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Topic: Mike Johnson/New Palace Brothers/Awesome! |
Gerald Menke
From:
Stormville NY, USA
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Posted 5 May 2004 6:11 am |
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I am beginning to think if you like a lot of steel guitar in your music these days you are better off ignoring the lamestream artists and checking out what's going on underground. Case in point: The "new" (released in March on Drag City) Bonnie "Prince" Billy album Greatest Palace Music. features the beautiful playing of Mike Johnson ON EVERY SONG, with tons of soul, taste and tone. I strongly recommend checking this record out, many other Nashville monsters play on it as well, Hargus Robbins, Stuart Duncan to name just two.
There are a number of other "indie" artists digging pure country-type sounds, featuring steel and fiddle prominently, none of whom you will ever hear on commercial radio. That said, I should mention you will hear none of the following on this record:
high-gain metal solos
vocals that abuse auto-tune software
quantized drums courtesy Pro Fools
corny 80's style synth sounds
if you are looking for that sort of thing, there are a number of records that will sate your desire for that, but if you want to hear some really cool sounding country music, give this one a listen.
I was really amazed by Mike's playing, very tasteful, inspiring and original sounding.
Thanks for reading my post.
Gerald
(edited to correct title)[This message was edited by Gerald Menke on 06 May 2004 at 07:41 AM.] |
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Lawrence Lupkin
From:
Brooklyn, New York, USA
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Posted 5 May 2004 6:46 am
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| How about yodeling? |
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David Spires
From:
Millersport, OH
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Posted 5 May 2004 6:59 am
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There is no bigger fan of Mike Johnson, than I am (well maybe except for Joanie?). Mikey has been, and continues to be an influence and inspiration in my playing.
As much as I love Paul's pickin', it has been nice to see another player get the opportunities that Mike has over the past few years. He sure has earned them.
"I wanta be like Mike",
David Spires |
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Gerald Menke
From:
Stormville NY, USA
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Posted 5 May 2004 9:14 am
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Dear Lawrence,
I know you will be very disappointed, but there is no yodeling. The list of guest backup singers is pretty amazing, though. Matt Sweeney (Chavez, Zwann) Cynthia Hopkins (Gloria Deluxe) and many other underground greats. Wait till you hear Mike's playing. A real virtuoso.
Gerald |
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Tony Palmer
From:
St Augustine,FL
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Posted 5 May 2004 9:27 am
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Gerald, what is the exact title of this CD?
I'd love to buy it, but can't find it on Amazon. |
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Garth Highsmith
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Posted 5 May 2004 9:41 am
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| . [This message was edited by Garth Highsmith on 12 January 2006 at 09:33 AM.] |
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Tony Palmer
From:
St Augustine,FL
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Posted 6 May 2004 3:40 am
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Thanks, I ordered it.
I've only heard Mike Johnson on Daryle Singletary's CD "That's Why I Sing This Way" and EVERY track is great, with awesome steel on each song.
Can't get enough of his playing!
Any more we should know about? |
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Greg Derksen
From:
Alberta, Canada
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Posted 6 May 2004 4:50 am
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Something about Mike's playing , tone, and
style, that is sooo right, I love the guy's
playing, his tone has a real thick richness to it, the polar opposite of a whiney steel
sound,
I've noticed a Mike Johnson collection
growing in my CD Stable, The first two
Paisley CD's are worth the price just because
of Mike let alone Brad's Tele playing, and
" I never go around Mirrors " Solo is as good
as it gets, I was in Awe the first time I heard that, There's a guy that "ROCKS" , Greg |
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Ron Scott
From:
Michigan
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Posted 6 May 2004 5:30 am
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I agree that Mike sure makes it sound great.RS
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Jim West
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Posted 6 May 2004 5:35 am
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Mike Johnson is THE man! His tone is thicker and richer than the other players you hear on the pop country artists and his choice of notes is a refreshing change. He is also on, "Livin', Lovin" and Losin" which is a Louvin Brothers tribute with various artists.
Keep up the good work Mike! |
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Drew Howard
From:
48854
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Posted 6 May 2004 7:55 am
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| Quote: |
| ..."lamestream artists"... |
Gerald, you're coining some hilarious new stuff here!
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Drew's Website
[This message was edited by Drew Howard on 06 May 2004 at 08:57 AM.] |
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kyle reid
From:
Butte,Mt.usa
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Posted 6 May 2004 8:04 am
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| Drew! Heres one I've used for years. SLT [Severe Lack of Talent] |
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robert hays
From:
sikeston mo. usa
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Posted 6 May 2004 1:48 pm
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| I have three C.Ds by Billy Yates that are great country music,the last two have mike Johnson playing some very tasteful steel,the latest C.D "Billy Yates country" has some great songs written by Billy and made even better by Mike Johnson! Billy wrote or co-wrote all the songs on these C.D's and he wrote "choices" and "I dont need your rockin chair" for George Jones,and several more hits. these are produced by Billy and available on his web site. |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 14 May 2004 7:52 pm
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I agree the Bonnie Prince Charlie CD is loaded with ultra-fine steel. Mike just lays it down. There's also some real lessons here in how to tastefully back up very simple two chord progressions. A weird computer snafu left me paying for two copies online, so if anybody wants one, let me know and I'll ship for $15. New in shrink wrap.
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Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com
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Lawrence Lupkin
From:
Brooklyn, New York, USA
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Posted 26 May 2004 12:27 pm
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| Sorry I missed your post, Mark. I actually just got a copy through Drag City. It's truly amazing how Mike's style comes through whether he is playing country or alternative music such as this. I'm very happy with my purchase. |
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Roland van Beveren
From:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Posted 26 May 2004 12:41 pm
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Great songs, great steeler, great album.
Roland |
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Mark Hershey
From:
New York, USA
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Posted 26 Apr 2016 10:52 am
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I really love the steel playing on this album, especially the intro to 'No More Workhorse Blues'.
Are there any other Mike johnson recordings that anyone would recommend that is similar to the playing on this album? |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 26 Apr 2016 11:17 am
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| David Spires wrote: |
There is no bigger fan of Mike Johnson, than I am (well maybe except for Joanie?). Mikey has been, and continues to be an influence and inspiration in my playing.
As much as I love Paul's pickin', it has been nice to see another player get the opportunities that Mike has over the past few years. He sure has earned them.
"I wanta be like Mike",
David Spires |
I don't know David. You'll have to squeeze in line in front of me. 
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Mark Hershey
From:
New York, USA
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Posted 26 Apr 2016 11:24 am
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| Richard Sinkler wrote: |
| David Spires wrote: |
There is no bigger fan of Mike Johnson, than I am (well maybe except for Joanie?). Mikey has been, and continues to be an influence and inspiration in my playing.
As much as I love Paul's pickin', it has been nice to see another player get the opportunities that Mike has over the past few years. He sure has earned them.
"I wanta be like Mike",
David Spires |
I don't know David. You'll have to squeeze in line in front of me. |
Any additional recordings you'd recommend? I love how haunting his playing is on the Bonnie Prince Billy album. |
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Jeff Garden
From:
Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 26 Apr 2016 12:35 pm
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For Mike Johnson fans, also check out Rhonda Vincent's great double CD called "Only Me" which came out in 2014. One disc is 6 bluegrass tunes and the other is straight country with lots of Mike's steel on it.
Here's a video of them doing "When The Grass Grows Over Me" live...the studio recording is on the country CD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKA0V4OBlwA |
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Mark Hershey
From:
New York, USA
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Posted 26 Apr 2016 1:29 pm
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| Jeff Garden wrote: |
For Mike Johnson fans, also check out Rhonda Vincent's great double CD called "Only Me" which came out in 2014. One disc is 6 bluegrass tunes and the other is straight country with lots of Mike's steel on it.
Here's a video of them doing "When The Grass Grows Over Me" live...the studio recording is on the country CD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKA0V4OBlwA |
Thanks for sharing, his playing is very nice in that video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjwN5byVawY
I'm way into the intro on this song and his pads throughout it. |
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Jeff Garden
From:
Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA
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Mark Hershey
From:
New York, USA
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Posted 26 Apr 2016 2:27 pm
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Wow, I'm glad I posted this today. Will work through some of those parts.
Is their any chance you'd be up for tabbing this intro or any other part of this song?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjwN5byVawY
I'd even be willing to chip in a little for your time. I just find it to be an incredible piece of playing.
My pedal steel teacher showed me a dumbed down version of it when I was a beginner and I've since forgotten it. |
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Steve Allison
From:
Eatonton,Ga. U.S.A.
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Posted 26 Apr 2016 10:25 pm
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| I would give anything to be able to play in the key of E as well as Mike does! Hard to get the steel that rich in that area. Few do it so well and end with it in such awe! |
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Jeff Garden
From:
Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA
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