Anybody know Robert Powell?

Pete Finney · From: Nashville Tn.

He's from the Bay area, and sounds like he might be an interesting, adventurous type of steel player from this web-site.

A search of the forum just turns up a few brief mentions but he's mentioned in good company (B.J. Cole, Susan Alcorn etc.). He doesn't ever post here as far as I can tell. Can anybody here tell us anything about this guy? Mr. Perlowin? Smile

http://www.watercoursemedia.com/musician_info/robert_powell.htm

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

By sheer co-incidence, Robert's "Desert beach" CD in my CD player right now. I've been listening to it for the past few days. I reviewed the CD for SGW several years ago, and gave it a very positive review at the time.

It's a very nice CD, with a LOT of pedal steel guitar on it. Robert is a really interesting and creative guitarist/steel guitarist and has created something very beautiful and worthwhile. He certainly deserves to wider recognition than he has received. I'm glad to see some interest in him and his fine album.

Here is the review I wrote for SGW:

CD Review: Robert Powell: Desert Beach (Blue Yonder Music BYCD171) (P.O. Box 150723, San Rafael CA 94915)

The cover of this CD features a picture of a steel-bodied dobro on a beach, highlighting the engraving of a Hawaiian scene found of the back of the instrument. It's a simple, elegant, and very pretty picture that is very accurately describes the mood of the music inside.

Robert Powell is a very accomplished guitarist who plays both pedal and acoustic Hawaiian steel guitars as part of his overall arsenal of guitar sounds. He also plays 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars as well as the electric guitar. Consequently, this is not so much a CD of steel guitar music as it is of guitar music in which both forms of steel guitar play an important part.

This recording falls into the category of "New Age Music." It's very pretty, soft, easy-to-listen-to music whose complexities are hidden beneath it's relaxing beauty. In fact, at first listening, you might think this is merely elevator music, but it's not. Instead it's a gentle display of virtuosity that doesn't grab you and shake you up but softly and subtly walks up to you on tip-toe. This music is soft, but not bland. There is a difference. Even on the up tempo songs such as the rock-influenced "Rhythm Congress" Powell managed to be exciting and relaxing at the same time.

Some form of steel guitar is used throughout the album. The pedal steel guitar is used on six of the seven tunes and the acoustic Hawaiian steel is featured on the remaining one. On 3 of the tunes the pedal steel is the featured instrument, and on the others it plays a strong supporting role. On some tunes there are two steels playing different parts. Like a lot of "New Age" music, the feel of the recording is basically acoustic and where Powell uses the steel it sets up a contrast between the obvious electric sound of the steel and the organic sound of Powell's flat top, which permeates throughout.

One criticism of the recording. Every song (all original compositions written by Powell,) is beautiful in it's own way, but they all sound somewhat similar to each other. Like some other CDs, this one tends to get a little monotonous after a while. If there is an advantage of LPs and tapes over CDs it is that the recording is broken into two halves. Instead of a 40 minute dose of the music, you get two twenty minute doses. That's perhaps the best way to listen to this recording. To me at least, twenty minutes of Powell's work at a time seems about the right amount.

Two things steel guitarists should be aware of before purchasing this CD. The first is that it contains no licks to cop. All too often we steelers listen to something with the idea of trying to learn what the player did. It's too bad because in our efforts to learn as much as we can we fail to simply sit back and enjoy the music. This is one of those recordings that has to be listened to with the heart, rather than the mind.

The second thing is that there is nothing even remotely connected to country music anywhere on the recording. Powell is aiming for a different audience, the "New Age" crowd, with this CD. Along with B.J. Cole, Susan Alcorn, and Chas Smith he is playing the steel guitar to people who are for the most part unfamiliar to it. In the process he and his peers are giving our instrument a real shot in the arm and stimulating interest in it among people who are not part of the country music community. There are a lot of people who are afraid the steel guitar is dying. Powell is one of those who are giving it new life.
All in all, a most enjoyable and innovative set by a fine player. If you like your music soft and pretty, this CD is a definite winner.

_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Apparently the CD has been reissued on another label, based in Colorado. I don't know whether the address in my review is still good or not.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin

Pete Finney · From: Nashville Tn.

Thanks Mike... Actually now that I see your review again I remember reading it back then. I think I made a "mental note" to check out the CD, but like so many mental notes it seems to have gotten erased somehow! Cool

Any of you Bay area guys know Robert? Does he "play out"? I notice a couple of bands listed on the web page...

Anyway it sounds worth checking out, thanks...

Billy Wilson · From: El Cerrito, California, USA

I did a wierd Mexican Pop session with Robert where he played steel and I played accordion. He was paying out with Shauna Morrison who is Van's daughter. Dont know if he still does. Cool dude for sure.

Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

I saw him for a few songs when we were playing down the street from each other a few years back. He can play for sure. I never met him though.

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