Paul Franklin C6 on new Alan Jackson Album

A. B. Traynor · Posted 7 Sep 2004 6:31 pm

Amazing. The second solo on "Burning the Honky Tonks Down". Listening to it almost makes me dizzy- trying to follow along with his single note runs. It gives me inspiration- the reason being is that Paul definetly works hard at it (playing) and that, in the words of the late Jeff Newman; in regards to any accomplished musician: an angel of God never came down and gave them any special instructions on how to play dazzling and marvelous jazz. I think I would be fairly on target with the statement that most every musician, when first learning any instrument, has players that they look up to, bands that they really love, songs that bring back memories of where they were/ what they were doing at the time. I would be right to assume that Paul Franklin would be no different. Raw talent can only go so far. After that it is a matter of pure hard work. I also think that any musician, when growing up musically, to some extent, copies some of their favorite players licks, and adds some of their own ideas to them. It is with this in mind that I think that stuff like this (Burning.....Down) is bound to inspire legions of players, and gives me the feeling that anything is possible, as Mr. Franklin proves it to be so.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Although I have only met Paul 1 time and seen him play 1 time..I have come to a conclusion..and it was really quite easy.

There is no doubt in my mind that "P" is not just a player with gifted raw talent but he also contains the ability and understanding that new ground must be discovered , no, make that conquered.Although I have never asked him this but I would bet that if I did ask him he would comment that maintaining the edge and seeking new territory is way more work than the sessions.

Year after year manufacturers introduce new items to there offerings, new cars, new TV's, new food..new Potatoe Chips..New everything...

Being a musician/session player in my mind is no different. Can a session player record the same things week after week, month after month, year after year without changing and adding a dimension? I think not..not if they want to maintain steady employment with the nations top sessions.

My guess is that PF and those like him are in the continuous quest of expanding the dimension of there playing..

We, folks like me..are in the continuous quest of learning to play in similar styles and phrasing of Paul, Buddy, Loyd , John H, etc and the rest of our favorite players.

I guess this gets back to the on going discussions of why many road players don't get asked to do many sessions. It does not mean they are not great talented players, what it means to me is that they are not on the same musical "PATH" as a session player like PF...

I look forward to the new AJ CD and I'm sure there will be no disappointments.

t..Still working on HWY40 Blues...I guess I've got a lot of catch up going on here !

John McGann · From: Boston, Massachusetts, USA * R.I.P.

What a treat to hear these guys, especially PF, rip it up on a high profile recording. Those solos are great!!!

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http://www.johnmcgann.com
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John Macy · From: Rockport TX/Denver CO

I just heard it for the first time last night--waaaay cool. Not to mention the solo on Strait's "I Hate Everything" just kills me, too. Always an inspiration to me

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Rick Johnson · From: Wheelwright, Ky USA

Pauls work on this new CD is killer.
He has a great tone and he is
strong in the mix. It amazes me how
players like Paul and Lloyd can play
and not repeat any phrases.
Hats off to AJ for "keeping it country"

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Rick Johnson

Bowie Martin · From: Wilson, NC USA 27896

I was fortunate enough to be in Nashville about two years ago, and Jeff Newman was picking me up at the airport; he had told me they were having a surprise birthday party for Johnny, and would I like to go. Absolutely I said, and we were on our way. He talked about Paul Franklin, and said that he hoped he was around when Paul retired. He wanted to take two years off, and spend time with Paul just to try to find out how he thought about the steel. He always spoke about how he liked many great players, but felt Paul just went about playing differently, and sort of stood alone. I think a lot of us agree. (By the way - there were about 8-10 steel players at the party - Lloyd Green, Tommy White, John Hughey, Hal Rugg, etc. and me (with the little m)....talk about being out of your league...but I have a ball. Still can not beleive Jeff is gone..what a loss.

Jeff Lampert · From: queens, new york city

Ron Page · From: Penn Yan, NY USA

I see what you mean. My daughter delayed my birtday present for a day just to get that new release for me. AJ is still putting out the real stuff, and for me that means PF at his best.

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HagFan

Chris Lasher · From: Blacksburg, VA

I picked up the album last night. It's fantastic.

The musician credits are in the back, rather than song-by-song. Could someone clue me in to which songs Lloyd Green is on and which songs Paul Franklin, Jr. is on? "Too Much of a Good Thing" is Lloyd, obviously, but any others? Maybe "Rainy Day in June"? Sorry, I should know better but, I'm new to listening to this instrument.

Thank goodness for albums like this.

Gary Ulinskas · From: San Diego, California, USA

What exactly is the name of the CD?
I did a Google search of
"Burning The Honky Tonks Down" and the closest thing I got was
Geroge Strait -Burning Another Honky Tonk Down
Saw nothing with Alan Jackson's name on it.

Thanks.

[This message was edited by Gary Ulinskas on 09 September 2004 at 09:10 PM.]

A. B. Traynor · Posted 10 Sep 2004 4:15 am

The title of the album is "What I Do"

Henry · From: Europe

I love to hear PF ,,,,,,,,,,,however i don't know why he is sóóó GREAT ,,,,,, to compare it with Buddy E , Jimmy Day or Buddy Charleton,,,,,,?????
I do NOT hear ,,,what is speciall
instead of,,, the other GREATS
for me he is one of the others,,,,a GOOD steelplayer NOT MORE NOT LESS
Henry

[This message was edited by Henry on 10 September 2004 at 12:24 PM.]

Henry · From: Europe

sorry

[This message was edited by Henry on 10 September 2004 at 12:25 PM.]

David Spires · From: Millersport, OH

Henry,

Are you saying that - Paul Franklin - is not one of the greats, and merely good?

I'm almost speechless...

In my opinion, Paul Franklin is the greatest of my time (I am 33 years old). His success over the past 15-20 years is unparalled. He has dominated the industry in the way that Emmons, Lloyd Green, and a few others did. To be fair, there are many "greats" of the instrument - with many styles, giving each of us our particular favorite.

To say that Mr. Franklin isn't a "great" such as Mr. Emmons - you show utter ignorance of the instrument.

Unbelieveable,

David Spires

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Steel Guitarist for Jo Dee Messina: Carter D-10 8&7 / MSA Classic D-10 8&5; Line 6 Pod XT; Jagwire Artist Series Strings; Walker Professional Players' Chair; Peterson VS-II Tuner; and Goodrich Matchbro & LDR Pedal

Henry · From: Europe

DAVID,
""For me he is one of the others,,,,""
(TOP-steelers)
IMHO not on the same level,,,,,,,,as BE,JD,BC,CC,,,,,but thats my IDEA
H

[This message was edited by Henry on 10 September 2004 at 12:36 PM.]

Kevin Mincke · From: Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA

YEP! Couldn't agree more!!
To the original post that is

[This message was edited by Kevin Mincke on 13 September 2004 at 11:45 AM.]

Jeff Lampert · From: queens, new york city

.

[This message was edited by Jeff Lampert on 10 September 2004 at 01:55 PM.]

John Macy · From: Rockport TX/Denver CO

I'm with David on this one--I put Paul right with all the greatest, as well as being my greatest inspiration personally, both as a player and as a human being

.

Chris Lasher · From: Blacksburg, VA

We can sit here and flap our jaws all we want about who's a great pedal steel player and who's not, and not get anywhere.

Now, if we want to look at what's significant, we won't have to look far or focus hard. Like it or not, the influence of Paul Franklin on the newer generations of pedal steel players is overwhelming. I think it's terrific a terrific thing, but I'm partial.

I was listening to Paul's licks at age 10. I hadn't a clue who Paul Franklin, Jr. was, but I heard his playing on everything Mom listened to. It took another decade before I really started paying attention to the instrument and found out who was behind it on all those hits I heard growing up. Now I'm here with a pedal steel of my own, trying to capture those same sounds. That's a hell of an influence, right there, to get some kid who's never even met you to pick up an instrument because that's how much he loved what you played!

Even though I wasn't actively listening to the steel as a kid, I'm sure what I was hearing still sank in, subconcsiously. The way Paul Franklin approaches the pedal steel has been ingrained in me as THE way I want to approach the pedal steel. As I grow up and actually get decent at playing the isntrument, I'll hopefully find MY way to approach it, but for now, I'd be ecstatic if I could emulate just a few of those PF-patented phrasings. Buddy, Bud, Lloyd, Jimmy, they're all great, and I appreciate their playing more and more. There's just a lot more influence coming from Paul.

I have a feeling that if you just replaced Paul Franklin in the above with Buddy Emmons /Lloyd Green/etc. you'd end up with those on the side of the fence who think that Paul Franklin's playing is respectable but nothin' special. Buddy/Bud/Lloyd/Jimmy/etc. is THE way to approach the instrument. The stuff that's on the radio nowadays, well, it's nothing special, and they don't see what all the brouhaha is about.

It's like the guys who think Eddie Van Halen or Joe Satriani were the greatest guitarists to come about; their guitar-playing dads probably think that's a bunch of hootenany, because, to them, Eric Clapton or Jimi Hendrix or Jimmy Page were the best. I'm sure the EVH kid will say "Oh yeah, Clapton's great! It's just that Eddie just does it for me."

Oh yeah, BE, JD, BC, CC LG are great! It's just that PF does it for me.

Chris

P.S. Someone, anyone, have an answer to who played on what? I'm feeling Lloyd on the first two tracks of Who I Am and the rest is Paul.

[This message was edited by Chris Lasher on 10 September 2004 at 04:23 PM.]

Hook Moore · From: South Charleston,West Virginia

David, WELL SAID..
Hook

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HookMoore.com
Allen Moore

Bobby Boggs · From: Upstate SC.

I love Buddy Emmons as much as anyone except maybe Carl Dixon.

But to say Paul Franklin is just another good steeler and not one of the greatest of all time is a gross understatement.Maybe you've never heard his later solo projects.Maybe you've never heard him in a 2 day jam.Example Jeff's Newmans June jams.That's where you really get and idea of just how good Paul is.I've heard him play for 2 days and never play the same lick twice.Paul Franklin not one of the greatest?I can't believe I just read this.Maybe you just don't get him?Or maybe you've,, OH Never mind.If you don't get it.I can't explain it.Regards..bb

Gary Lee Gimble · From: Fredericksburg, VA.

A degree of greatness at the Olympics is clearly defined by an established point system, hopefully rendered honestly by a panel of judges. There is a basis of structure, determining greatness. Since there is no gauge of measuring a steel guitarist greatness other than one's opinion, why bother getting on the offensive. I like them all, they're all the greatest but if someone says %&#$@ is less than great one more time, I'm gonna complain. Maybe greatness can be established by proceeds earned, net worth, records sold? I bet all the great ones are amused or experiencing insomnia over this, maybe a severe blockage?

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Yikes.."good"?? . Paul Franklin is ARGUABLY the greatest steel guitarist of all time. By arguably I mean that maybe a small handful of players have achieved his level of technical ability,feeling,"soul" tone,phrasing,all that good stuff... Within that tiny club of steel players we consider the greatest of the greats,NO steel player has earned as much respect not only among his steel playing brethren, but among all the musicians,singers,producers etc,in Nashville and around the world. If he's not the best steel guitarist of all time I can't think of the player who is. His playing ability is beyond "good". Many of us here on this forum are "good"...PF is several levels up from "good' bob

[This message was edited by Bob Carlucci on 11 September 2004 at 08:41 AM.]

[This message was edited by Bob Carlucci on 11 September 2004 at 08:42 AM.]

Darrell Klein · From: Spokane, Washington, USA

Paul Franklin, truly is a great gifted steel
player. I like to include Doug Jernigan in
this reply along with Buddy E. etc.
Regards. Darrell

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

"We can sit here and flap our jaws all we want about who's a great pedal steel player and who's not, and not get anywhere."

I agree. Of course, people are going to differ in their views. I know jazz guitarists who worship Tal Farlow, but are totally nonplussed by the fascination with Danny Gatton. Or sax players who are devoted to Coleman Hawkins, but think Bird had lousy tone and played without feeling. And vice versa. No point in taking it personally. For me, music is about emotional response, so I do expect people to react emotionally.

However, sometimes I don't understand the need to gratuitously deflate others' views on their favorite player, steel, amp, whatever. I think there's a difference between openly discussing differences - in a thread intended for that - versus jumping into a thread, where people are discussing some aspect of their favorite player, with the sole purpose to deflate their view of that player without provocation.

To me, the very fact that people have such strong opinions either way about Paul Franklin's "greatness" is a good indicator of what a truly important steel player he is. Paul has an approach to playing that is truly his. Ultra-clean phrasing, impeccable tone, good taste, versatility, the ability to unerringly play the right note at the right time, and let's face it, chops to burn. The stuff that all the "greats" have. That's just my opinion, your mileage may vary.

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