one of the greatest, Horton Foote.
I played a wrap party for another Duvall film, Stars Fell on Henrietta, which I heartily recommend. It was filmed out near Bartlett and it's about the oil wildcatters in the early 30's.
Anyways, we played the wrap party with Don Walser and Jimmy Day was with us. This was about 13 years ago. Robert Duvall got up and sang with us and said how honored he was to get to sing with Jimmy backing him up. I remember he sang Please Release Me and a few others, but he wouldn't do any Mac Sledge tunes though I asked him to.
For a number of years afterwards he'd show up at our gig at the Broken Spoke now and then with his wife and they'd two-step up a storm. He's heavy into the tango, so the Texas two-step is a cinch. A very nice man. |
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Janice Brooks
From:
Pleasant Gap Pa
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Posted 23 May 2007 3:12 pm
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Then it's not just coinsidence that Walsers music was in Second Hand Lions.
Tender Mercies is high on my list of favorete movies.
Last year on another forum the question was who you would invite for thanksgiving. My responce was Robert Duvall or Clint Eastwood to share stories as country music fans. |
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Howard Kalish
From:
Austin, Tx USA
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Posted 23 May 2007 3:25 pm
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| Hi Janice - I don't know if Duvall put in the good word for Don's music for Second Hand Lions or not, but I'm glad they used and paid ol' Don something for it. |
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