bill keith, sweet moments with the blue velvet band...

Connie Mack · From: phoenicia, new york

hi folks,
i had to share this little story and discovery. i was at a public book discussion panel in woodstock, new york on saturday. i only knew that an old friend was on the panel and he had been a new wave bass player 30 years ago. i didn't know who else was going to be there...i threw on a t-shirt in the morning not even thinking about it. well, noted banjo player and studio musician, eric weissberg(dueling banjos) was on the panel among others. we got there late so i missed his part of it all but afterwards when he was done signing autographs he crossed the room just to talk to me because i happened to be wearing my sho-bud t-shirt that night. he then relates to me that right after he had bought his first pedal steel, a bud, and had learned a bit how to play it, he played his very first session on it for none other than "country road" with john denver. after some more interesting conversation he tells me to look for the album "sweet moments with the blue velvet band" which was recorded in '69 with a bunch of his friends in woodstock and bill keith on pedal steel. while owning the pedal steel book he and winnie winston put out, i had never actually heard any recordings of his work. i looked for copies of the album only to discover one online for $73. i ended up finding a website that has a link to download the whole thing for free. what a great album(a year after sweethearts of the rodeo) and am happy to report that bill keith's playing is truly superb. just very tasteful and up front. if any of you haven't heard it, i suggest a google search of the album's name. just had to share, thanks, c
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82'sho-bud u-12, frankendekely u-12, bride of frankendekley u-12, a whole mess of other instruments...finger still messed up but getting better...

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

Connie,Bill also played on the Maria Mudlaur the one that had Midnight at the Oasis record and some Jonathan Edwards records .I was lucky enough to take a 5 hour lesson from Bill when I was about 20 years old,he changed my musical life and wouldn't take a dime from me.
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David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

In the late '60's or early '70's, Bill played steel briefly with Ian (writer of "Someday Soon" among others) and Sylvia Tyson's group, "The Great Speckled Bird", (later being replaced by Buddy Cage,) although I am not certain if any recordings exist of that original lineup..

Bob Knetzger · From: Kirkland, WA USA

Yup, "Sweet Moments" is a good 'un. Bill Keith's playing is very cool here--not as slick or smooth in technique as a "Nashville pro", but he plays some really great parts. Like his innovative banjo playing, the parts he plays include the quintessential or even cliche moves and sounds of E9 but always with a little fresh twist here and there...and always with super solid musical construction. Worth tracking down.

Also Richard Greene knocks it out of the park on electric fiddle!

Olaf van Roggen · From: The Netherlands

"Sweet moments" with the Blue Velvet Band is one of my favourite records,not only for the great pedal steel playing by Bill,but just everything on it.
Jonathan Edwards"my home ain't in the hall of fame"with Bill Keith on steel is one I listen at least once a month to...I hope to meet Bill too once..

Joachim Kettner · From: Germany

I have another record where he is featured, it's by the Quinames Band. I think they came from New York.
A friend of mine attended a banjo workshop by him, I think.

Bobby Burns · From: Tennessee, USA

Once at the SPBGMA bluegrass show in Nashville, I was in the Gibson booth as they were closing up for the day. Earl Scruggs had been signing autographs and he was still there, amazingly without a crowd at this time. I was talking to Earl, and noticed Bill Keith sitting alone in the corner. I was a fan of Bill's playing and the books that he co-wrote with Earl Scruggs and Winnie Winston. I asked Bill where was his booth with the pictures for autographs. He said he wasn't really into the autographs and hero worship thing. I said, "Would it offend you if I got your autograph on one of Earl's pictures?' He said,"It won't bother me if it don't bother Earl." They both signed the picture and we had a good laugh about it. I was really impressed by how humble and laid back and friendly he was.

Connie Mack · From: phoenicia, new york

as another interesting side note, when i bought my first pedal steel, a red "little buddy", i had been trying to get it to tune properly using the keith/winston book. i was having no luck there and thought that there might be someone who could help. i noticed in the liner that keith lived close by. i looked him up in the phone book, gave him a call to asked him if he might know a place i could take it to. he told me to just come on over. he showed me the ropes on tuning. wouldn't take any money. signed the album i brought with. real nice guy. his son is just as nice. and a killer bass player, and luthier.
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82'sho-bud u-12, frankendekely u-12, bride of frankendekley u-12, a whole mess of other instruments...finger still messed up but getting better...

tom anderson · From: leawood, ks., usa

I've had this album since about 1970 and often get it out and play it. It's really a great recording and Bill's stuff is good. It seems like I like side one better than side two though. If you can get a copy, go for it.

Mike Poholsky · From: Kansas, USA

I just recently came across the "Pedal Steel Guitar" book that Bill and Winnie did way back when. I hadn't looked at it in a LONG time. I started going through it again. I was amazed at the unique stuff Bill put into his arrangements. Even simple songs like "Red River Valley" and "Shenandoah" have some cool moves in them.
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Karlis Abolins · From: (near) Seattle, WA, USA

I Have a copy of an album called "One Day at a Time" fronted by Jim Rooney that features Bill Keith. Some of the songs still knock my socks off when I listen to them. Bill's playing is simple, stylish, and innovative.

Karlis Very Happy

Connie Mack · From: phoenicia, new york

hey olaf,
if you are coming to the states anytime soon, he plays every thursday night in woodstock, ny.

i just went to see him tonite. he's still an amazing banjo player.
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82'sho-bud u-12, frankendekely u-12, bride of frankendekley u-12, a whole mess of other instruments...finger still messed up but getting better...

Olaf van Roggen · From: The Netherlands

.....thanks for the tip Connie...Woodstock Ny..hmm.isn't that were Cindy Cashdollar comes from...(I know she lives in Austin)maybe she and I can go together..aw ofcourse not...I love his banjo playing too.
He plays banjo and steel on :"Muleskinner; a potpoury of bluegrass jam"with Clarence White,David Grisman, and Peter Rowan on Warner Bros.

Dave Harmonson · From: Seattle, Wa

The Muleskinner album is still one of my all time favorites. Bill Keith's steel with Clarence's B Bender on Blue and Lonesome, Too really stands out.
Richard Greene is part of the line-up as well.

Olaf van Roggen · From: The Netherlands

...how could I forget Richard Greene,Thanks Dave!

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