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Topic: Paul Franklin/Shania Twain's "up" album |
A. B. Traynor
From:
4th Street& Royal ave New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 13 Apr 2004 4:08 pm |
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| Anybody heard the album? Any opinions? I personally love the lush tones and the beautifally intricate harmonies, overdubs etc. not just on the steel but on the background vocals, guitar fills...so on and so forth. I wonder if the geograpic location of where the recording was done had any effect on the overall feel of the album or was it mainly the production staff and the equipment used in the studio? |
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Chris Lasher
From:
Blacksburg, VA
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Posted 13 Apr 2004 5:12 pm
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This is certainly an amazing album. I own it and have listened to both mixes. (There is a "Pop" version and a "Country" version, though I'm sure many here would not agree about the latter being any different from the former.) My hat is definitely off to John "Mutt" Lange for all that extra work.
The pedal steel is definitely what makes the "Country" mix for me. I really enjoy Paul's playing on it. The solo to "She's Not Just a Pretty Face" sticks out. I absolutely love Paul's intro on "Forever and for Always". On the "Pop" version, there's a synthesizer that plays the same melody, so I would be interested to know if Paul laid down the melody first and Mutt transfered that to synth, or if it was already conceived and they just had Paul play it.
"It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing" is such a great name for a song, and I find that the actual song does justice to the title. Paul plays so fluidly, and it is so much enhanced by the panning and effects it is placed in. It has the flash and glitter of pop but there is still a song of substance underneath the makeup, and I think Paul's playing is integral to that.
Hopefully Paul will be able to see this sometime. I have the impression that his playing on these very crossover albums is underrecognized or overlooked. If I'm any indication, it really does have an effect on the younger generations of hopeful pedal steel guitarists who look forward to pushing pedal steel out into other genres, while still maintaining the history and tradition. How Paul goes from George Strait to Jessica Andrews and still manages to bring that same magnificent respectability and musicianship is a mystery to me, but it is such a great inspiration, as well.
Thank you, Paul. |
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Terry Wendt
From:
Nashville, TN, USA
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 14 Apr 2004 12:57 am
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When I had the chance to talk to Paul a few weeks back at the Players show in NVille I talked to him about this album and particularly the "Always and Forever" tune which I commented that the first few times I listened to it I wasn't sure I liked it but after several "Listens" it was brilliant..the weaving of the Steel voiceing and Shania's voice was incredible.Not just the actual singing and playing but the mix and tonal characteristics of Shania's voice and the Steel..
Shania takes alot of heat over here and I for one would say turn that flame down..she has discovered a niche that was untapped..good for her..She could have easily done all these years worth of tunes without a Steel..there are far more artists out there that put the Steel way back in the mix..( or not at all ) and she ain't one of them..most of those tunes/artists don't put much thought into the Steel on the tunes..it appears to me that many of Shania's tunes are recorded and produced with Paul in mind..
good stuff
t |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 14 Apr 2004 5:53 am
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| Sticking a token steel in the mix, however masterfully played, does not make a record "country" IMHO. |
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Greg Derksen
From:
Alberta, Canada
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Posted 14 Apr 2004 7:16 am
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I've got mixed feelings about that CD,
Masterful playing and idea's on some of the
tunes, Paul and Brent did a awesome job,
On the other hand, I personnally find it
so annoying and after a listen or two, completely in a state of fatigue, Its like I just played 3 hours of Hopskotch with my nieces, yelling out cheerleader chants in falseto, Greg
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Ben Slaughter
From:
Madera, California
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Posted 14 Apr 2004 9:12 am
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"3 hours of Hopskotch with my nieces, yelling out cheerleader chants in falseto"
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
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Ben
Zum D10, NV400, POD, G&L Guitars, etc, etc. |
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A. B. Traynor
From:
4th Street& Royal ave New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 14 Apr 2004 12:04 pm
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| I agree with chris. I wonder what sort of processing was done to the steel, as I hear an almost "synthesised" tone (very processed) Beautiful !!! It is amazing how the sound of recordings have changed so much for the better (for the most part) I also hope that Mr Franklin has a chance to see this post and respond. |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 14 Apr 2004 12:51 pm
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| I guess that's why they make 37 flavors. I personally find most modern recordings, including this one, unlistenable due to over processing. The sound is glossy, lacking in warmth and unmusically harsh to my ear. I hear a lot of studio processing gimmickry and very little musical substance. Oh well, you asked! |
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Jeff Bradshaw
From:
Leslieville, Alberta - Canada
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Posted 14 Apr 2004 2:40 pm
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My Daughter bought this album...I "borrowed" the "Country Mix" & I absolutely adore the steel guitar on this record. And like Greg, I also suffer from listener fatigue by the end of the album...it may be that in general, CD albums of today contain too many tunes to hold my rapt attention for the CD's entire length. The steel on this disc is extraordinarily fine work. ...jeff
BTW Greg...Can you whistle the tunes? |
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erik
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Posted 14 Apr 2004 4:17 pm
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| Quote: |
| the weaving of the Steel voiceing and Shania's voice was incredible.Not just the actual singing and playing but the mix and tonal characteristics of Shania's voice and the Steel.. |
I agree wholeheartedly. This is why it irks me so that the only version of Always played on pop stations is with the synth. IT DOESN'T WORK! The timbre of the synth is to round and soft. It does not match Shania's voice. It doesn't have bite. It leaves her too exposed. But, the steel is like an equal. It actually enhances the performance. Why must people object to hearing a steel guitar in a song! |
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Greg Derksen
From:
Alberta, Canada
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Posted 15 Apr 2004 5:46 am
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Jeff, Yep , and after only a few listens,
I almost feel manipulated????????
I have to put in Joni Mitchell or Sting
or something as an antidote after, you know what I mean? Greg |
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Roger Miller
From:
Cedar Falls, Ia.
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Posted 17 Apr 2004 6:22 am
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| Some of you guys need to seek help, hopskotch??? You know steel guitarist depression occurs after listening to Paul Franklin, and Finger picks might be to tight. Relax,deep breath and think about Shania. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 17 Apr 2004 6:58 am
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well I would never tell someone that they are wrong in there opinion, especially on musical tastes and tonality..
I like Vanilla and I'm sure others like Chocolate..
but for sure I can say this..
Listening to some of the "Un-Common" tonal characteristics gives me the desire and interest to experiment with other effects and tonalities when I record my low budget projects at home. Although I don't particularly like everything I hear I do listen to whats going on in "PRO" mixes and have come to the conclusion that not all things should be the same today as yesterday.
I read somewhere on this Forum ( more than once) that folks are tired of the old standby everything is the same Steel playing and productions , when is someone gonna do something a little different ? ..so I guess I say..
Well ?
Remember the definition of insanity may apply here..
"Doing the exact same thing today as you did yesterday and expecting totally different results".
Happy Saturday..
t |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 17 Apr 2004 8:46 am
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Tony, you wrote what I was thinking, but you expressed it better than I could have.
Paul Franklin's ideas always seem fresh and exciting. I don't know from whence he draws this magic each and every time. I'd have to say He is the consumate professional. He has been the inspiration for countless aspiring musicians. I'm sure he would have been a Monster at any instrument, just lucky for us he chose the Steel Guitar. JMHO
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Mike Meese
From:
Dover, Ohio, U S A GO BUCKEYES! (deceased)
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Posted 17 Apr 2004 4:25 pm
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Paul Franklin could probably make a Rosie O'Donnel album sound good.  |
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Theresa Galbraith
From:
Goodlettsville,Tn. USA
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Posted 19 Apr 2004 8:13 am
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Mike,
Good to see ya post! Who is this Rosie chick?
As for the "Up" cd it is just that! 
Theresa |
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Ron Page
From:
Penn Yan, NY USA
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Posted 19 Apr 2004 8:50 am
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Right, Mike. But he couldn't make one sound good enough that I'd buy it. 
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HagFan
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