|
 The Steel Guitar Forum
 Steel Players
 Robert Randolph on Letterman (Page 1)
|
| This topic is 5 pages long: 1 2 3 4 5 |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: Robert Randolph on Letterman |
|
David Doggett Member From: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
posted 13 December 2006 10:31 PM
profile
I think he's getting more interesting. He played some pretty good rock-blues licks that weren't too wild, but that fit the song musically pretty well. His singing was the best yet, and also really worked with the song musically. Most interesting is that his playing, his singing, and the whole group's playing and singing were less traditional gospel Sacred Steel, and more modern mainstream R&B/hip-hop style. The great thing about that is that it takes his hot pedal steel style out of the novelty Sacred Steel category and really puts it into mainstream urban pop. This can only be good for the survival and resurgence of steel guitar. There a tons more young guns out there playing urban pop than Sacred Steel. This new direction of RR makes steel seem like more of a viable instrument for their music, which is the biggest selling stuff out there. He has modernized it for them. His lyrics are still spiritual, so he still maintains his gospel integrity. But with this style the lyrics could now just as well be secular and about anything. Not that I would like to see gangsta rap with RR style pedal steel, but I think it is interesting to see him adapt steel to modern urban pop. From there, the sky's the limit.  Oh, yeah, I also caught the last half of Twisted Sister's rendition of O Come All Ye Faithful over on Leno. Um...ah...no comment...I guess. [This message was edited by David Doggett on 13 December 2006 at 10:35 PM.] |
|
David L. Donald Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand |
posted 14 December 2006 03:55 AM
profile
Hear, hear! |
|
Tim Bridges Member From: Hoover, Alabama, USA |
posted 14 December 2006 05:33 AM
profile
How long will it take for someone to slam this thread? I agree with you about opening new doors and having a different style that IS working. I saw him and his band this past summer. Really enjoyed the show! How long will it take for a slam? Within the next 5 posts I bet. I hope I'm wrong! |
|
Jay Ganz Member From: Out Behind The Barn |
posted 14 December 2006 07:19 AM
profile
Sure was a great plug for Fessenden! His overdrive tone sounds alot better than when I saw the band live a few years ago. Back then he wasn't doing any vocals though, so you got to hear him play more. If anyone missed it last night & wants to see it...let me know. |
|
Earnest Bovine Member From: Los Angeles CA USA |
posted 14 December 2006 08:43 AM
profile
Was he working a wah pedal, or was that an envelope follower or similar effect? |
|
John LeMaster Member From: St. Johns County, FL |
posted 14 December 2006 10:57 AM
profile
Isn't it great to see a steel guitarist so dynamic in his performance? The Family Band was "tight", and they all seemed to be enjoying the gig, too. Joe Wright and C.J. (Chad) Udeen come to mind as dynamic, exciting stage performers who also happen to be super steel players. I tend to fall into the category of "Do we need to put a mirror up to his mouth to see if he is still breathing?" John L. |
|
Craig Stock Member From: Westfield, NJ USA |
posted 14 December 2006 11:05 AM
profile
Did anyone see Robert and his band a few weeks ago playing during a few breaks on TV during the USC /Notre Dame football game? Real nice close-ups of him playing. He had a new guitar and I couldn't make out the brand, don't think is was a Fessy though, maybe I'm wrong. Real good exposure though for Robert and the PSG. ------------------ |
|
Jeff Lampert Member From: queens, new york city |
posted 14 December 2006 11:15 AM
profile
I wish there were a dozen RR's. Mainstrem exposure is such a big plus for the instrument. ------------------ |
|
Ted Solesky Member From: Mineral Wells, Texas, USA |
posted 14 December 2006 11:18 AM
profile
Dave, I agree with you. I hope this exposure gets the kids interested in steel. |
|
Kyle Everson Member From: Nashville, Tennessee |
posted 14 December 2006 11:33 AM
profile
Craig, I saw Robert on ABC earlier in the football season and he was playing a red 13-string Jackson. ------------------ |
|
Charles Davidson Member From: Alabama, USA |
posted 14 December 2006 11:36 AM
profile
You won't hear me slam Robert,I was hooked when I heard his first[and IMO his best]cd The Word.NO he does NOT sound like Buddy,Lloyd,and IMO the greatest that ever lived Curly,so what?Would'nt it be boring if they all sounded the same.I have made this comment before,Show me just ONE artist or group that puts the steel front and center,right in your FACE,ALL NIGHT LONG,and also introduced the steel to thousands of people that had no clue what a steel was until they saw him. Bama Charlie. |
|
Jay Ganz Member From: Out Behind The Barn |
posted 14 December 2006 01:48 PM
profile
Had some emails from guys wanting to see Robert on the show from last night. Check back on this topic tomorrow. I should have it uploaded by then. |
|
Ron Sodos Member From: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA |
posted 14 December 2006 02:37 PM
profile
You wanted a slam well here goes. Personally i love RR and the Family Band. I played and loved soul and R&B long before RR. What bothers me is the idea that we need the steel guitar to be saved by these guys. As if without him and guys playing funk on steel it will disappear. POPPYCOCK!! |
|
CHIP FOSSA Member From: Monson, MA 01057 U.S.A. |
posted 14 December 2006 03:10 PM
profile
Right-on Ron. What's all this worry over whether or not the steel guitar is DOOMED? C'mon! When I first got a steel at 28 yrs old - 30 or so years ago, the population of the world was not as intrusive or scary as it is now. It's a BIG, BIG, BIGGER world now...I'll bet there are thousands of players who are out there who we haven't heard of and don't care to join this forum; but are plugging right along. Personally [IMHO], I dig the idea that the steel guitar still remains a "mysterious instrument". Life, for COL, is mysterious enuff! Why does "MAN" always feel compelled to figure everything out. The most insane endeavour I believe, was the race to the south pole. HUH? Wasn't it hard enuff just to muster the energy and resources Sorry - probably got off track here. |
|
James Morehead Member From: Durant, Oklahoma, USA |
posted 14 December 2006 03:17 PM
profile
Ron, I beleive the direction RR is going is good---different, but good. Nobody said RR was needed to "save" steel guitar. It's just cool to see steel guitar ALSO in a different direction, which also helps raise the popularity of this instrument. GO ROBERT, and anyone else who plays steel guitar in any other style music they like, as well as common traditional styles of music! So, Ron, I don't think your comment was really a slam, now was it? So are we still "legal", Tim???  |
|
Randy Beavers Member From: Lebanon,TN 37090 |
posted 14 December 2006 03:27 PM
profile
My only complaint is they didn't have the steel LOUD ENOUGH! |
|
Curt Langston Member From: ***In the shadows of Tulsa at Bixby, USA*** |
posted 14 December 2006 03:29 PM
profile
quote: Well, I'll say it! RR is much needed to save this instrument! I too, wish there was a dozen just like him! |
|
James Morehead Member From: Durant, Oklahoma, USA |
posted 14 December 2006 03:53 PM
profile
Whatever.  |
|
Craig Stock Member From: Westfield, NJ USA |
posted 14 December 2006 07:14 PM
profile
Thanks Kyle, That name (Jackson)looks right, I've never heard of that brand before. You could see it very quickly and just couldn't make it out. I got Roberts new CD and it is good, but I still can't figure out the ill will some people have against him. I think he is a good guy and is just expressing himself with a steel guitar, kind of like George Benson who wished he was a singer, but happened to be a better guitar player. Give Robert a break, it's Christmas!!
------------------ |
|
Al Marcus Member From: Cedar Springs,MI USA |
posted 14 December 2006 07:20 PM
profile
Jay-I would like to have seen RR . Why don't somebody tell us a day or two ahead of time when a Steel player will be on David or Leno's show? I like to see him showing off that steel to thousands of young people. It can only promote steel guitar in the long run...al ------------------ |
|
Mike Winter Member From: Oregon City, Oregon, USA |
posted 14 December 2006 07:31 PM
profile
Not a slam...just an observation. I think it's funny that the Forum members who continually slam either new country or country music that leans more towards rock...country rock, music that "just ain't country", etc., praise RR because the steel is up front, when the music/beat is the pretty much the same...and he doesn't dress up, either. More power to anyone who can bring visibility of the instrument to a new, younger audience. Of course, that's what Jerry did with "Teach Your Children," and he gets crucified just like RR does. Go figure. |
|
Billy Joe Bailey Member From: Jackson, Mississippi, USA |
posted 14 December 2006 07:53 PM
profile
this is what I think about it everytime I read on the forum about RR and it's made mention of his sacred steel?????? Ive heard the music he's played and how he's performed .ai'nt nothing sacred about it. An he can't ride on his past history of growing up in a Black Penecostal Church. But what would be great, now that he has become famous, is for our Lord to knock him of his high horse like he did Paul in the Bible,that was on the road to Damacas to kill christians. then call Mr Robert Randolph in to the ministry. Then Robert could take his Sacred Steel guitar and sure enough return to his roots and spread the Sacred Gospel on his Sacred Steel in the House of God. But Im afraid Robert has sold him self to play in the house of the riseing sun Now I did'nt slam dunk R and R did I --- BJ [This message was edited by Billy Joe Bailey on 14 December 2006 at 08:40 PM.] [This message was edited by Billy Joe Bailey on 14 December 2006 at 09:37 PM.] |
|
Andy Sandoval Member From: Bakersfield, California, USA |
posted 14 December 2006 08:38 PM
profile
I thought they sounded great and it was nice to see a steel up front as the main focus although I wish the volume on the steel would've been a little higher. |
|
David L. Donald Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand |
posted 15 December 2006 02:16 AM
profile
Steel guitar is not doomed. But it has been decidedly under exposed in main stream music in the last X# of years. Partly because traditional country where it was most at home, So ANY player that can give world wide exposure to it If 250 young guys pick up the steel because of him, Young players will eventually look into I like RR, and even if I didn't |
|
Bo Borland Member From: Cowtown NJ |
posted 15 December 2006 05:00 AM
profile
I thought the performance was very good. EB..I did not see any wah pedal so it was probably an envelope filter. Last night we had a great blues jam in Wilmington with David Bromberg. We had bass, drums, keys, 2 guitars, sax & trombone, and steel, a very hot young gospel/soul singer came up to sing Stormy Monday and offered loads of compliments about the band in general and the pedal steel specifically. She knew exactly what it was, which is a very good thing. Thanks to RR. I dig what he is doing. |
|
Nathan Delacretaz Member From: Austin, Texas, USA |
posted 15 December 2006 06:00 AM
profile
Praising/welcoming increased exposure DOES NOT EQUAL "steel is doomed without RR." Can I get an amen? |
|
Archie Nicol Member From: Ayrshire, Scotland |
posted 15 December 2006 06:49 AM
profile
Here's a clip from a previous Letterman with Robert on a red Sierra: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4zpzEIdoPc Looks like he's scared of mice?..........or effects pedals! [This message was edited by Archie Nicol on 15 December 2006 at 07:00 AM.] |
|
Bill Hatcher Member From: Atlanta Ga. USA |
posted 15 December 2006 06:56 AM
profile
Any instrument that remains unexposed in any main stream genre is doomed in that genre. Will remain an oddity at best. |
|
David Doggett Member From: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
posted 15 December 2006 08:04 AM
profile
quote:Maybe "survival" was the wrong word for me to use in my initial post. I can see why Ron and others might object to the implication steel is doomed without help from outside country music. I didn't consciously mean to imply that when I wrote it. But now that Ron has made me think about it, I don't think the idea is complete "poppycock." Many of us think pedal steel deserves more than being pigeon-holed and stereotyped as a country music instrument. And even in modern country, where once steel was a major part of the sound of most country recordings, it is now mostly being relegated far down in the background mix, if it is present at all. I don't think steel's doom in country music is a foregone conclusion at this point, but it definitely seems to have a diminished presence. On the other hand, the manufacturers don't seem to be selling any fewer steels; but of course it is still a very tiny market compared to other instruments. My main point was not to forecast the doom of steel without outside help, but to be happy RR is prooving the viability of steel as a crowd pleaser in popular music far from its traditional home in country music. |
|
Jay Ganz Member From: Out Behind The Barn |
posted 15 December 2006 08:06 AM
profile
Check it out below: |
|
Chris LeDrew Member From: Newfoundland, Canada |
posted 15 December 2006 08:26 AM
profile
That's some funky stuff! Great band, great tune........must be a blast to see live. The Fessenden was a bit fuzzed out and consequentially a little buried - but you could hear it enough for it to matter. There's a lot more to RR than his steel playing. He's a showman, and that's why he's getting packed houses. |
|
Dave Mudgett Member From: Central Pennsylvania, USA |
posted 15 December 2006 08:34 AM
profile
Definitely no slam here. I liked what I heard. I hear a lot of Jimi's and SRV's influences here, with a strong gospel-R&B slant. It sounds more like the Staples Singers than hip hop, to me. "Ain't nothin wrong with that." I don't thinks the steel guitar needs this to survive, but I'm glad this is happening. |
|
Fred Shannon Member From: Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas |
posted 15 December 2006 08:35 AM
profile
Well the guitar is pretty far down in the mixes above. Here is perhaps a good example of what Robert is really capable of without the overriding rhythm section. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsggSFk79YM&mode=related&search= You either like it or not. Phred |
|
Rick Collins Member From: Claremont , CA USA |
posted 15 December 2006 08:47 AM
profile
...music or hysteria? ...just seeking information. |
|
Ted Solesky Member From: Mineral Wells, Texas, USA |
posted 15 December 2006 08:50 AM
profile
Randy, my same thoughts. He should have been more in your face. Ron and Chip, the point is, if you go into any city in the US, you will find a kid playin guitar or piano, almost on every block. How many steel pickers are there on any given block? I live in a small town and I know there's 2 kids playin guitar on my block and around the corner, I heard a garage band - no steel. When the one geetar pickin kid was knockin on my door to sell some candy goods for his school, he commented that he heard that I play guitar. I brought him into the house and played Sleep Walk and then I turned on the fuzz effect and popped off some wild licks and his eyes lit up. I don't really care to play the RR material, but, if the kids pick up steel for that reason, the steel manufactures are happy for the sale = income. |
|
Alvin Blaine Member From: Sandy Valley, Nevada, USA |
posted 15 December 2006 09:00 AM
profile
Thanks for posting that Jay. I loved it, and his tone is better than other times I've seen him on TV shows. It looks like they added a backup singer and changed guitar players since the last time I saw them. |
|
Billy Joe Bailey Member From: Jackson, Mississippi, USA |
posted 15 December 2006 09:13 AM
profile
I just wish that somehow the names gospel and sacred were not taged on to his playing,for I feel they surely have no place being there |
|
Chris LeDrew Member From: Newfoundland, Canada |
posted 15 December 2006 09:41 AM
profile
Billy, if you watch the DVD "Sacred Steel" you would definitely see the connection. The performances at the chuch services are full of the same energetic, expressive playing that RR exhibits in his live show. He was brought up in the sacred steel tradition, and he is featured in this DVD as a teenager. I'm certainly not qualified to debate what is and what is not "sacred", but in my opinion RR's show is not anti-religious by any means. I think a viewing of "Sacred Steel" would at least give you an idea of where RR's influences originate. The church services shown in this DVD are certainly not the somber, downcast, guilt-ridden services my parents made me attend as a Roman Catholic. The Sacred Steel services are a celebration, and the music, very similar to what RR is doing on Letterman, is a big part of that celebration. |
|
David L. Donald Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand |
posted 15 December 2006 09:51 AM
profile
Thanks for posting that vid, really fun! |
|
Scott Swartz Member From: St. Louis, MO |
posted 15 December 2006 09:53 AM
profile
Earnest, Its a wah pedal, he uses that and a volume pedal. I saw him in St. Louis last month and was very close. He used the wah pedal a lot, kept his foot on it most of the time instead of the volume pedal. He didn't use the volume much, very little in the way of swells like most steelers, he did some rapid rocking to get a tremolo effect [This message was edited by Scott Swartz on 15 December 2006 at 09:55 AM.] |
This topic is 5 pages long: 1 2 3 4 5 All times are Pacific (US) | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
 |
|
Contact Us | The Pedal Steel Pages
Note: Messages not explicitly copyrighted are in the Public Domain.
Powered by Infopop www.infopop.com © 2000
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46