Nic Neufeld
From:
Kansas City, Missouri
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Posted 21 Aug 2020 12:06 pm |
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Here's an almost better contrast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X9mSxL0cfY
The slowness brings out their differences. JB gets that subtle swell. He's starting out with the obligato while Barney takes the melody. There's something about about Barney's tone...it feels rawer, more string, more whine, more treble definitely.
My teacher tends to prefer steel guitar duets where the two voices are similar and complimentary (for instance, Evening in the Islands) whereas I, maybe more as a learner, love the ones where you can hear the stark contrast in the voices. Another great one (or, not ideal one, to my teacher  ) is the Steel Guitar Magic album with Barney and Billy Hew Len:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOfKquW4Llg
If I was going to characterize the sounds, which is hard to put into words, Barney has this great chordal approach (although, my teacher relayed a criticism from his contemporary, Benny Kalama, that he overplayed in backing, maybe fair, but love those chords!) and the melody has a lovely almost whining plaintiveness with lots of brightness. Billy's sound has a swagger, and muscle to it...a great complement.
Honestly, thanks for pointing me to that album. I need to get it. There's another Alan told me about yesterday, Barney's "E Mau Take One" which he loves...unfortunately way, way out of print.
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Waikīkī, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me |
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