NAMM Ramblings

chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

I went to the NAMM show yesterday at the Anaheim Convention center, an enormous affair (1.4 million square feet) of musical offerings. On the drive down, a lot of it in first gear or just sitting in a 6 to 16 lane parking lot, I had been thinking about the recent article on how country music sales were down another 10% this year.

Over the past few years that I've been hanging around the Forum, there has been a number of threads and comments on the topic of (what is now considered to be) country music and why it isn't selling. First and foremost is, that it doesn't have enough steel guitar solos. However, over on the Drummer's Forum, they think it doesn't have enough drum solos and then (God forbid) over on the Bass forum, they think it doesn't have enough bass solos.

Of course, we know, that we're right and they're wrong.

Then, as I was inching along in traffic, I was thinking, how much music do we need to buy, after we've bought just about every variation of the stuff we like? It's a dilemma in classical music, where since they don't write like that anymore, the same pieces keep getting recorded over and over again. How many versions of the ___________ composed by _________ recorded by ________ do we need. I know, each one has a slightly different "flavor", but like, after Pablo Casals recorded the Bach Cello suites what was the point. Ok, Yo Yo Ma's performance wasn't up to Pablo's, but it was on CD so it sounded crisper and cleaner, an important criterion for music appreciation.

So, back to "country music", we all seem to have our favorites and typically, they are the "roots" performers and recordings where the individuals are recognizable and the traditional instruments are used to perform songs with traditional themes: humor, love (in, out, lost), work, social experience, religion and death, I'm sure I missed some, like pickup trucks and drunk mothers in prison.....

BUT, when I think about the basic musical form, 8 tone scales, I-IV-V chords....there's a limit to how much variation is available to this form and over the past 40 years or so that I've been buying records, a lot of them are very similar. I used to joke that there were performers who kept doing the same song over and over, but since I liked that song, I kept buying their records.

At one time, I bought a couple of the newer country cd's and I didn't hear anything that I liked any better than what I already had. So now, I've gone through the "wall of vinyl" and burned some of the favorites to cd's, scratches and all, and that's what I listen to when I want to listen to country. And thus, now I'm contributing to the problem. How much of the same thing do I need before I have enough?

NAMM show. It seemed like there were 4 large rooms devoted to things for musicians (instruments and amplifiers) and components for building instruments and then, 2 large rooms for things that made musicians unnecessary.

The various software offerings for music production were very "sobering". We've talked about how, you'll never replace the steel player with a "box", and that may be, but the ability to convincingly replace everyone else, in a production environment, is apparent.

Because I'm involved in that field, the "studio in a box" is exciting, because I'm a musician, the "musician in a box" is depressing.

Tom Olson · From: Spokane, WA

Chas -- lots of good, interesting points you've raised. If I'm understanding you correctly, I especially agree with what you're saying about limits on the available variations of a particular musical form. That is, there are only so many chord progressions that will sound reasonably good, only so many notes in a musical scale, and only so many ways to arrange those notes to fit a given musical form. Thus, limits are inevitable in regard to what new (and appealing) things can be done within that form.

[This message was edited by Tom Olson on 18 January 2004 at 03:58 PM.]

Jeff A. Smith · From: Angola,Ind. U.S.A.

For musicians, I suppose there could be a silver lining somewhere. It's not quite the same thing as waiting for Garry Kasparov to convincingly lose a match to a chess computer.

Although there is art in chess, it still has a commonly agreed upon bottom line, which is winning the game. Actually, that's sort of an interesting topic in itself: If you go back far enough, the best chess players often did put aside "materialistic" considerations, in favor of creating the most beautiful game. They would look with contempt on those players who didn't.

Maybe when Kasparov, Kramnik, or whomever finally gets whipped badly by a computer, players will get back to looking at the game primarily as a way of expressing beauty.

In a similar sense, maybe musicians will become more focused on developing their humanity, rather than sterile technique. Even from a materialistic viewpoint, they may have to, in order to do anything people will find interesting.

I can understand how the new technology would excite producers. Although I don't have a lot of first-hand experience with it, I was amazed when recently doing some recording for a guy, to find that the honky-tonk piano part on a track was generated by a machine. When I really listened to the part, it did sound kind of random or directionless in a way, but at least it gave the guy something to enhance the track with.

It bothers me to think that producers may (if they haven't already) concoct styles of music specifically so that they don't have to deal with musicians; or perhaps as part of a "dumbing down" of public tastes, to make their job easier.

Still, I like to think that in the long run people will eventually wake up to the things a human being really needs.

Machines, like facts, are basically "friendly."

(Anyway, that's what I tell myself.)

[This message was edited by Jeff A. Smith on 18 January 2004 at 04:27 PM.]

Earnest Bovine · From: Los Angeles CA USA

Dave Birkett · From: Oxnard, CA, USA

Why does anyone ever listen to a recording twice?

chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

Perhaps because it's enjoyable, I feel a connection to it and it has enough substance to sustain my interest. I agree with you that very little of today's "product" is worthy of one listening, let alone two.....

Gorilla, ugh.....

"The answer may be in another instrument"......Glenn Gould comes to mind.

Dave Birkett · From: Oxnard, CA, USA

Chas, my question was meant to be rhetorical if not philosophical. Obviously music can strike a chord in our brain's pleasure zones. And when that pleasure isn't coming often enough, we complain. A good perfomance is like a good book. Every time you listen to it or read it, the pleasure zone gets stroked anew. Also, there inevitably is a nuance that you hadn't noticed before that gives you added pleasure.

chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

Dave, one of the pleasurable things is when an oldie plays, many times I can remember exactly what I was doing at the time, especially if it was in the back seat of a '52 Chevy or '58 Chevy or '64 Chevy, or 63 Ford or 52 Cadillac, or 69 Ford van or, or, or......

[This message was edited by chas smith on 19 January 2004 at 03:18 PM.]

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

Bo. What did you think about the Starker recordings?

John Bechtel · From: Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.

I like to make my own little home-made recordings. I use either a Baritone-Uke or my Flat-top guitar for the Rhythm-Track(s) Then I add my Steel to another track and I'm done! Several people recently have suggested that I add BIAB or something similar to my recordings. But, until I learn how to play drums or bass or any other instrument, my contributions to the sounds will remain as I am doing now. I just can't see having artificial sounds taking the place of live music! But then, my recordings are only for my own entertainment and for learning from the musical-mistakes that I find in the finished product. I also like to share my knowledge with my friends, but; they're not intended for commercial sales! When I listen back to something that I have done, I can hear the other instruments in my own head, without them actually being there! I've always agreed that Live-Music is Best! That includes ‘live-recording’, although I'm not saying machines don't sound good, but; there's no one to compliment, except the mfg. of the machine! On the other hand, I can honestly say that I can enjoy listening to someone else playing to pre-recorded tracks that they have either purchased or using a machine that they own, with no frowns at all! It sounds great! My only point is that I have/would play at a public-event using pre-recorded accompanyment, however; it is/would be tracks that were recorded by myself, live and not a machine! I think BIAB or something similar is a very good alternative for someone who doesn't play additional instruments. I guess my own tracks make me feel more personal with my music! After all, my music has become mainly a Hobby! Nuff-said! Just my own personal opinions. “Big John”

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“Big John” Bechtel
http://community.webtv.net/KeoniNui/BigJohnBechtels

Kerry Wood · From: Tucson, Arizona, USA

Chas, were you by any chance able to go to Deke's Guitar Geek Festival on Sunday after NAMM? It sounded like such a great event, I was considering flying out there for it - and I don't fly often.

Kerry

chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

Kerry, I had planned on it. I've known Deke for a long time, going back to the Dee Lannon/Big Sandy/Dave and Deke days, but I had to spend Sunday getting my rack ready for a session. Those aren't the kinds of things I like to miss.

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

There is so much different music out there, I'm always finding new things. Yesterday I discovered Radiohead. Whoa! Where was that hiding?

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Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax

Nate LaPointe · From: Los Angeles, California, USA

Radiohead, eh b0b? Their older stuff is great. Which album did you listen to? My favorite is either "Ok Computer" or "The Bends"

chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

Fascinating, at the session yesterday, Radiohead came up and the consensus in the room was that they are the best band in the country right now. One of the people is going to send me a couple of their albums. It's always good to be reminded of how out of touch I am with the main stream......El Dinosaur.

Rick Schmidt · From: Prescott AZ, USA

Well I just asked my 20 year old son who Radiohead is and are they any good? He said theyve already been around for ten years or so....and that I probably wouldnt like them. ha! At this point, I find myself liking anything that doesnt suck.

Herb Steiner · From: Spicewood TX 78669

chas, my baby mama dude, you are such a dinosaur...NOT!!!!

I was in Waterloo Records the other day, looking for an album by Cal Smith. No Cal Smith, but they had 2 CHAS SMITH recordings in stock!!! Tell me you're not happening!!

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

Herbster
The only differnce between Chas and myself is that...Chas is happening..I already happened.

and maybe a few more LBS on Chas
than on me.

edited and a few more years on me. Like a kid said in a music store when someone mentioned my name..the kid asked,,hey
who is that dude? is he a happening guy or what? the other kid said Nah..that dude already happened..I didnt realize there was an expiration date on me..

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 22 January 2004 at 03:40 PM.]

Jack Francis · From: Queen Creek, Arizona, USA

Jody

Those wrinkles on your forehead could be a bar code..have it scanned at a checkout stand, it could be that there is an expiration date on us..think I'll go get checked.

[This message was edited by Jack Francis on 22 January 2004 at 06:24 PM.]

chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

Jody and Herb, thank you for the nice words. One of the advantages of being older is the, "if he's still doing it at that age, he must be serious" which gets countered by, "if he's still doing it at that age, he never grew up".

Be that as it may, I'm very proud of my immaturity, I've worked hard at it and it shows. Then again so do the extra lbs.

Scott Henderson · From: Camdenton, Missouri, USA

let me go into my daymode head. i have been in radio and media advertising for 20plus years. the decline in country music sales has not declined due to lack of solos it's simple.the music industry's latest marketing campaign has been the female factor.their reasoning is that 73% of country music sold is purchased by females 13-45. ANYTHING I REPEAT ANYTHING the industry does focuses on that demo. they buy the cd's the shirts they buy it all!!!(how often do you see a "men's night" at your local pub or dance hall) anyway the industry is at the end of this latest "fad" of female singers. it normally happens every five to seven years. Look for country to be on a big up swing in the next two to three years and indications are the male singer will stage a huge comeback.(The women demo has grown tired of the female singing about life love blah blah blah. So look for changes in the air a brewin. not my opinion just the way the industry works and has since the dawn of time.
BUT IT DOES NEED MORE STEEL SOLOS!!!!!!!!!!
HEHEHEHEHEHE

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Steelin' away in the ozarks and life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com

John Steele · From: Renfrew, Ontario, Canada

A good friend who runs a music store made the long trip to the NAMM show, and was telling me about the things he saw.
He said he saw someone in the crowd sporting a Carter Steel Guitar T-shirt... so, Ok, fess up... who was that ?
-John

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www.ottawajazz.com

Jim Palenscar · From: Oceanside, Calif, USA

That could have been Billy Phelps as he was working their booth

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

John Fabian · From: Mesquite, Texas USA * R.I.P.

That was either Billy Phelps or me.

John Fabian
www.steelguitar.com