He is amazing, his pedal work is so fast you can hardly hear it as he makes those runs. But apparently the steels have to be rebuilt after every show. And he's on the horn nearly every day to Jerry Fessenden (or so I was told).

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It would be quite difficult to play straight conventional songs in tunings and setup the Sacred Steelers use

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There's nothing in the Sacred Steel players copedents that would restrict playing 'conventional' steel. I have been playing a modified Sacred Steel tuning for a while, and I don't sacrifice anything in terms of conventional E9th playing. Chuck Campbell plays very convincing E9th on his setup, which was the source of Roberts copedent. I think the reason why you don't hear a lot of traditional playing is that the audience would rather hear them play their own thing (I know I would).

I think there's a difference in skin though.

Joe's is much thicker..

Dan has way more experience with Sacred Steelers than I'll ever have.

My comments are based on Chuck Campbell explaining the tuning is sorta like an autoharp. The pedals are used to get different types of chords, then the licks are played as if on a non-pedal guitar.

Of course, the masters vary this technique, but it is the basic concept.

Joe Wright is one of the best steel players I've ever seen or heard, and I agree that he's the man when it comes to playing the full range from soulful country steel to heavy metal rock steel. However, I don't believe that the soulful country chops are a prerequisite to being a good rock steeler. I don't believe RR has any interest in playing music that is traditionally associated with pedal steel. I think the successful pros here probably appreciate what he's doing and many of the rest of us react with a bit of envy or jealousy.

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HagFan

I agree that RR is blazing his own direction, and that's good for everyone.

If he had chosen to play "A Way to Survive" like Buddy I suspect we would never of heard of him, just like if Hendrix had choosen to play like Chet,or Segovia.

I started using a lot of left thumb blocking & left middle finger with only a bit of the bar un blocked, pickblocking and palm blocking all at once to get it clean.
It is harder than RR makes it seem.
And he is fast and clean.

Last night I found myself playing Jimi Hendrix's Little Wing, without even being told the song title or key before it started.
I listened a second or two hit the nasty tone midi switch and shortly found myself sounding like David Gilmore of Pink Floyd.
I also had never even thought of this song on either neck, ever, a bit disconcerting.

But when it was done the guitarist who had sung the tune turned around and shook my hand... to my great surprise.

I had to improvise with all those blockings and brain on overdrive, but it was the right set of methods for the music.
I really appreciate RR more and more.

The "Word" interview.

Its been a couple years but I think thats the one ...

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I went in to see him warming up & all I heard was Don Rich. I wondered if they had a tele guy, but it was Robert. He can also do OBS as fast & clean as anyone else, w/o effects, etc.

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I say he's made a mark and is drawing interest with the instrument. Go Robert!

As for his supposed lack of 'clean' playing,- there's a cut of him playing some scaringly fast, superCLEAN stuff on Arholie's 'Sacred Steel' DVD. I'd recommend that DVD to anyone interested in finding out more about this tradition. Also featured is an interesting interview with Chuck Campbell where he tells how he got inspired to pick up the pedal steel after being blown away by a player (sorry, don't remember who) at a Nashville Steel Guitar Convention...........

My only 'problem' with RR is his songwriting, but that's another story. IMHO he doesn't have to prove anything to anybody as a player, he's great at what he does and obviously does it out of love for his music and the steel guitar.

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com

Robert is taking steel to another level and we should all appreciate it.
He is talented and helps our small community of steelguitar.
I applaude Robert!

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Robert is taking steel to another level and we should all appreciate it.
He is talented and helps our small community of steelguitar.
I applaude Robert!

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I agree 100%.

I don't remember being 'given' opportunities for any of my endeavors, and especially in Music. I've earned or bought them.

RR HAS earned and/or bought his just like everybody else should from what I understand.

More power to him. Leave us not turn him into something he is not. He's a DAMN good player, and fine young person, Not the "John Henry of the Pedal Steel Guitar" in a battle with the "Redneck Steel Guitar Machine".

HE's maybe the one that should cough up five bucks and type a few words like the rest of us "regular guys". It hasn't hurt Mr's Emmons Franklin, Green (by proxy) or a dozen others.

I get the idea that the people that have "chosen to advocate for him" as a downtrodden, unsung, victim somehow haven't been doing him any favors..

Five Bucks.

That ain't much.

I'd LOVE to ask him a few questions about his technique and/or tuning etc. Maybe even some off topic stuff.

I wouldn't hurt him.

EJL

[This message was edited by Eric West on 08 January 2004 at 07:47 PM.]

His chops may not be on the exalted level of an Emmons or Frankin, and he may not live up some of the nonsense being written about him ("The John Coltrane of the Pedal Steel") but there`s tons to learn from him and all the Sacred Steel guys.

Ernie

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HagFan

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I wonder how his playing would have fit in with Roy Acuff's band? Smokey Mountain Boys.

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Bob