You Tube, The Embodiment Of Desirable Viewing

About Steel Guitarists and their Music

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Bill Hankey
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Post by Bill Hankey »

The steel guitar player needs accompaniment to produce the best results possible when recording. To record without percussion or bass lines, would seriously handicap a player. See for yourself! Turn on David Hartley's O.B.S. and block out the steel. Listen intently on You Tube for his accompaniment. He is truly an amazing player who utilizes effects to great advantages. His echo kicks in, after the melody gets rolling. So, it's 6 of one, and a half dozen of the other.
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Bent Romnes
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Post by Bent Romnes »

Bill, your first line:
The steel guitar player needs accompaniment to produce the best results possible when recording.
Listen to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P9CmVOqoZo
and tell me if you think that this artist is 'seriously handicapped' without the help of accompaniment. While there, click on the rest of Danny Sneed's videos and get further proof that he is not in any way handicapped.

On the other hand I agree wholeheartedly with what you wrote on David Hartley.
So, it's 6 of one, and a half dozen of the other. ;-)
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Charlie McDonald
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Post by Charlie McDonald »

Six of one, ten of another when it comes to Danny's playing.
It's not only a joy to hear, but to watch him play.
I'll be looking for more of Mr. Sneed; that's just the kind of music I like.
Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons
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Bill Hankey
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Post by Bill Hankey »

Bent,

I went in to check on Danny Sneed. Danny's fast rolls combined with a creative network of unfamiliar patterns of note clusters rolling off his picks are big challenges. My mind moved off to Porter Wagoner's recording of The Carroll County Accident, and the clever tuning changes backing Porter by simply turning the tuners in the middle of each phrase. Danny was a bit scary at first, until I hit on the big E playing country for Johnny Bush. The link to get to Danny was handy. I couldn't find more in the scroll provided by You Tube. How would you define Danny's selection on the link? I've pointed to the inactive ring and pinky fingers in most players in other threads. I don't see a lot of activity in this link involving those two fingers. Otherwise, he's a tough act to follow.
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Bent Romnes
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Post by Bent Romnes »

Bill, the sojurn into the Porter song is hardly comparable to what we are discussing here. Porter had bass, rhythm, etc etc backing PLUS ..Was it Buck Trent? on the electric banjo and scruggs pegs

Danny is solo.

You mentioned Big E..well, there's another one I can suggest you listen to: Wild Mountain Thyme. A more beautifully haunting piece of mastery you won't find. And Bill: It's another solo. No handicap there my friend. So I kindly suggest that you admit you were a tad wrong with that earlier statement.

That Danny doesn't use the ring and pinky much is beside the point (if that is accurate). Two string playing is often done with thumb/middle finger anyway.
It appears you don't yet know how to navigate in Youtube. Here is how you would find more Danny songs: Open the link I sent you and look to the right of the viewing screen: Click where it says "More from Jazzrone". That will bring up all of Danny's videos. Hope this helps
Bent
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Bill Hankey
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Post by Bill Hankey »

Bent,

It sure is neighborly of you to point out the skillful steel guitarist who must not have experimented with percussion or bass lines. OR, it may prove to be difficult for a bassman to follow his quick multiplicity of chord changes. I'm beset with a convenient flawed recollection when I try to dismantle his flawless maneuverability of both hands. It cramps my selective memory, just by viewing his creative style of entertainment. I'll try to find additional recordings by Danny by following your instructions. I appreciate the entertainment. I'll always be a tad wrong. My time spent on the forum, has helped to change some of the wrongs.
Last edited by Bill Hankey on 15 Oct 2008 3:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Bill Hankey
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Post by Bill Hankey »

Charlie,

We need one more shakeup such as the 1959 recording by Santo and Johnny. After all these years, not a single player has been able to accomplish on all makes and models of steel guitars, an instrumental that has been enjoyed by so many people, as "Sleepwalk".
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Bent Romnes
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Post by Bent Romnes »

Bill Hankey wrote:Bent,

It sure is neighborly of you to point out the skillful steel guitarist who must not have experimented with percussion or bass lines. OR, it may prove to be difficult for a bassman to follow his quick multiplicity of chord changes. I'm beset with a convenient flawed recollection when I try to dismantle his flawless maneuverability of both hands. It cramps my selective memory, just by viewing his creative style of entertainment. I'll try to find additional recordings by Danny by following your instructions. I appreciate the entertainment. I'll always be a tad wrong. My time spent on the forum, has helped to change some of the wrongs.
Atta boy Bill!
It IS nice to see that you have latched on to YouTube. One of those Internet inventions that makes life and learning easier for us.
It seems that this is the only way I can learn any more... I download the video, re-work it to play on my DVD player and sit there in front of the TV letting the 'teacher' play his song one line at a time, over and over and over........
I find that when I can see where his bar is at, that's over half the battle. It's easy to figure out the chord and strings from there on.
And then of course we have Mickey Adams, who so unselfishly posts his 100's of teaching videos on Youtube, for all to learn from. May God bless Mickey.
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Bill Hankey
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Post by Bill Hankey »

Bent,

Mickey Adams is a veritable "gold mine". A friend loaned me a VCR lessons tape distributed by the lead singer's dad in the "Dixie Chicks" band. One song in particular comes to mind from the taped lessons. "Bud's Bounce" would be the one. I like Mickey's rendition as well. The former N. Maines(?) of the Dixie Chicks comes to mind. The two singing sisters who sang with her were born here in Pittsfield. THEY ARE THE BEST. I believe their father worked for the former G.E. Plant two miles from where I live. The Pittsfield airport will never be the same until I see Bobbe Seymour's plane parked near the gate once again. It is believed that the first game of baseball was played here in Pittsfield. Balance Rock is located here.. a huge boulder balanced on another boulder about 5 or 6 feet above the ground. I'm sandwiched between Lake Pontoosuc, and Lake Onota. The Pittsfield Boys Club once brought the Canadian Strongman Louis Cyr here. He was the most powerful man known at the time. He could lift 500 lbs. with his "little" finger. I'm relating this information for others who may be curious about hometowns of steel players.
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Bent Romnes
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Post by Bent Romnes »

Thanks for info on strongmen, Dixie Chicks and sundry other info. it is interesting, in it's own thread to glean info on player's home towns, what they did before hitting fame etc etc.

However, in keeping with the original topic, YouTube,I mentioned to you how I get the most of my learning form that site. I want to bring one player to your attention, whom I have learned a lot from just from watching the position of his bar and figuring out his string-and pedal combinations from that point. It is truly a rewarding thing for me to do.
Watch this one, for example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZcYA7zrzjM

Shakey, as he is called, is a total misnomer for this talented artist. His real name, Dave Seddon, plays in a way that makes it easy for me to understand...is it his precise movements and bar placement?
To me, this is what Youtube is made for...the exchange of ideas and teaching/learning.
*remember to click on More from Shakey1047
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Bill Hankey
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Post by Bill Hankey »

Bent,

Do you know if Dave Seddon is featured on uptempo melodies? Something on the order of a Brumley selection would be great... "Apple Jack", or "Buckaroo", "Loves gonna live here" is what I have in mind.
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Bent Romnes
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Post by Bent Romnes »

So...no remark on what Dave DOES play..only a slightly condescending remark about what he DOESN'T play. I ask you to listen to the man the way he presents his own style of music. Ability doesn't necessarily lie in speed and up-tempo tunes.
He has offered us what you have seen on youtube... quite a formidable selection of tasteful steel guitar, played with a huge amount of soul, despite the tempo.
That's way more than what you can say for me with 2 tunes on there..and you, with none at all.

In the spirit of fair play, I suggest you offer up a few tunes of your own on youtube. I, and many with me, have no clue if you are half as good as Dave Seddon.
Let us hear YOU play Apple Jack or Buckaroo.
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Bill Hankey
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Post by Bill Hankey »

Bent,

Once again a forumite has misinterpreted my true feelings. On the contrary, I've felt a longing to be able to put the expression into a melody the same as Dave Sedden does. His playing is as smooth as a mink pelt. I don't see a single word written by me that would cause you to flare up and brand me a fault finder. I'll request a slow song that offers great rewards if the changes are in the right places. It's not country, but I happen to like the melody. It's a Connie Francis tune called; "Who's Sorry Now?" I've never heard it played on a steel guitar. It may be out there somewhere, and if it is, I haven't heard it played. I enjoyed Dave Seddon's playing, and I will continue to enjoy more of it in the future.
Last edited by Bill Hankey on 17 Oct 2008 4:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Bent Romnes
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Post by Bent Romnes »

Your true feelings will continue to be 'misinterpreted' if you write in riddles.
I presented a Seddon song to you, waiting in anticipation for your remarks, favourable or not so..

Instead you asked about some non-existing up-tempo tune, without the slightest hint as to whether or not you liked the tune presented to you. Instead, you by-passed all that and simply asked for something up tempo. Your post could only be interpreted as negative and condescending. No misinterpretation there.
Your replies should be more to the point of replying to the issue at hand, instead of you wandering off. Practice that and things will be much better.

If you want your true feelings to show, then do state your true feelings. Then there will me no 'misinterpretation' as you put it. Your writing and answering style show a hint of NOT wanting to show your true feelings and that gets people's hackles up. It is always best to be true to yourself.

The other part of your reply certainly warmed my heart and I feel the same way for Dave's playing as you do. Mink pelt was a super way of putting it!

Dave intimated to me once that his idol has always been Jimmy Day. I think it shows in his playing.

If you, and others, would want to check out Dave's CD drop him a line at : tigersteel@tiscali.co.uk

The name of the CD is When All's Seddon Done....just a little show of his sense of humor :-)
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Bill Hankey
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Post by Bill Hankey »

Bent,

There is no question about how much I enjoyed Daves playing. I'm looking forward to sending him a few lines tomorrow. Thanks for alerting me to a source of great entertainment.
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Bill Hankey
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Post by Bill Hankey »

Bent,

I made a bona fide effort by clicking on the link to send Dave a message. My computer doesn't go directly to the business at hand. It's protective automation devices ask permission to go outside the protected areas of communications. I would be delighted to confer with David, after I check with more knowledgeable friends of the computer systems. In the meantime, I would appreciate the invitation to enjoy his music.
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Bent Romnes
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Post by Bent Romnes »

Bill..so your browser doesn't open your email program to send an email. In that case, just copy and paste the address in the address line in whatever email client you are using.

By now I would guess that you have seen all his vids.
Just in case you haven't I will include this link to
"Nearly Swing" which is a touch of C6th playing on the E9th..also it is a bit up tempo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH1l0mTmAEI
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Bill Hankey
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Post by Bill Hankey »

There are many approaches to better systems of progressing musically. It's amazing to see the great numbers of those suited for learning melodies, choose an instrument to their liking. Even the harmonica if played with skill can break through the din of orchestration. I have strong feelings that the well made acoustic guitar, light in weight, featuring the rare woods selected to transmit the most vibrant tones, combined with a distinctly delicate welcoming choir, could be a serious challenge to the worldly pleasures of the mechanical pedal steel guitar. Jerry Byrd may have realized that precision and tone would be a necessary prerequisite in a world of classical musicians. There is an excellent clip of Jerry introducing Patty Loveless. I'll go in at a later time, to be able to state specifics. There is some indescribable pleasure heard in the amplification of steel strings ringing over the fretboard of a steel guitar. In reality, I believe there are thousands of new melodies yet to be played. It's just a matter of time.
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Bill Hankey
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Post by Bill Hankey »

Bent,

Thanks for the links you provided for my entertainment. I'll be enjoying the wonderful selections on You Tube each day. Once again, I appreciate your neighborly reminder to enjoy David's excellent renditions of melodies so close to the heart. As for introducing a few selections of my own, I would enjoy that. I am currently considering "Harbor Lights" to be presented, after I've "polished" the bridge to my satisfaction.
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Bent Romnes
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Post by Bent Romnes »

Bill, I,and I'm sure everybody else on the forum, are looking forward to hearing/seeing your picking. It's high time :-)
I am glad I could be of help to you because that's what the forum is all about.
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richard burton
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Post by richard burton »

Hey Bill :eek: :eek:
I'm another limey with a few videos that you may want to watch :)

Dave's a better player than me, I'm a bit ragged around the edges, and not very well rehearsed, but you might want to check out my attempt at 'I Love You Because', Buddy Emmons style, and 'The Last Date' John Hughey style.

Click Here
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Drew Howard
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Post by Drew Howard »

The Embodiment Of Desirable Viewing = Youtube is awesome
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Bill Hankey
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Post by Bill Hankey »

Richard,

I played "Last Date" a few times. You've got some catchy moves that are typical only when an artistic touch is applied to the steel guitar. Things of that nature don't just happen. I've become much more interested in U.K. players of late. Have you met Sarah Jory, or attended any of her performances? I haven't tried to learn how she is doing until now. I played her rendition of vocals, steel, and mandolin. Please keep in touch, and thanks for the excellent performances.
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Bent Romnes
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Post by Bent Romnes »

richard burton wrote:Hey Bill :eek: :eek:
I'm another limey with a few videos that you may want to watch :)

Dave's a better player than me, I'm a bit ragged around the edges, and not very well rehearsed, but you might want to check out my attempt at 'I Love You Because', Buddy Emmons style, and 'The Last Date' John Hughey style.

Click Here
Richard, thanks for letting Bill know. Yes, your playing should also definitely be heard. You play with a distinct Burton sound, especially on your ZB.
Another hint to Bill and others: When you get on to Youtube, your first order of business is to become a member. Second, when a member, you need to "subscribe" to the posters of your choice. That way you never miss one goodie and you don't have to do so much searching any more. By now I have a subscription list as long as your arm. Once y'all post a tune, I'm the first one to hear it :-)
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Bill Hankey
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Post by Bill Hankey »

Hi Drew,

I couldn't agree more. You Tube may sway buyers who normally have purchased teaching materials from instructors like Newman, Emmons, Wallace, Franklin, Jernigan, Maines, etc. I don't think anyone is above learning while watching videos on You Tube. For that reason, you could say the benefits touch all players of the steel guitar.
Last edited by Bill Hankey on 17 Oct 2008 10:52 am, edited 1 time in total.