The Steel Guitar Forum

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 29 Jan 2003 5:16 pm

Jeff, I'm not familiar with Feet Rogers and perhaps I'm not the only one. If you would kindy tells us about him, it would be appreciated. Thanks

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 29 Jan 2003 5:20 pm

Which recordings of both David and Benny are your favorites ... ??

[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 29 January 2003 at 05:32 PM.]

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 29 Jan 2003 6:00 pm

Feet Rogers, at least to me, epitomizes Hawaiian soul music. There are many flashier, more technical players in the ranks of great Hawaiian steelers but few whose playing moves me like his always does. His harmonic playing was exceptionally beautiful - like a wave crashing on a rock and receeding to reveal a handful of diamonds. [This message was edited by Andy Volk on 29 January 2003 at 06:01 PM.]

Jeff Strouse · Post by **Jeff Strouse** » 29 Jan 2003 8:08 pm

Is he the same David Rogers that played with the Sons of Hawaii?

If so, I love their music! He uses the "plunking" effect (for lack of a better description) with wonderful results.

By plunking, I'm referring to the muted sound made when you rest your picking palm right at the bridge...just enough to mute the sustain as you pick the strings.

David Rogers (Feets) is very versatile in this technique. It's a nice effect. Pick up a Sons of Hawaii disc with him on it, and you won't be disappointed![This message was edited by Jeff Strouse on 30 January 2003 at 07:59 AM.]

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 29 Jan 2003 10:21 pm

Feets took the steel into uncharted territory. If you want to hear soulful playing, look no further. Most everything he did in the studio was one take, and that was after hearing only a taste of the song, just to get the gist. The Sons of Hawaii were a true super group, even tho the personel were hardly known outside Hawaii. Sadly, his recorded output was very little and his style was confined to only Hawaiian, as per the instructions by the leader of the group. But he could play whatever he wanted(outside the group)and did so uniquely. Their music is timeless, and will take you places you won't believe. All the albums they put out are great, but I'd suggest the early stuff only because you also get the greatest Hawaiian musician ever, Gabby Pahinui(another great steeler)in the mix on guitar and vocals. As Jeff S. said, "you will not be disappointed".

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Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 29 Jan 2003 10:51 pm

What tunings did feet's like to use and what kind of steels did he play, anybody Know? I think I read something about D9 tuning some where but can't be sure. Also, what was his legal name? Thanks[This message was edited by Jesse Pearson on 29 January 2003 at 10:53 PM.]

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 29 Jan 2003 11:01 pm

Jesse, he's mostly known for the Rick B6 with strings over, but was also known to use a fry pan. He certainly wasn't a rich guy, a merchant seaman by trade, and sometimes didn't even own a guitar. I don't have his fave tuning in my head at the moment, and unless someone beats me to it, I'll get it for you asap.

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Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 29 Jan 2003 11:22 pm

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 30 Jan 2003 6:36 am

Here are some audio examples of Feet Rogers from the Sons of Hawaii "Music Of Old Hawaii" CD (early 1960's recording). This is a must-have CD. Get it from mele.com, it's hard to find this disk elsewhere. The audio examples are in RealAudio so the fidelity is not 100%. The CD has been restored beautifully though.

Feet was very "rootsy-folky" in his approach IMHO. Very laid back and relaxed.
http://www.mele.com/v3/info/2593.htm

Listen to Feet on these cuts:
Maile iau li ili' i (hot fast number)
Ha nohea 'oe i ku'u maka
Kanuai
Sanoe (harmonics at the end of cut)
Pua Kukui
'Ama 'ama

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 30 Jan 2003 7:29 am

"Feets" was a delicate player if you get my gist. His harmonics were always in taste. I often think Bobby Ingano is a reincarnation of "Feets". Another of the Rogers clan was the great George Rogers. Listening to him made one realize what he didn't play made his playing so beautiful...and that's meant as a compliment. He was awesome!

Jeff Strouse · Post by **Jeff Strouse** » 30 Jan 2003 7:58 am

Jeff, I like your analogy to Count Basie.

Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 30 Jan 2003 9:51 am

I had a college prof who taught music and played alto sax like Charlie Parker, he would use the term "ala Basie" to indicate restraint in a line.

David "feet" Rogers, was the nephew of Benny Rogers. Benny used a E7th tuning.

Hale Seabury Akaka said he got a D tuning from a student of Feets,"Fred Lunt" :
Low to high (A D F# A D F#).

John Ely however says it is the double octave D, D major tuning found in Jeff's post.

I like the way Feet Rogers sounds on the cut "He Nohea'Oe I Ku' Maka". Makes me think of early Hawaiian cowboys. Thanks for the link Gerald...!

[This message was edited by Jesse Pearson on 30 January 2003 at 12:17 PM.]

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 30 Jan 2003 10:11 am

I read that both were "very protective" of their family's tunings ... is that true ???

If so ... y'all better watch out ... I just saw a Travel Channel special on "Hawaiian Spirits/Ghosts" ....

John Tipka · Post by **John Tipka** » 30 Jan 2003 11:29 am

Hale Seabury-Akaka is Alan Akaka's NEPHEW.

Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 30 Jan 2003 12:26 pm

Mr. Tipka, I really like your web site. Sent you a couple of E mails in the past but no response? My Computer was down a few times last year for maint. I was wondering if I could buy any Tabs of your Hawaiian arrangements. I learned "Aloha Oe" from Brads page of steel that you tabbed out and really liked it alot!

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 30 Jan 2003 12:39 pm

Bill Flores · Post by **Bill Flores** » 30 Jan 2003 9:36 pm

I grew up hearing Hawiian steel since my Dad played that style.I got the chance to hear recordings by all the great players.To my ears David "Feet" Rodgers was the most soulful and rootsy player,always the right phrase and tone , the perfect complement to the vocalist and most beautiful solo.

Gary Slabaugh · Post by **Gary Slabaugh** » 30 Jan 2003 10:01 pm

Jeff,

You have redeemed yourself from kicking the hornets nest. I will need to seek out some recordings, for some reason the web site would not play for me.

Bob Stone · Post by **Bob Stone** » 31 Jan 2003 8:10 am

Jeff, I have the later LP, but not the CD--yet.

I have given a very quick listen to the CD on Real Audio and compared it to the LP, played on my stereo. To me the CD, which was made from older recordings, has a generally lower fidelity sound. The dynamic range sounds compressed and the frequency response seems limited--like one might expect from an older recording. Also the steel on the CD seems louder in the mix, which can cause your ears to hear a difference in timbre, usually a little "harder."

That said, here are a few more comments. First, you might be sure Rogers used the same steel on both recordings, but how about his amp? Even if he used the same amp he might have changed his settings from time to time. Assuming the sound coming from his amp was recorded by a microphone (or two mics) in both cases, the sound qualities would be influenced by mic placement, individual mic choice, etc. Tape speed can make a big difference. Once recorded, the sound can be further altered by compression, EQ and other signal modifiers as well as the overall mix.
Also, do we know if thge CD was made from master tapes or old records. I don't notice much surface noise, so it probably was made from the tapes.

There is really no telling what was done in the studio for sure. Then there is the question of what was done during the "restoration" and conversion to CD.

In my experience, it is tricky to judge tone from a recording.

By the way, I appreciate your stirring things up. You have raised some interesting issues.

And yes, I'm a big fan of Feets (and Gabby). There is a lot of expression in his playing.

Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 31 Jan 2003 8:47 am

[This message was edited by Jesse Pearson on 10 June 2003 at 12:32 PM.]

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 31 Jan 2003 2:28 pm

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 31 Jan 2003 3:06 pm

Jeff, I tend to agree with your concerns...I think that today we over-analyize what we do. The older performers concerned themselves with whether they "sounded good", and not with the technical qualities of what they did! www.genejones.com

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 3 Feb 2003 3:26 pm

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 3 Feb 2003 4:02 pm

Feet is shown here with a Bakelite, but I always thought he played a frypan. Did he record with a Bakelite or Frypan?