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Author
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Topic: Jerry Byrd
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Buck Dilly
Member From: Branchville, NJ, USA
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posted 30 May 2006 11:27 AM
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I just picked up my first Jerry Byrd CD "Byrd of Paradise". Admittedly the playing is beautiful, accurate, and outstanding. But this is so hokey I can hardly stand it. The vocals are just too Ray Conniff for me. Are there other Byrd CD's that I can try that are less syrupy? Please don't misunderstand me; I believe that he is one of the greats, it is just the production I find objectionable. |
Bill Hatcher
Member From: Atlanta Ga. USA
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posted 30 May 2006 11:57 AM
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Try listening to the project for what it is and not for what you want it to be. At the time it was recorded, there was a huge audience of listeners that were acclimated to instrumental music with vocals of the 40s and 50s. These people appreciated simple production and nice vocal backing. Byrd was not recording a record for steel guitar players. That record sounds like it was done at RCA with the Anita Kerr singers. The sound of the guitar and the ambient sound of the room just have that classic RCA tone. Anybody know for sure. The "Byrd of Paradise" CD is a bargain on several CD sites. You can find it sometimes for less than $3. Byrds tone and phrasing on that CD is spectacular. Even in the midst of an obvious commercial project, his playing is beautiful. There are some others here on the forum that might be able to direct you to some other Byrd CDs that might be less commercial. |
Andy Volk
Member From: Boston, MA
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posted 30 May 2006 12:10 PM
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http://www.steelguitarcanada.com/cdcass/byrd.htm Scroll down to Hi-Fi Guitar. This is THE classic Byrd record and a textbook example of the Rickenbacher Bakelite "moan"... a mix of Hawaiian, Tango, Country ... something for everyone and only recently available on CD.THis is JB in the early 50s with a top flight Nashville rhythm section; no strings, no vocals. The record contains what many think are JB's definitive performances on several tunes.[This message was edited by Andy Volk on 30 May 2006 at 12:13 PM.] |
Gerald Ross
Member From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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posted 30 May 2006 12:17 PM
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So... on albums like "Byrd Of Paradise", whose idea was it to add the cheesy vocals?JB? or the record producer? I agree with Andy, HiFi Guitar is it for both steel guitar virtuosity and clean, to-the-point arrangements. ------------------
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar' 
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association [This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 30 May 2006 at 12:19 PM.]
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Carter York
Member From: Austin, TX [Windsor Park]
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posted 30 May 2006 12:25 PM
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"Blue Hawaiian Steel Guitar" for me. I love that record!Also, except for the tepid vocal track stuck in the middle, "By Request" is an incredible album, great song choices, and a mellower, moodier feel to it. If the vocal accompaniment and 'string sections' aren't your thing, you'll want to avoid the 4 Classic Albums on cassette. Or at least preview it before you buy it. |
Ron Whitfield
Member From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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posted 30 May 2006 12:33 PM
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Buck, I'd suggest 'Jerry Byrd, Steel Guitar Hawaiian Style' and 'By Request' which was his last studio recording.These are sure to please. To get a truer sense of the man, search out the tapes of his yearly 80s era Ho'olaule'a shows which included virtually any great steeler who was able to still play and into Hawaiian steel guitar.
Unfortunately, these are quite hard to find.
However, there are forum members who post often that surely have these and maybe they would be willing to share.
As an example of what can be heard, I'm lucky to have access to the 5th year tapes which included JB, Barney Isaacs, Freddie Tavares, Billy Hew Len, Tony Ohtsuka and others.
You also get to hear Jerry talk about them and steel in general which is great, especially since most are now long gone. Good luck!
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Rick Aiello
Member From: Berryville, VA USA
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posted 30 May 2006 12:49 PM
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Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo ... doo ... doo ...  I love Byrd of Paradise ...  Ke Kali Nei Au Lei Aloha Lei Makamae I already had these uploaded over in the "Music" section ... so for the sake of y'all who never heard what we are talkin' 'bout here ... of course: just for Educational Purposes As far as virtuosity goes ... Admirable Byrd is really tough to beat ... in my opinion ... This "subject" was discussed in detail at the Shenandoah Valley Steel Guitar Summit ... Where it was decided that some Jerry Byrd albums require an "acquired taste" ... I turned a 35 minute drive to Dulles ... into what musta seemed to poor ol' Howard to be a "Three Hour Tour" (and the weather wasn't even gettin' rough) ...  Lets just say not everyone acquires "the taste" ... aye Howard ... 
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Slants of the Week
Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels
[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 30 May 2006 at 04:24 PM.]
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Gerald Ross
Member From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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posted 30 May 2006 01:07 PM
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Doo doo doo doo.I can't handle it. It's too cheesy. Yes, I can listen through the cheese and hear the wonderful, virtuostic steel guitar playing. But those arrangements... What were they thinking? If I wanted to impress upon novices how beautiful the steel guitar is, I would not choose these records as examples. JB's HiFi Guitar & Steel Guitar Favorites, yes! Doo doo doo... come on guys, let's be real. ------------------
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association
[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 30 May 2006 at 01:19 PM.] |
Rick Aiello
Member From: Berryville, VA USA
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posted 30 May 2006 01:49 PM
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quote:
let's be real
I'm bein' real .. and serious ... as much as I can be Byrd in Hawaii, Steel Guitar Hawaiian Style, Hawaiian Beach Party, Byrd of Paradise, Admirable Byrd, Satin Strings of Steel, Master of Touch & Tone, Hi-Fi Guitar & Steel Guitar Favorites ... were all the records I listened to for years ... tryin' to learn to play. I didn't play these ... for recreational listenin' ... I was studyin'. I had no musical experiences before steel guitar ... I didn't grow up with steel guitar on the radio, like some of our friends here on the forum and in HSGA ... I didn't have the internet ... where a plethora of syles and samples are now just a click away ... There was no Cumquat Records ... It was Tom Bradshaw's catalog ... that was it ... and I bought everything he had ... from Pete Drake to Sneaky Pete to Buddy Emmons to Maurice Anderson to David Kelii to Rudi Wairata ... But it was those JB albums ... they got me. To each his own ...  But my recommendation to "a novice" stands ... Admirable Byrd ...
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Slants of the Week
Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels
[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 30 May 2006 at 01:54 PM.]
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Andy Volk
Member From: Boston, MA
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posted 30 May 2006 01:53 PM
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One "doo" two many, Gerald. I'm with you. My list of Byrd records, in descending order of preference, would be ...#1 Hi-Fi Guitar CD
#2 On The shores of Waikiki (Nani Hawaii) LP only
#3 Jazz From the Hills - country All Stars - CD
#4 Steel Guitar Hawaiian Style CD
#5 Master of Touch and Tone CD
#6 By Request - CD Okay but not my favorites ...
#7 Admirable Byrd - LP or cassette
#8 Satin Strings of Steel - LP or cassette Not even on if they were the only records on a deserted island ....
#9 Steel Guitar Romantic World
#10 Polynesian Suite Disclaimer: Andy's opinion. YMMD. #1-#3 feature JB on a Ric Bakelite. Gorgeous tone. #4-#6 are on JB's Sho-Bud; not quite in the heavenly tonal pantheon of the early stuff. By Request has some great playing but flat out lousy engineering and muddy sound. SGRW & PS have their champions (do a search) but IMHO, they are the worst kitsch. SGRW has some astounding diatonic playing from JB but the kitschy, hackneyed Japanese pop arrangements just kill it for me. I haven't heard the cassettes of his live radio stuff but I suspect some of it is quite good. It would be great to hear a CD of some of the 45s Ray has featured ... like his diatonic tuning calling card, an amzing performance on "Next To Jimmy". Don't get me wrong, JB at his best was untouchable - especially in a relaxed, live gig. It's just that the quality of his recorded output is uneven. [This message was edited by Andy Volk on 30 May 2006 at 06:31 PM.] |
Buck Dilly
Member From: Branchville, NJ, USA
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posted 30 May 2006 03:23 PM
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Thanks for the feedback. I will definately get some more Byrd. His playing is spot on. The tone is magnificent and even RCA couldn't make him sound bad. I had a similar reaction to a few Chet Atkins albums. I will get Hi Fi and perhaps a few others. I really love the bakelite sound. |
Bill Hatcher
Member From: Atlanta Ga. USA
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posted 30 May 2006 04:39 PM
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The label might have been Monument. I just think that it sounds like a RCA studio B recording. Probably some of the same players. |
Ray Montee
Member From: Portland, OR, USA
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posted 30 May 2006 04:53 PM
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If you're wanting to hear Jerry Byrd technique and Rickenbacher TONE.......try getting away from the instrumentals and acting like that is his total statement.
NOTHING! Nothing has ever matched or even come close to Jerry's performance throughout his NANI HAWAII 1950's four record album.
The TONE is magnificant with depth on the low end and mellow highs topside.
Every week some of Jerry's best work is featured on the JBFC site. |
Bill Hatcher
Member From: Atlanta Ga. USA
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posted 30 May 2006 05:16 PM
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Ray. Are these "Nani" recording availiable on CD? |
Andy Volk
Member From: Boston, MA
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posted 30 May 2006 05:27 PM
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Fair point, Ray. JB's tone IS gorgeous on Nani Hawaii and his phrasing, while uniquely Byrd, totally compliments the songs. Hawaiian falsetto is not generally my thing but the falsetto singing on this record is great.
Auction on eBay. Ironically, I was seeking a CD copy just the other day. A few folks have the reissue version (On the Shores of Waikiki) and will make a CD for $10.[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 30 May 2006 at 08:28 PM.] |
Rick Aiello
Member From: Berryville, VA USA
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posted 30 May 2006 06:13 PM
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In my opinion ... nuttin' beats JB's live performances with Hiram Olsen and Kalani Fernandez ... Sho-Bud or not.My personal library of these shows has grown by leaps and bounds lately ... because of the generousity of one gentleman that I did some "Ricky work" for. If you think JB can't "swing" ... or plays "cheese" ... or played his best stuff while backing up singers in the 40's and 50's ... Well, a few of these performances will really change your "tune" (pun intended) ... As Ron W. mentioned ... live JB is where "it's at" ... Listen to this ... Kimo Hula/Kolopa If anyone can say ... honestly say ... they have heard a more "heart-filled" played song on steel guitar ... well ... I'll shut up about JB forever ... ------------------
Slants of the Week
Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels
[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 30 May 2006 at 06:20 PM.]
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Buck Dilly
Member From: Branchville, NJ, USA
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posted 30 May 2006 06:46 PM
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Thanks Rick- That's what I was looking for. Sweet Hawaiian music. Perfect tone and balance. Phrasing like a vocalist. Wow! |
Jeff Au Hoy
Member From: Honolulu, Hawai'i
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posted 30 May 2006 08:09 PM
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quote:
If anyone can say ... honestly say ... they have heard a more "heart-filled" played song on steel guitar ... well ... I'll shut up about JB forever ...
I can honestly say I have. But I don't want you to shut up about anything. |
Don Kona Woods
Member From: Vancouver, Washington, USA
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posted 30 May 2006 11:23 PM
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I happened to be at the Ho'olau'lea when Kimo Hula/Kolopa was played and recorded by Jerry Byrd.How can one know when one has played the steel guitar at a most heart-filled moment or have played more heart-filled than anyone else? I believe each person possibly arrives at this moment in some way, but may not have the technical mastery for the fullest expression of it where it can be communicated to and experienced by the listener. I have heard and seen some of the very best steel guitarists in Hawaii and the Mainland, but through hearing and visual observation, I have never seen any steel guitarists visually express the intensity that I have seen in Jerry Byrd. This can be easily seen on his face and in his body language. Is this what we mean when we say heart-filled playing? He is a master at putting himself fully into his playing, at least as much as we can possibly know humanly. When Jerry plays it does turn the hearts of people. Still, Jules Ah See turns my heart more. Aloha, 
Don
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Rick Aiello
Member From: Berryville, VA USA
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posted 31 May 2006 05:00 AM
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quote:
I can honestly say I have.
Ok .. I'm a man of my word ... So I'll just "shut up & play" ... a song off the album I recommended above Cut off "Admirable He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named
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Slants of the Week
Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels
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Andy Volk
Member From: Boston, MA
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posted 31 May 2006 05:04 AM
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Beautifully said, Don. Rick, please keep sharing your insights on the forum and waving the flag for your passions. |
Jeff Au Hoy
Member From: Honolulu, Hawai'i
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posted 31 May 2006 05:30 AM
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"Theme for a DJ"... hot! |
Danny James
Member From: Columbus, Indiana, USA
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posted 31 May 2006 07:10 AM
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For my two cents worth, I can listen to that kind of music all day long, day in and day out.
Many of us can play for years and still not accomplish the degree of speed, accuracy,enginuity,touch,& timing, Jerry Byrd has. That is a special gift!
He was certainly one of the best in my book.
Thanks for sharing Rick. |
Gerald Ross
Member From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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posted 31 May 2006 07:26 AM
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I've never heard any of JB's Nani Hawaii recordings. Could someone please post a representative sample?Let me state again: The steel guitar playing on all of JB's recordings is wonderful. It's the corny arrangements on many of his recordings that get to me ( IMHO ). It's not just JB. Many middle-of-the-road recordings from the 1960's had this flavor. Did anyone really like this stuff or was it all meant to be background dentist office musical wallpaper? ------------------
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association |
Rick Aiello
Member From: Berryville, VA USA
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posted 31 May 2006 08:04 AM
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quote:
I've never heard any of JB's Nani Hawaii recordings. Could someone please post a representative sample
Here's one that is "dear" to me ... wonder why Little Lani Jo
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Slants of the Week
Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels
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Dave Clark
Member From: Tennessee, USA
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posted 31 May 2006 12:10 PM
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I have to agree with Rick - the performances with Hiram Olsen, and Kalani are fantastic,Along with albums such as "Satin Strings of Steel" and many others.No one in the past has come close to Jerry Byrd - the true master of tone and touch. Dave |
Jeff Au Hoy
Member From: Honolulu, Hawai'i
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posted 31 May 2006 01:39 PM
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I recommend the 2005 compilation CD of Jerry's "Master of Touch and Tone". A nice sampling without cheese.I'll agree that no one (that I know of) in the past came close to JB in terms of achievement, but for my tastes there are a number of players who not only come close but also surpass him in touch and tone. Walter Wailehua is my master of touch and tone. |
John McGann
Member From: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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posted 31 May 2006 01:55 PM
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Rick- Thanks for posting those great clips.Maybe I'm just in an "it's all good" mood, but I have to say I like the "dated" arrangements - they are SO conservative and over-the-top Pleasantville that they give me a big smile (even if it's a lobotomy style smile)... and of course the steel playing is "beyond category" as Duke Ellington would say. Stunning, especially to anyone who has tried to slant a bar! |
Scott Thomas
Member From: Oregon, USA
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posted 31 May 2006 03:26 PM
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Walter Waile -(who?)-a??
Just kidding.
His tone is so gorgeous, that it had me thinking about tracking down a Multi-Kord when I read, according to the liner notes in the "History of Hawaiian Steel Guitar", that is what he played. But I knew, "naw , like all the greats, it isn't the guitar" (at least not mainly). . . but still? I was lucky enough to find some more original Bell 78's with Bill Ali'iloa Lincoln along with a bunch of other great hula records at a garage sale some years back. I think the seller may have taught dance at some time. That a way to throw down the gauntlet there Rick! Jerry Byrd seems to bring out the superlatives in his fans more than any other player it seems (THE best, THE most, and NO one, etc .) I love the discussion that usually follows---as long as folks don' get bent out of shape--'cause to me reading about why some disagree, and why and who they like better and so forth makes the forum go around. I'm taking a break from practicing with my JB course to write this, by the way. I never got the chance meet him, but I'm glad I got the chance to write and thank him for all that his music and course has meant to me. His immediate hand written reply was touching and something I will always treasure. I knew he was in very ill health at the time, and he didn't know me from Adam. The writing is shaky and fades to an illegible scrawl at the end, where you can barely make out, "sorry for the terrible writing." That tells me more about the man's heart than any piece of music. |
Rick Aiello
Member From: Berryville, VA USA
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posted 31 May 2006 04:08 PM
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Well ... after a tough day of changin' diapers, colorin', breathin' treatments and T-Ball practice ...I sit back with a few "cold ones" ... and listen to Andy Iona. But when it's "time to study" ... it's He Who Shall Not Be Named... ------------------
Slants of the Week
Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels
[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 31 May 2006 at 04:09 PM.]
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Bob Hickish
Member From: Port Ludlow, Washington, USA
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posted 31 May 2006 07:18 PM
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Aah Rick
You nailed it !
quote
"It was Tom Bradshaw's catalog ... that was it ..."Lets hear it for Capt. Midnight Of Steel ! it
was like getting a decoder ring in the mail .
& his flyers let you know were it was all
happening . Bradshaw is still the king in
my book ! |
Jesse Pearson
Member From: San Diego , CA
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posted 31 May 2006 07:32 PM
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I've got to say that the JB course taught me important things I needed to know about C6, but he's not someone I wanted to learn much phrasing from for the Hawaiian stuff. I love his early country stuff in every way however. [This message was edited by Jesse Pearson on 01 June 2006 at 07:59 AM.] |
Garry Vanderlinde
Member From: Garden Grove, California, USA
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posted 31 May 2006 08:57 PM
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cheesy or not I really like the tropical "bird" sounds along with the coconut rhythm section,
CLASSIC
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John Bechtel
Member From: Nashville, Tennessee,U.S.A.
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posted 31 May 2006 10:20 PM
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Jerry Byrd could have played those strings while they were still packed in their original envelopes and I would have listened to him! Especially the ones for the C-Diatonic Tuning!!! I wouldn't care what the title of the tune was or who else was singing or playing along either, as long as they didn't over ride his sound! ------------------
“Big John”
a.k.a. {Keoni Nui}
Current Equipment
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Andy Volk
Member From: Boston, MA
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posted 01 June 2006 03:03 AM
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Well, if the quality of Jerry's output doesn't always meet a critical limus test I agree that his playing always did. Heck, he was a professional musican and took every gig that came his way in the early years - who wouldn't? He even painted houses in the lean years. Wonder if he had unmatched technique with a paintbrush? He is not my first choice when listening to Hawaiian steel but he played that music with fire and soul.THe fact that he took time to answer questions with a personal, handwritten letter from people all over the world for 50+ years reveals his character. His best recordings are astoundingly good. No one's going to convince me that JB could swing but that's not what he was about anyway. He certainly had the best intonation ever, the most varied phrasing, the most faultless technique, and a style that was unique and instantly recognizable. It's a safe bet that people will be playing JB records as long as there are steel guitars. |
Jussi Huhtakangas
Member From: Helsinki, Finland
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posted 01 June 2006 04:40 AM
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Quote: "Did anyone really like this stuff or was it all meant to be background dentist office musical wallpaper?" I bet in thirty years people will say the same about Bon Jovi. ( or actually why not say it now!! )
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Buck Dilly
Member From: Branchville, NJ, USA
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posted 01 June 2006 09:23 AM
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So...I take it your guys like him? |
Robert Shafer
Member From: United Kingdom
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posted 01 June 2006 05:11 PM
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As a comparative newcomer to this lap steel malarkey at a late stage in life and possessing a completely untutored ear in the subject, I know what I like and I know what I don't like. With regard to the playing of the innominate one I am torn between two opinions.Thanks to the direction of Mr. Volk and the sample from Nani Hawaii provided by Mr. Aiello, I have snapped up the eBay copy for $4.99. My apologies to any other prospective buyers. That's the type of Hawaiian music that I like. Simple and unaffected. Even with the authentic 'scratchiness' of Mr Aiello's copy the masterful skill and tone of the innominate one shines through and gives me great pleasure. It reminds me, somewhat, of Sam Ku West in the 1920's. Whereas, other, IMHO, over-orchestrated and over-arranged pieces do little for me. Obviously the man's skill and technique are beyond question and after all I suppose 'he who pays the piper calls the tune' etc. He played for a living after all. I have always preferred my music with little more 'edge' and I look forward to receiving my copy of Nani Hawaii for the furtherence of my obviously much needed education. I am also looking forward to the Aloha Dreams Hawaiian Guitar Convention to be held next week in Brecon UK, where, believe it or not, I will be priviledged to see lap steel played 'live' for the first time in my life. There's certainly none around here, apart from me of course. I have been reliably informed that I will learn more in a couple of hours of relatively close observation than I will in months of self instruction at home. I can't wait. Nevertheless, I have recently 'stolen' the innominate one's rendition of Ebb Tide, minus the chimes of course, and continue to impress friends and family with my humble scrapings. It even sounds reasonable to me. My continued thanks to Mr. b0b and the illuminati of this site for your invaluable services and contributions as without you I am sure many of us would never have dared to even think of attempting to play this fascinating instrument. Just a humble half a groat's worth. |
Wayne Cox
Member From: Chatham, Louisiana, USA
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posted 01 June 2006 06:55 PM
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Just my $00.02, here. At the time Byrd of Paradise was cut, the Anita Kerr singers were the "best of the best",just like Jerry.
Everyone has a right to express their opinion and like or dislike whatever they choose, but before rating this album too low, try to to duplicate one song on it with modern musicians and singers. I promise you will gain an appreciation for the masterpiece it truly is!
~~W.C.~~ |
Rick Collins
Member From: Claremont , CA USA
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posted 01 June 2006 08:25 PM
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quote:
I bet in thirty years people will say the same about Bon Jovi.
Jussi, if you want your kitchen sink to be sparkling clean, clean it with Bon Jovi. I think the active ingredient, clorine, is what makes it so great. It meets the Mr. Clean seal of approval. |
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