Leon Rhodes: Guitar

Joel Glassman · Post by **Joel Glassman** » 30 Nov 2000 3:20 pm

I love his playing especially in the 50s and 60s. He's on Buddy Charleton's "Almost to Tulsa", on a bunch of ET's music, and also on Buddy Emmons' 1975 "Steel Guitar" recording.
His solo on a live version of Rose City Chimes with Buddy & the Texas Troubadors is hysterically funny-later music is more conventional. Any good examples of early uninhibited playing from him?
His playing reminds me of a bit of Jimmy Bryant, Jimmy Rivers, and Hank Garland.
Do these names bring anyone else to mind?
thanks, Joel

P Gleespen · Post by **P Gleespen** » 1 Dec 2000 6:06 am

All the Texas Troubadour "solo" records (without ET) are just great. Each one has at least one or two cuts where Leon just rips it up. I was just listening to some great Troubadour stuff from the Bear Family ET Box Sets this morning on the commuter rail.

I know what you mean about the comedy factor. Leon definitely seems to be crackin' a grin sometimes.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 2 Dec 2000 6:23 pm

No doubt, Leon is one of the finest guitar country guitar players around! I also think it was guys like Leon, Jimmy Bryant, Hank Garland, and Les Paul that inspired not only guitar players, but steelmen as well for many decades, by adapting fast "Jazz stylings" to Country Music.

Leon's "Rhodes-Bud Boogie" is still my all-time favorite twin number. This guy was "pushing the envelope" when stamps were still 3 cents!

Boomer · Post by **Boomer** » 2 Dec 2000 10:18 pm

Most of us six-string players pale in comparison to both what he knows and what he's forgotten on guitar. Best, Boomer

Earl Erb · Post by **Earl Erb** » 3 Dec 2000 6:21 pm

What else can I say...I love Leon Rhodes and what a sweet guy he is.I am proud to say he's a friend.

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 3 Dec 2000 6:37 pm

I must admit, I only know the Troubs by rep, of course they had some pretty cool members, but i've never heard any of the groups singles or albums.
Is there any chance someone could list them, or recommend any to look for.
Somehow I doubt the CD age has caught up with them, but i could be wrong.

Jason

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 4 Dec 2000 5:39 am

Leon has always amazed me. I heard part of the ET record show Saturday night (Sunday morning) and Leon really sounded good. Too bad the Opry management though he was ready for the retirement home.

(Weldon sounded good Saturday night too).

Tele · Post by **Tele** » 4 Dec 2000 8:46 am

Jason,

as always Bear Family did a fine job of reiussuing their stuff on the E.T. box that covers the years 1961-67 I think. Don't have the title handy but check with their website at www.bear-family.de

Andy<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Tele on 04 December 2000 at 08:47 AM.]</p></FONT>

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 4 Dec 2000 11:00 am

JASON: A good example of Rhodes/Charlton work without ET is "Ernest Tubb presents The Texas Troubadours"..Decca (DL74459)on vinyl. Maybe you can find it on a re-issue somewhere. To this day I still play Charlton's arrangements from that album of Pan Handle Rag, and The Waltz You Saved For Me.

Rich Paton · Post by **Rich Paton** » 5 Dec 2000 10:46 pm

Leon's solos on the Texas Troubadours cut "Honey Fingers" is just amazing, and one of the best examples of "melody contouring" I've ever heard.
The countouring I mention is the shape of the lead line on the staff, which when so expertly done makes the part flow effortlessly, from start to finish.
Just amazing guitar playing, and that tune sounds like it was cut totally live.

John Paul Jones · Post by **John Paul Jones** » 13 Dec 2000 7:33 am

Here's a point of interest, I hope.

While working in Tennessee in 1970 my guitar needed the frets dressed. Someone suggested Leon Rhodes and gave me his phone. He agreed to work on my guitar and gave me a time and his address.

After he had done a fine job on my guitar and I was leaving he happened to mention that he was going back into his house and practice. I asked him, "What could there possibly be that you need to practice". His reply was that he needed to practice not lifting his fingers on his left hand so high when he played.

This was a point I had never even thought of.

John Paul Jones

Joel Glassman · Post by **Joel Glassman** » 13 Dec 2000 9:31 am

Interesting-I think you can hear that in his mid 70s playing. He is phrasing more evenly--
the way jazz players I know who place their thumbs in the middle of the neck (and tap with the "fingerprint" area of the finger.)

BTW I also think its important for steel players to keep their left hand near the strings

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 13 Dec 2000 3:58 pm

Jason...

E-mail me your address, and I will put their best stuff on a cassette for you. (I have most all of their albums)