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 The Steel Guitar Forum
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 Leon Rhodes: Guitar
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| Author | Topic: Leon Rhodes: Guitar |
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Joel Glassman Member From: Waltham MA USA |
posted 30 November 2000 03:20 PM
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I love his playing especially in the 50s and 60s. He's on Buddy Charleton's "Almost to Tulsa", on a bunch of ET's music, and also on Buddy Emmons' 1975 "Steel Guitar" recording. His solo on a live version of Rose City Chimes with Buddy & the Texas Troubadors is hysterically funny-later music is more conventional. Any good examples of early uninhibited playing from him? His playing reminds me of a bit of Jimmy Bryant, Jimmy Rivers, and Hank Garland. Do these names bring anyone else to mind? thanks, Joel |
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P Gleespen Member From: Lakewood, OH USA (I miss Boston!) |
posted 01 December 2000 06:06 AM
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All the Texas Troubadour "solo" records (without ET) are just great. Each one has at least one or two cuts where Leon just rips it up. I was just listening to some great Troubadour stuff from the Bear Family ET Box Sets this morning on the commuter rail. I know what you mean about the comedy factor. Leon definitely seems to be crackin' a grin sometimes. |
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Donny Hinson Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A. |
posted 02 December 2000 06:23 PM
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No doubt, Leon is one of the finest guitar country guitar players around! I also think it was guys like Leon, Jimmy Bryant, Hank Garland, and Les Paul that inspired not only guitar players, but steelmen as well for many decades, by adapting fast "Jazz stylings" to Country Music. Leon's "Rhodes-Bud Boogie" is still my all-time favorite twin number. This guy was "pushing the envelope" when stamps were still 3 cents! |
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Boomer Member From: Brentwood, TN USA |
posted 02 December 2000 10:18 PM
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Most of us six-string players pale in comparison to both what he knows and what he's forgotten on guitar. Best, Boomer |
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Earl Erb Member From: Old Hickory Tenn |
posted 03 December 2000 06:21 PM
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What else can I say...I love Leon Rhodes and what a sweet guy he is.I am proud to say he's a friend.  |
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Jason Odd Member From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
posted 03 December 2000 06:37 PM
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I must admit, I only know the Troubs by rep, of course they had some pretty cool members, but i've never heard any of the groups singles or albums. Is there any chance someone could list them, or recommend any to look for. Somehow I doubt the CD age has caught up with them, but i could be wrong. Jason |
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Sleepy John unregistered |
posted 04 December 2000 04:06 AM
Leon has superior Knowlege of his instrument Musically, but there aren't a lot of people who know that he is one of the best around to set up a Guitar or Bass. When Leon has Worked on your AX, It is all it can be. There aren't enough Young Players coming along these days that have this kind of knowledge. They all appear to be happy to let the Roadies carry their Guitars and equipment and do nothing but play. If there is a problem with their Guitar , they send it to a "Technician". This is in my opinion one of the major differences between a Guitarist and a Guitar Player. Also What Earl said. ------------------ [This message was edited by Sleepy John on 04 December 2000 at 04:07 AM.] |
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Jack Stoner Sysop From: Inverness, Florida |
posted 04 December 2000 05:39 AM
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Leon has always amazed me. I heard part of the ET record show Saturday night (Sunday morning) and Leon really sounded good. Too bad the Opry management though he was ready for the retirement home. (Weldon sounded good Saturday night too). |
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Tele Member From: Andy W. - Wolfenbuettel, Germany |
posted 04 December 2000 08:46 AM
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Jason, as always Bear Family did a fine job of reiussuing their stuff on the E.T. box that covers the years 1961-67 I think. Don't have the title handy but check with their website at www.bear-family.de Andy [This message was edited by Tele on 04 December 2000 at 08:47 AM.] |
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Gene Jones Member From: Oklahoma City, OK USA |
posted 04 December 2000 11:00 AM
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JASON: A good example of Rhodes/Charlton work without ET is "Ernest Tubb presents The Texas Troubadours"..Decca (DL74459)on vinyl. Maybe you can find it on a re-issue somewhere. To this day I still play Charlton's arrangements from that album of Pan Handle Rag, and The Waltz You Saved For Me. |
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Rich Paton Member From: Santa Maria, CA., |
posted 05 December 2000 10:46 PM
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Leon's solos on the Texas Troubadours cut "Honey Fingers" is just amazing, and one of the best examples of "melody contouring" I've ever heard. The countouring I mention is the shape of the lead line on the staff, which when so expertly done makes the part flow effortlessly, from start to finish. Just amazing guitar playing, and that tune sounds like it was cut totally live. |
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John Paul Jones Member From: San Diego |
posted 13 December 2000 07:33 AM
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Here's a point of interest, I hope. While working in Tennessee in 1970 my guitar needed the frets dressed. Someone suggested Leon Rhodes and gave me his phone. He agreed to work on my guitar and gave me a time and his address. After he had done a fine job on my guitar and I was leaving he happened to mention that he was going back into his house and practice. I asked him, "What could there possibly be that you need to practice". His reply was that he needed to practice not lifting his fingers on his left hand so high when he played. This was a point I had never even thought of. John Paul Jones |
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Joel Glassman Member From: Waltham MA USA |
posted 13 December 2000 09:31 AM
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Interesting-I think you can hear that in his mid 70s playing. He is phrasing more evenly-- the way jazz players I know who place their thumbs in the middle of the neck (and tap with the "fingerprint" area of the finger.) BTW I also think its important for steel players to keep their left hand near the strings |
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Donny Hinson Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A. |
posted 13 December 2000 03:58 PM
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Jason... E-mail me your address, and I will put their best stuff on a cassette for you. (I have most all of their albums) |
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