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Topic: Saw Robert Randolph tonight, some q's.... |
Ron Victoria
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 12 Sep 2010 4:01 pm |
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He was playing with his band at Musicfest here in NJ. He really moves around fast. My first question is why does he use a psg if he doesn't use the pedals? Why not just use a lap with legs? Can he play psg? I wasn't close but it looked like he was using finger picks. I assume it was 10 strings, what tuning does he use? He played another red lap, what was it?
thanks, Ron
Last edited by Ron Victoria on 13 Sep 2010 7:48 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 12 Sep 2010 4:12 pm
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| Alot of us have been asking that question. |
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 12 Sep 2010 4:26 pm Re: Saw Robert Randolph tonight, some q's....
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| Ron Victoria wrote: |
He was playing with his band at Musicfest here in NJ. He really moves around fast. My first question is why does he use a psg if he doesn't use the pedals? Why not just use a lap with legs? Can he play psg? I wasn't close but it looked like he was using finger picks. I assume it was 10 strings, what tuning does he use? He played another red lap, what was it?
thanks, Ron |
Robert does use the pedals.
He uses a 13 string tuning which is a variant of Chuck Campbell's 12 string Sacred Steel tuning, with the addition of a very low G#. Do a search on the forum, you should be able to find his copedent.
I think that Robert has been playing an Asher lap steel. |
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Mike Poholsky
From:
Kansas, USA
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Posted 12 Sep 2010 4:59 pm
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Apparently he can. From another RR thread:
| John Rickard wrote: |
I have been hired as the steel tech for Robert about a week ago. He is doing more for "Steel Guitar Promotion" than anyone out there. There are always people after the show telling me that they have been inspired to learn the steel and have many questions about it after hearing him.
I have been backstage with him and have heard him play incredible things, every style, don't even think that he can't play country, he can make it sing and he can make it cry with the best of them!
One word, Amazing!
JR |
_________________
Zumsteel 12 Universal
SGBB
ShoBud VP
'64 Fender Twin Reverb/Fox Rehab
Fender Steel King w/BW 1501-4
FX to Taste |
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Clete Ritta
From:
San Antonio, Texas
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Posted 12 Sep 2010 8:19 pm
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| Ron Victoria wrote: |
| ...I assume it was 10 strings, what tuning does he use?... |
13 strings. He played a Fessenden and other brands.
Here is one which may not be current, but is attributed to his Sierra setup.
Clete |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 12 Sep 2010 11:43 pm
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| Quote: |
| My first question is why does he use a psg if he doesn't use the pedals? Why not just use a lap with legs? Can he play psg? |
I have watched RR several times and can tell you he does use his pedals and knee levers. Those who can't see this need to have their eyes checked. Granted, he doesn't play all those old Emmons, Green, etc. licks we all overuse every night, but he is a very competent PSG player.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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Curt Langston
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Posted 13 Sep 2010 4:20 am
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| Quote: |
Granted, he doesn't play all those old Emmons, Green, etc. licks we all overuse every night, but he is a very competent PSG player.
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Good point Richard!
Robert has given the pedal steel guitar more exposure in the last few years, than it has had in decades.
I wish he would post on here.
Robert, if you are reading this, please post sometime! We appreciate you and your fine, unique, style of playing!
God bless you.
Thanks,
Curt |
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 13 Sep 2010 6:56 am
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If you look at Robert's tuning, you will see that it is set up well for single note soloing without pedals, similar to the C6th or E13th tunings. I've seen Buddy Emmons rip off C6th single note solos barely touching the pedals/knee levers. For some reason, nobody questions why Buddy plays a pedal steel.  |
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Ben Jones
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 13 Sep 2010 7:46 am
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I have the Chuck Campbell dvd on Sacred Steel. Dude has like twenty  pedals on his guitar and uses them so much it made my head spin. As Dan said tho, not used alot when soloing. But still even playing licks or melody lines, i was surprised how much pedal usage there was that I really hadnt noticed.
I asked the same thing before watching the vid, why not just play a lap steel?. Now i know.
btw, that chuck campbell dvd was really useful to me as a rock/blues player, despite not understand or sharing his tuning or setup. the stuff he shows on single string useage opened some doors for me and was worth the price of the vid by itself. I use it every time I play. rock on |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 13 Sep 2010 1:03 pm
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| Thats because Buddy used knee levers and pedals most of the time like most real pedal steel players do. They aren't there for show props. Don't even compare the two. |
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 13 Sep 2010 1:39 pm
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So Kevin, in your vast experience with seeing Robert Randolph play, how many times does he play a song without using pedals?
I've played with Robert a few dozen times, and seen him many more, and I don't recall him ever playing a song without pedals. He might not use them like an E9th country player does, but that doesn't mean they are 'props'. He's got as complicated a copedant than just about anybody on this forum. |
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Twayn Williams
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 13 Sep 2010 1:42 pm
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| Kevin Hatton wrote: |
| Thats because Buddy used knee levers and pedals most of the time like most real pedal steel players do. They aren't there for show props. Don't even compare the two. |
My steel player can beat up your steel player 
_________________
Primitive Utility Steel |
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Ben Jones
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 13 Sep 2010 2:21 pm
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| The futility of the discussion in these RR threads is frustrating. its like the current political climate. People just wanna remain comfortable in whatever beleif system they hold. The reality of the situation apparently means nothing to them it seems as long as they can hang onto their beliefs and biases. its tiresome and weak. |
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Craig Stock
From:
Westfield, NJ USA
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Posted 13 Sep 2010 2:36 pm
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I saw Robert use pedals and Knee Levers, who knew, here are a few pix from last night in Clark New Jersey at the Union County Musicfest.
Robert played his Red Sierra and his Blue Fessy along with a lap steel.
It was nice to see Mr. Rikard smiling on the side of the stage!
_________________
Regards, Craig
I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet.
Today is tomorrow's Good ol' days |
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 13 Sep 2010 3:48 pm
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| Robert must be the most important steel player to the steel community, given the response that these posts get on the steel forum. |
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John Rickard
From:
Phoenix (It's A Dry Heave) AZ
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Posted 13 Sep 2010 6:00 pm
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7 Pedals & 5 Knees, uses every one of them. He actually wears them out! Do yourself a favor and see him live if you get a chance. 
_________________
SLIDE IT ON OVER!
www.johnrickard.net |
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Mitch Ellis
From:
Collins, Mississippi USA
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Posted 13 Sep 2010 7:27 pm
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I once saw a close-up shot of Roberts Fessy and the fret board had alot of "scars". I've seen it on other steels as well. How does this happen with the strings being as high as they are above the fret board? These guys must really be diggin' in! 
Thank you, Mitch |
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Curt Langston
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Posted 13 Sep 2010 7:58 pm
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| Quote: |
| Robert must be the most important steel player to the steel community, given the response that these posts get on the steel forum. |
So true!
He certainly has done much more for the promotion/exposure of pedal steel guitar than, I would venture to say, anybody.
So you don't like high gain, overdriven pedal steel? Well, don't listen to him then.
Thousands of others dig it, and are wanting to learn the instrument.
No, it is not "country" but it is drawing more folks into the instrument than country ever did.
Rock on Robert. We need your energy! |
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Clete Ritta
From:
San Antonio, Texas
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Posted 14 Sep 2010 1:58 am
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Robert Randolph.
I like his style.
Everyone in his band, whether brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews or friends,
they are all the true collective spirit of gospel oriented music.
Can ya feel it.?
There's a collective soul which is readily felt when listening.
I'm sure it's even more inspiring in concert.
I look forward to seeing Robert Randolph and the Family Band...LIVE!!
Im glad he plays and sings just the way he does.
I get it.
Clete |
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chas smith R.I.P.
From:
Encino, CA, USA
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Posted 14 Sep 2010 1:38 pm
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| Quote: |
| Thats because Buddy used knee levers and pedals most of the time like most real pedal steel players do. They aren't there for show props. |
Why would that matter? The idea is to deliver the music. It's not about how it was delivered. |
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Craig Stock
From:
Westfield, NJ USA
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Posted 14 Sep 2010 4:49 pm
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And he delivered!!!
_________________
Regards, Craig
I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet.
Today is tomorrow's Good ol' days |
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Craig Stock
From:
Westfield, NJ USA
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Posted 14 Sep 2010 5:08 pm
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What I really like about Robert is that he looks at the audience and makes facial contact with everyone and he has this big warm smile that is infectuous.
On Sunday he had four guitar players come up on stage at random to play with the band and do a few solos, at first I thought they were plants, since the first guy was so terrific, but then you could tell they were just a bunch of good players that he gave the chance to shine in front of the crowd.
Who does that? The guy has no ego.
I brought a bunch of friends to the show with me and they all walked away with only great things to say about him. AMEN.
_________________
Regards, Craig
I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet.
Today is tomorrow's Good ol' days |
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Michael Holland
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 14 Sep 2010 6:07 pm
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edited
Last edited by Michael Holland on 15 Sep 2010 5:37 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Craig Stock
From:
Westfield, NJ USA
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Posted 15 Sep 2010 3:15 am
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Sorry to hear that, I had heard the opposite of him. My bad
_________________
Regards, Craig
I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet.
Today is tomorrow's Good ol' days |
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Ron Victoria
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 15 Sep 2010 10:41 am
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Wow, I should have stayed longer, maybe I could have played his lap!!!
ron |
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