Greg Leisz with Eric Clapton in 2013

Matt Elsen · Post by **Matt Elsen** » 18 Sep 2012 9:59 am

Saw this announcement today. I wonder whether the same lineup will tour the US?

Eric ClaptonAnnounces 2013 UK Concerts
Including Five Nights at The Royal Albert Hall
Celebrating his 50th year as a professional musician, Eric Clapton announced today a limited number of 2013 UK concerts including five nights at London's famed Royal Albert Hall. After signing with the Yardbirds in 1963, Clapton began a career as a professional musician that has seen numerous bands, an abundance of albums, countless worldwide sold out shows, an impressive array of accolades, unwavering critical acclaim and his consistent display of legendary guitar work. These concerts will mark his return to the stage after spending 2012 in the studio working on a new album to be released in early 2013.
Clapton has assembled an impressive band for the 2013 dates which will consist of long-time touring partners: Doyle Bramhall II (guitar), Steve Jordan (drums), Chris Stainton (piano and keyboards), and Willie Weeks (bass), along with newcomers Paul Carrack (organ and keyboards) and Greg Leisz (pedal steel guitar). Michelle John and Sharon White will join the touring band again as backing vocalists.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 18 Sep 2012 10:21 am

Does G.L. play pedal steel guitar? I thought not, but could be wrong about that...

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 18 Sep 2012 10:30 am

I don`t know if Greg plays pedal steel with Clapton but he sure does everywhere else.....

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 18 Sep 2012 10:41 am

Jim Cohen wrote:Does G.L. play pedal steel guitar? I thought not, but could be wrong about that...

To add to what Olli wrote, it's possible that Greg spends as much or even more time on pedal steel than any other instrument.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 18 Sep 2012 10:48 am

Obviously, I've not been paying enough attention to him. I was only aware of his nonpedal stuff. Okay, great. Thanks for the education.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 18 Sep 2012 11:34 am

He's had a little different approach to the instrument over the years, not unlike a number of our members here whom aren't as well known in the music industry that have their own unique approach to the instrument. Probably a decade ago or more k.d. lang had this to say about Greg:

Leisz “single-handedly liberated pedal steel from the bondage of country.”

She took liberties with the statement, but after listening to Greg for many years including seeing him perform with Bill Frisell several years ago at Yoshi's jazz club in Oakland, I get her drift.

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 18 Sep 2012 11:59 am

Jim, I hope I didn't come off as a besserwisser. Wasn't my intention...

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 18 Sep 2012 12:03 pm

Olli, I'm sure there are many things that you "wisser" "besser" than I do. No worries.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 18 Sep 2012 5:38 pm

He played on a Motown hit by Brian McKnight several years ago called "Back At One". This was the first I remember hearing of him, he was definitely playing pedals.

Take a look here http://www.discogs.com/artist/Greg+Leis ... All&q=&p=1 He's played for LOT's of artists.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 18 Sep 2012 9:16 pm

I'm pretty sure I've provided the link on the Forum in the past, but if you haven't seen it, here's a pretty good piece on Greg from LA Weekly in 2004:

http://www.laweekly.com/2004-04-08/news/south-of-here/

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 18 Sep 2012 9:29 pm

And here's a cool little video of Greg recording a pedal steel part for a John Mayer record:

http://jhnmyr.tumblr.com/post/247172120 ... edal-steel

I think he'll be great with Clapton!

Chris Walke · Post by **Chris Walke** » 19 Sep 2012 8:13 am

Matt Elsen wrote:Saw this announcement today. I wonder whether the same lineup will tour the US?

Eric ClaptonAnnounces 2013 UK Concerts
Including Five Nights at The Royal Albert Hall
Celebrating his 50th year as a professional musician, Eric Clapton announced today a limited number of 2013 UK concerts including five nights at London's famed Royal Albert Hall. After signing with the Yardbirds in 1963, Clapton began a career as a professional musician that has seen numerous bands, an abundance of albums, countless worldwide sold out shows, an impressive array of accolades, unwavering critical acclaim and his consistent display of legendary guitar work. These concerts will mark his return to the stage after spending 2012 in the studio working on a new album to be released in early 2013.
Clapton has assembled an impressive band for the 2013 dates which will consist of long-time touring partners: Doyle Bramhall II (guitar), Steve Jordan (drums), Chris Stainton (piano and keyboards), and Willie Weeks (bass), along with newcomers Paul Carrack (organ and keyboards) and Greg Leisz (pedal steel guitar). Michelle John and Sharon White will join the touring band again as backing vocalists.

I'd bet he doesn't tour this band....seems his touring bands tend to be smaller. But no doubt a concert CD and/or DVD will be available at some point after these shows.

Eric Clapton & David Gilmour were my original guitar heroes. Greg Leisz became my steel guitar hero when he started playing with Frisell.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 19 Sep 2012 5:43 pm

Actually Chris, I last saw Clapton a year and a half ago in San Jose, and the number of people in the band were the same as listed above - might have been all the same folks except for Carrack - it was another keyboard player along with Stainton - and the one addition number-wise for these upcoming shows being Greg Leisz.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 20 Sep 2012 11:00 am

Maybe E.C. would need him to play the dobro parts from some of the tracks from yesterdays' records. I always liked them.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 20 Sep 2012 11:30 am

Chris Stainton... I seem to recall him being in Joe Cocker's early band, yes?

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 20 Sep 2012 11:43 am

Jim Cohen wrote:Obviously, I've not been paying enough attention to him. I was only aware of his nonpedal stuff. Okay, great. Thanks for the education.

He usually has a lap steel handy, but most of his work is pedal steel. I love what he does on Bill Frisell's albums. Check out "Pretty Stars Were Made to Shine" on Blues Dream. I had to learn it for a wedding once.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 20 Sep 2012 12:07 pm

Jim Cohen wrote:Chris Stainton... I seem to recall him being in Joe Cocker's early band, yes?

Yes, he was part of the Grease Band, he played bass when not playing the Hammond, and he wrote some great songs with Joe like " Marjorine":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDoGvABD9NY

Kevin Milner · Post by **Kevin Milner** » 20 Sep 2012 6:11 pm

Also definitely check out Sara Watkins' self title first album. Dripping with Leisz goodness, and the solo on "Poly" stops me in my tracks every time.

Joel Martin · Post by **Joel Martin** » 20 Sep 2012 6:34 pm

Jim (and everyone else!)
Check this out - if you haven't heard it, Bill Frisell did a stellar record of John Lennon songs last year and Greg is playing steel all over it.

For someone like myself who came into steel after years of guitar playing, this record is almost TOO MUCH ear candy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQB9gIju ... re=related

Chris Walke · Post by **Chris Walke** » 21 Sep 2012 6:13 am

b0b wrote:
Jim Cohen wrote:Obviously, I've not been paying enough attention to him. I was only aware of his nonpedal stuff. Okay, great. Thanks for the education.
He usually has a lap steel handy, but most of his work is pedal steel. I love what he does on Bill Frisell's albums. Check out "Pretty Stars Were Made to Shine" on Blues Dream. I had to learn it for a wedding once.

Pretty Stars is one of my favorite psg tracks. And it's so short I can't help but listen to it 2-3 times in a row. That whole Blues Dream album is stellar, but certainly not everyone's cup of tea. Gets kinda abstract. Frisell's all about building tensions. Same album has a track called Slow Dance, which shows Leisz's Hawaiian leaning (on resonator guitar).

Frisell & Leisz can weave their parts together sublimely.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 21 Sep 2012 6:23 am

I'd sure be happy not to see my name and earlier ignorant comment continuing to be cited in the remainder of this thread... I've already done my mea culpa; can we just move along now?

Chris Walke · Post by **Chris Walke** » 21 Sep 2012 7:11 am

Jim Cohen wrote:I'd sure be happy not to see my name and earlier ignorant comment continuing to be cited in the remainder of this thread... I've already done my mea culpa; can we just move along now?

Ok. We won't do it here, but I'm gonna start a new thread called "Jim Cohen Didn't Know Greg Leisz Plays Pedal Steel - - Can You Believe It??"

Many here probably know of at least dozens of psg players I've never even heard about. Everyday's an education for me.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 21 Sep 2012 7:13 am

Thanks, Chris. I knew I could count on your understanding and discretion.

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 21 Sep 2012 8:00 am

He`s a branded man, out in the cold.

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 21 Sep 2012 12:45 pm

JIM COHEN WROTE:

Does G.L. play pedal steel guitar? I thought not, but could be wrong about that...

BTW, got a Tele yet?

The Steel Guitar Forum

Greg Leisz with Eric Clapton in 2013

Greg Leisz with Eric Clapton in 2013

Re: Greg Leisz with Eric Clapton in 2013