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Topic: Robert Randolph on Letterman - August 5 |
Greg Simmons
From:
where the buffalo (used to) roam AND the Mojave
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Posted 4 Aug 2003 11:23 am |
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Subject says it all - pedal steel featured on national network TV with Robert Randolph and the Family Band on the Late Show w/David Letterman Tuesday August 5
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Greg Simmons
Custodian of the Official Sho~Bud Pedal Steel Guitar Website
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Theresa Galbraith
From:
Goodlettsville,Tn. USA
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Posted 4 Aug 2003 12:00 pm
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| Great! |
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Rich Weiss
From:
Woodland Hills, CA, USA
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Posted 4 Aug 2003 3:21 pm
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| I don't know if anybody pointed this out yet, but I was watching the W.C. Handy awards last week on TV, and Robert won the award for best new artist! So there it is, he's officially a blues guy, playing a pedal steel. |
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Donna Dodd
From:
Acworth, Georgia, USA
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Posted 4 Aug 2003 4:21 pm
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Being the wife of a steeler, I of course hear a good bit about
Who’s big
Who’s little
Who’s ok
Who’s incredible
Who’s in
Who’s out
Who’s a legend
You get the picture, I know. So here’s the big question? What is it about Robert Randolph that so many steelers DON’T like? I bought his CD, The Word – and it is awesome. Tommy and I could watch him play for days without even taking a food break. His spirit is infectious. Kind of the same feeling when I hear Aaron Neville singing The Lord’s Prayer.
I know much of it is so personal, but I’ve heard many musicians say they don’t like him. Just wondering why?
Donna Dodd
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 4 Aug 2003 4:30 pm
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because he doesn't sound like Lloyd Green
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 4 Aug 2003 4:30 pm
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Hey, Donna!
First of all, Tommy's a good dude-no qoestion.
And I have no idea why folks want to dog Robert Randolph. I don't know if he plays any 4/4 shuffles, or chordy C6 stuff, but after seeing him in Greenville a while back,
I was impressed, no end. I left early, my ears were sore, but he DEFINITELY had the place rockin'!
I don't want to listen to him all the time, but I don't want to listen to ANY music ALL the time. |
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Tim Harr
From:
Dunlap, Illinois
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Posted 4 Aug 2003 4:48 pm
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Most don't approve because he doesn't play shuffles and songs that were popular 50 yrs ago....like I do
He is a Pedal Steel Player....he can play the pedal steel...check it out and try to keep an open mind. He plays really well....
TH |
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Garry Vanderlinde
From:
CA
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Posted 4 Aug 2003 5:56 pm
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Hey,
Thanks for the "Heads Up", it's appreciated!
I think we all should give it a look. |
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Pete Finney
From:
Nashville Tn.
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Posted 4 Aug 2003 9:42 pm
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"because he doesn't sound like Lloyd Green"
And I do believe Lloyd himself would say that's a good thing... spoken as one who's spent many years trying unsuccesfully to sound like Lloyd Green and Buddy and many of the other usual suspects! I think Robert is great: he's different, he has his own "sacred steel" tradition that he's adding his own thing to, he's soulful, and he has a huge, largely young audience that can only be good for the instrument. Most importantly, I think he's only started to reach his full potential, and there's no telling what he might be able to achieve...
Just my humble opinion, and there's no reason why other steel players need to LIKE his playing... but I think the ferocity and extreme negativity of some of the comments here and elsewhere is a poor reflection on those who have made them. I love the classic steel styles as much as anyone and have made a living for almost 30 years trying to carry them on in my own humble way, but... not only is there room for different approaches, there is a NEED for them if the instrument is to be a living breathing thing and not become just a museum piece.
So let's hear it for Robert's popularity, AND Lloyd Green's recent (and welcome!) resurgence.. they should both be good news to anyone who truly loves the instrument...
I'm climbing off of my soapbox now!
Pete[This message was edited by Pete Finney on 04 August 2003 at 10:44 PM.] |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 12:19 am
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| I think a lot of what people don't like has to do with the surrounding music - he plays a lot of three chord boogies with some not so hot backing, and it gets too repetitive. I bought "The Word" and find it hard to listen to because of the production and tonal quality. The liner notes make much ado about it having been recorded in only three days, but I wish they'd spent longer on the arranging and sound, in particular the rhythm guitar tone is obnoxious, too loud and distorted. I wish Robert Randolph would join a better band or find a better producer to surround him with a better sound - he's definately got a great album in him somewhere, it just hasn't happened yet. |
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Doug Garrick
From:
Grand Junction, CO
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 6:05 am
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| I seen a RR video on VH1 this morning (2:30 MST). It looked like he was playing a red GFI. |
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JB Arnold
From:
Longmont,Co,USA (deceased)
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 6:46 am
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This is, of course, what's killing steel guitar. The rough arrangements are part of the style. But because he doesn't sound like everyone else-and God Forbid is actually having some Commercial success (No one but Emmons is allowed to have commercial success) it's time to kill him quick. he may become a star, and we can't have that. I mean, everyone knows, if you're selling a lot of records, you can't possibly be any good. Never occurs to any of these folks that those shuffles have a limited audience no matter HOW well they're played. How DARE he be successful! He's not Emmons-who said he could go around getting airplay and selling a bunch of records?
It's the Garcia thing all over again. If the instrument is going to survive it needs to attract young players. And when it does that, the old traditional styles are going to go out the window. Ya got to play what people want to hear-and the majority do NOT want to hear old time country. Just a fact-I like it myself. But this out of hand rejection of all things "Not Country" is going to kill the instrument. Good thing no one's listening! 
JB
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Fulawka D-10 9&5
Fessenden D-10 8&8
"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel
www.buddycage.net
http://www.nrpsmusic.com/index.html
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 6:58 am
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Robert's Steel Tech is a good pal of mine. He told me they've just gotten back from Europe where crowds were incredibly receptive- Robert's turning out to be a real ambassador for steel. The new Warner Bros. CD will be coming out today as well (hence the Letterman appearence!)
I have gotten the impression that a lot of folks would prefer a "new steel phenomenon" to be playing in the style of the classic greats, that perhaps the popularity of a rock style player somehow denigrates the long tradition of clean "Nashville" stylings. I just don't get how anybody wouldn't see that the kind of attention Robert generates for Steel is great for all styles of steel and players. Think of all the folks who got turned onto steel through Garcia, Cage, and the (at the time much-reviled) country-rock scene, and went on to delve into steel history, styles, and players. Robert's going to bring a whole lot of new folks into the fold! And if it helps, his steel tech is a white fella named Bubba... really...
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C'mon by and visit!- www.markvanallen.com
My Bands: Sugarland Kate and the Retreads Kecia Garland Band Shane Bridges Band Dell Conner Blues Band
[This message was edited by Mark van Allen on 05 August 2003 at 07:59 AM.] |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 7:07 am
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| Hey, JB, Simultaneous posts from two similar mindsets...I do think the folks who fear popularity of a player/style outside of their worldview are missing the larger picture... Robert's going to attract the notice of many thousands of fans, and many hundreds of those will be curious enough to find out more about other players, styles, and recordings, who knows how many new players will start picking and where they'll end up. It's great for steel anyway you cut it! And not to mention Robert's playing is vital, unique, original, exciting, and powerful. What's not to like? |
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Greg Simmons
From:
where the buffalo (used to) roam AND the Mojave
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 8:29 am
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Great thoughts JB and MVA!
On a related note: Thursday nite I’m going to our Edmonton Folk Music Festival (very highly thought of by many musicians worldwide BTW) where Daniel Lanois is one of artists featured on the opening night’s lineup. After he does a few songs on his Les Paul; he’ll more than likely sit down behind his Sho-Bud LDG (oh my, without fingerpicks and with some deviations from the standard E9 copedant) and play a song like “JJ leaves LA”, a solo pedal steel instrumental that you can hear on his new album “Shine.
The several thousand people present on the hill overlooking our beautiful river valley may well erupt in applause as Daniel finishes his performance, but I’ll endeavour to do my utmost to explain to as many people around me as possible that the hauntingly beautiful sounds he’d just created are an example of incorrect technique, tuning and style etc. 
All joking aside, whether some folks like it or not, people like Robert Randolph and Daniel Lanois are indeed playing a major part in giving the pedal steel “A Way to Survive” 
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Greg Simmons
Custodian of the Official Sho~Bud Pedal Steel Guitar Website
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Pete Finney
From:
Nashville Tn.
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 8:35 am
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| J.B., though we obviously basically agree, I wouldn't say that old styles have to or will go "out the window" when younger players come in with new styles. When Jimi Hendrix came along he brought something new to the table but even if he got the spotlight and attention, it didn't slow down the careers or the playing of (just for three examples from different fields): B.B. King, Kenny Burrell, or George Harrison. If a thousand kids were to buy steels and try to play like Robert it might change the image of the steel for a lot of people but it wouldn't keep any of those who prefer from playing and listening to the older styles. It's a big, ever expanding world! |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 9:23 am
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From the positive comments here, I suspect that those who detest any new styles are a minority.
The fact that they are a very vocal minority make them appear to be a much larger group.
If RR played like LG we would have never heard of him. We have LG. |
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Eric Myers
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 9:28 am
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| Everytime we are in a cd store we look for his cds and cant find em - ! |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 10:31 am
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| I just listened to some audio clips from an e-mail I got from the Robert Randolph newsletter, and it sounds to me like the new one is a winner - much tighter and structured than his jam-band efforts. I'll have to pick this one up - I wonder if b0b will carry it? |
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Donna Dodd
From:
Acworth, Georgia, USA
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 1:06 pm
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He's expected to do "I Need More Love" (I think that's the title) tonight. Have a listen at his website: www.robertrandolph.net
GREAT PIECE!! |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 1:46 pm
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I stayed up to see him last year on Letterman ... I didn't fall alseep till 4 am that night 
You can bet I'll be glued to the "tube" tonite
Thanks for the "heads up" ...
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www.horseshoemagnets.com |
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Travis Bernhardt
From:
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 4:49 pm
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I used to hate the sound of pedal steel. Too harsh and whiny, and it all sounded the same to me. It wasn't until I heard that clip of Robert Randolph on the NPR website that I realized that the pedal steel had sonic possibilities outside of the whiny country that I hated.
Then I saw saw my first live pedal steel at a show in Vancouver and knew I had to have one. It was a local guy--Charlie Hase--who plays in anything but a traditional country style.
So I finally got a pedal steel, and started to learn to play. Now maybe it was because almost all the instructional material is country or swing, but I started to get into those country and swing sounds in a big way. Now I'm hooked. I actually like that "whiny" country tone I used to hate (although I must say, I haven't come around on the vocals or the actual songs yet, give me time--or instrumentals...). I am also really getting into the C6 side of things--at a recent show (Bebop Cowboys) the steel player played "Almost to Tulsa" and I just about died.
I still want to be able to play those heavy rock licks a la RR, but that can wait. With the whole history of the instrument to explore, I'm in no hurry.
So I wouldn't worry about RR destroying people's love for country or swing or classic clean pedal steel playing (which I now appreciate tremendously). In my case his music was an entry point, not an ending.
-Travis |
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Jeff A. Smith
From:
Angola,Ind. U.S.A.
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 6:21 pm
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Putting aside the fact that he's dramatically altering the way people perceive steel guitar, there's kind of a pleasant irony, at least to me. If he's challenging traditionalist pedal steel sensibilities on the one hand, he's actually (IMO) sort of a traditionalist musically, such that someone 46 years old (me) can relate very easily to what he's playing. Maybe I'm not aware of everything that's going on in the world of music, but it seems like RR is reviving musical forms that were given up for awhile -- positive, uplifting things that I used to really enjoy, like "funk."
It's a great contrast to the new rock I hear on the radio most of the time. I like a certain percentage of that, but the whole effect is so dark, gloomy, and dissonant. There seems to even be a new stock persona for DJ's: callous, in-your-face, and lewd. I can only take so much of that. It's beyond me how people could actually prefer listening to someone like that.
Likewise, I've never been much interested in rap.
I briefly checked out a couple of clips on the RR website. One has some great riffing on it, altering between major and minor tonalities in the tradition of the most melodic blues players. Very tasteful. |
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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