Are The Good Woods And Hot Steel Licks Vanishing?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 6 Mar 2011 3:36 pm

b0b,

Your cartoon for some reason, reminds me of the poem written by Ernest Thayer in 1888. "Mighty Casey" at the bat, from Mudville, was an American Idol. A ballad sung in the year of 1888, was popularized by Dewolf Harper in Vaudville performances.

It reminds me of the "hush" that became so obvious with the usual forum commentaries. The crowds cheering Casey became silent after he struck out. There is a connection here, and it will come to me on the morrow.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 6 Mar 2011 8:14 pm

Yet, it goes on and on.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 7 Mar 2011 12:33 pm

Theresa,

I hope you'll agree that the hot licks are vanishing faster than they can be replaced in recording sessions. One must do a lot of searching, to find one hot lick these days. I hear a lot of scales played on the pedal steel, but as for hot licks, they are becoming a thing of the past. Listen to JIMMY DAY'S recording of "PICK ME UP ON YOUR WAY DOWN", played at SCOTTY'S LABOR DAY WEEK-END SHOW. Pure country music at its best!

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 8 Mar 2011 8:03 pm

OK it's time for a new can of worms....Who disrespects who more? new country steel guitar players or old country steel players....All be back in a couple of days LOL

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 9 Mar 2011 3:59 am

Scott H.,

I'm not aware of steel players of different age groups showing disrespect for one another. On the average, I suspect there are few who are habitual malcontents. There are those who are inflexible to standards of good conduct, albeit the percentages are very low, which enables others to avoid personal contacts with that group of belittling entities.

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 9 Mar 2011 7:22 am

Bill with all do respect this thread is disrespectful to the "new steeler" I didn't mention anything in my post about an age difference. I said "new country" vs "Old country" Perhaps hot licks are in the ear of the beholder. I hear a lot of hot licks in new country and I hear a lt of crap....same could be said for old country...Someday we'll all come together.....maybe

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 9 Mar 2011 10:39 am

Scott H.,

Most assuredly, the likelihood of me showing disrespect for others engaged in the learning process of playing steel guitars is nil. I have no interest in such behaviorism. For those who do condone such behavior, please be forewarned that I always consider the sources of indignation.

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 9 Mar 2011 3:47 pm

and yet you are not hearing any "Hot Licks" I suggest you research Randall Currie, Tim Sargeant, or Tyler Hall... It's not completely about steel guitar it's about music...

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 9 Mar 2011 5:56 pm

I hope you'll agree that the hot licks are vanishing faster than they can be replaced in recording sessions. One must do a lot of searching, to find one hot lick these days. I hear a lot of scales played on the pedal steel, but as for hot licks, they are becoming a thing of the past.

Bill, listen to this tune, and then tell me again that hot licks are vanishing.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17784156/23%20S ... 20Town.m4a

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 9 Mar 2011 7:05 pm

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for proving my point Barry....Would that whirl of scales and style be A certain Paul Franklin???? Nice very nice...

Tom Quinn · Post by **Tom Quinn** » 9 Mar 2011 7:41 pm

Santa Claus is coming to town??????

Hot picking by the pro's pro but good lordy there's a bright and wonderful world out there...

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 10 Mar 2011 7:16 am

Scott,

To say that so and so has created a "lick" that keeps getting replay by enthused steel guitarists, stirs up excitement among those who have yet to hear the recording. Serious "pickers" waste no time as a rule, familiarizing themselves with what all the "talk" is about. I have in my possession such a recording, one that will lay waste to the overconfident steel guitarist. I plan to locate the video and sound track in my large collection, from musical events, and present it to forum members soon. I'm satisfied that there is always room for improvement in the studies associated with the pedal steel guitar.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 10 Mar 2011 7:39 am

Barry,

Thanks to LES PAUL, from what I'm hearing, The ELECTRONICS make many things easily attainable, as opposed to not succeeding, if the recording was actually made by plugging straight from steel into the amplifier input. Years ago, I walked into a music outlet here in Pittsfield, to purchase thumb picks and strings. The manager plugged a guitar that I was allowed to play into the "WORKS". I just couldn't believe how the the guitar came "alive" with sounds I'd never heard before. I had a flashback when I heard "PAUL'S" recording.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 10 Mar 2011 7:57 am

Thanks to LES PAUL, from what I'm hearing, The ELECTRONICS make many things easily attainable, as opposed to not succeeding, if the recording was actually made by plugging straight from steel into the amplifier input.

Bill, I think I can assure you that Les Paul didn't have anything to do with this performance in any way. Now back to the hot licks. After hearing this, do you still think they are vanishing?? That is my question to you, sir.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 10 Mar 2011 8:42 am

Barry,

Vanishings happen to to be in a category of unusual events that can occur over a large spread of years. Or, they can occur rather suddenly like a bad headache, or a bad odor. When I mentioned LES PAUL, I've known for years that his heydays were in the '50's, long before hot licks became traditional artistries amongst our best "pickers". "How High The Moon" was a multiple recording also that drove guitar players up a wall trying to do the impossible. When you attempt to move in on me with multiple recordings, they don't measure up to the one shot "deal" that is difficult to redo.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 10 Mar 2011 8:47 am

When you attempt to move in on me with multiple recordings, they don't measure up to the one shot "deal" that is difficult to redo.

Bill, I'm only talking about one recording - Paul's rendering of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." Stop playing obtuse, and answer the question.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 10 Mar 2011 9:35 am

Two decades ago the main complaint I heard about steel on the radio was that it was a lot of fast notes with little thought or musical sense behind them. Too many "hot licks", driven by the pick blocking craze.

Today things have settled down a bit. There's more emphasis on tone and the signature steel licks in tunes (if they exist) are easier to play. I think that some of this has to do with the maturing of Paul Franklin as a studio artist.

I don't follow these trends too closely, though. I disagree with Bill Hankey's basic premise. The variety of steel guitar styles being played today includes everything from hot licks to subtle ambiance. Expanding our musical palette doesn't diminish the quantity of hot licks being played - it only reduces the size of the slice in a much larger pie.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 10 Mar 2011 10:18 am

Barry,

OK, pick up the marbles, I can't tell a lie. Paul is so advanced in his picking style, I seriously doubt if he has an equal living today. The words of the late JIMMY DAY should bring back memories of how he handled speed pickers of the 60's. He took a deep breath before exclaiming that if he could play that fast he wouldn't. Buddy Emmons met the seasoned PETE DRAKE on a particular day at his office. (I assume his office) The story has it, BUDDY played a hot lick for PETE, and asked if he could do that. At that point PETE pulled out a fist full of "C" notes, and while flicking them like playing cards, asked BUDDY, can you do this? I hope nothing I've written is exaggerated. There is still hope for those who play great steel, without the ability to crank up to PAUL'S phenomenal leadership.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 10 Mar 2011 10:49 am

Barry,

OK, pick up the marbles, I can't tell a lie. Paul is so advanced in his picking style, I seriously doubt if he has an equal living today.

Probably right, Bill, but, THE POINT I WAS TRYING TO GET ACROSS is that "hot licks" are simply not vanishing, and that song was but one small example of that truism.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 10 Mar 2011 10:56 am

b0b,

Originally, I felt that the COUNTRY MUSIC is changing to accomodate the hordes of nonspecific attendees flocking to open concerts, held at locations where large crowds enrich the coffers of various promoters. To know the percentages of hard-core country fans mingled within the crowds, would explain quite vividly the illusion of betterment in the trendings toward better country music. Hard-core country music is fading. Its greatest days have passed. I mean to say, who bothers to listen to Johnny Paycheck sing his "APARTMENT NUMBER NINE"? Still, no singers to my knowledge, can match his recording of the lyrics.

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 10 Mar 2011 10:57 am

he has an equal living today.

Bill, equal to what? From a personal stance, wifey has climbed the corporate ladder much faster than I, and so has her paycheck. A definite imbalance there, but no complaints except when I hear my pedal mashing is more loved than what needs to be....loved...oh well...I'm not complaining

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 10 Mar 2011 11:08 am

Gary,

Listen to the recording that Barry posted. I can't foresee anyone besting that arrangement. The hand is much quicker than the eye. Paul is in that group of pickers! It would be silly to say, I'll watch to "see" what he is doing. He's simply too fast to fathom his moves.

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 10 Mar 2011 12:12 pm

too fast to fathom his moves

I did listen Bill; adjust your ears as a listener of appreciation instead of digesting fathomable moves.

Tom Quinn · Post by **Tom Quinn** » 10 Mar 2011 12:46 pm

I think I'm getting carsick...

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 10 Mar 2011 1:38 pm

Gary,

I was enthralled after hearing Chet Atkins play, and then after hearing Buddy Emmons, and more recently, Paul Franklin. It would be difficult to surpass that level of dedication to any three players. I have an eternal yearning to satisfy my cravings for good music.