Robert Randolph?

Charley Adair · Post by **Charley Adair** » 26 Jul 2006 12:09 pm

I was thumbing thru the info guide on my dish tv and saw that Austin City Limits was on. There is hardly any country on there anymore. I saw this name (I think this is it) and thought to myself,"There will be no steel guitar on the stage". Wrong!! They were mostly black players. When I turned it on, one guy was playing a non pedal ShoBud on stand up legs, one black guy was playing a blue 12 string pgs, never could see the brand name. When I turned it back to Jay Leno, there were 4 steels total on the stage. They were played totally different than I have ever heard. Did anyone else catch this or know who these guys are or where they're from? Very interesting.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 26 Jul 2006 12:41 pm

There was a show on ACL a couple of years ago, with Robert Randolph, Aubrey Ghent, Ted Beard, and Calvin Cooke, I believe, or maybe it was Chuck Campbell.

As far as the style, they're playing "House of God" music, or what's also called often termed "Gospel Steel". Rollicking fun, with a lotta single-string stuff!

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 26 Jul 2006 12:55 pm

I would guess that was a re-broadcast of a show we discussed here.

Lee, from South Texas

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 26 Jul 2006 12:57 pm

Yes rebroadcast. It has been reruning the last few days and I was finaly able to Tivo it. Donnie had the right group Ghent, Beard, Cooke.

No Campbell.

it was really great.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 26 Jul 2006 3:22 pm

That was a great show. I loved the "Stand Up Sho-Bud".

Lee

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 26 Jul 2006 3:25 pm

I believe R.R.'s blue guitar is a Fessy, and it has 13 rather than 12 strings.

He also has a yellow Carter.

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Warning: I have a telecaster and I'm not afraid to use it.
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Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 26 Jul 2006 3:35 pm

I said "Gospel Steel" when I meant to say "Sacred steel".

[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 26 July 2006 at 04:36 PM.]

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 26 Jul 2006 6:09 pm

Charlie - more info here:
www.campbellbrothers.com

And here:
www.robertrandolph.net

Not really a "new" direction for steel, but one not well known by most country players. Some pretty amazing things happening, and a completely different approach to the instrument.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 27 Jul 2006 4:11 am

Not really a "new" direction for steel, but one not well known by most country players.

That was true 10 years ago, but by now, most of us are aware of the Sacred Steel tradition and R.R, and the Campbell Brothers and of course Lonnie Bennett, who has attended a number of steel shows and made many friends within the community.

Not everybody likes the style, but everybody knows about it.

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Warning: I have a telecaster and I'm not afraid to use it.
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My web site

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 27 Jul 2006 4:37 am

You're right Mike - I meant to say "some", not "many", as times HAVE changed.

Charley Adair · Post by **Charley Adair** » 27 Jul 2006 6:32 am

Thanks for the info, guys. I was pretty amazed by it. I have seen some things on Chuck Campbell Sacred Steel, but I had never heard it.

Michael Hardee · Post by **Michael Hardee** » 29 Jul 2006 9:37 am

I noticed Austin City limits had Robert Randolph and the Family Band on for a hour yesterday, so I thought I would tune in and check out what all the fuss about Robert Randolph was about. What a let down ... I had to turn it off after fifteen minutes, whatever he was doing just struck me as noise. Guess I'm just an old fart.

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 29 Jul 2006 9:49 am

Ah, but the important thing is that you took the time to tell the world that you thought another professional performer's playing sounded like noise. Thanks for sharing with the steel brotherhood.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 29 Jul 2006 10:30 am

"I had to turn it off after fifteen minutes"

Then you missed the best part. Your loss.

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 30 Jul 2006 12:47 am

Then you missed the best part.

The END ?

Gary Carriger · Post by **Gary Carriger** » 30 Jul 2006 6:01 am

Good one, Jon.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 30 Jul 2006 7:39 am

"Then you missed the best part.
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The END ?"

No, the fact that they didn't play any hawaiian music.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 30 Jul 2006 7:50 am

You just can't debate "good music" or "bad music". Automaticaly, whoever says something is "bad" disqualifies themselves, as it's just personal preference.

It's ALL good music - if you don't like a particular style, don't listen to it. Calling it "noise" is neither helpful nor a qualified opinon.

If there are people buying tickets, something is going right. If the audience is enjoying it, it's "good" music.

I don't particularly care for most "country music". but it's not "bad" music. I can appreciate the talents that went into making it work for its audience.

I think it's just a shame when pople diss music because of a style. Just use the "off" switch.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 30 Jul 2006 8:24 am

I watched about 20 minutes and got bored.
In the past I totally supported him, but I think he's just repeating himself and putting on a show.

He WAS quite innovative at one time. Now I think he is concentrating more in showmanship and less on music these days. Admittedly he puts on a great show, but how long can that sustain him if he continues to play the same stuff year after year?

If Randolph just continues to do what he's doing and doesn't grow as a musician, in a few years I won't be the only one finding him boring.

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Warning: I have a telecaster and I'm not afraid to use it.
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My web site

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 30 Jul 2006 8:43 am

how long can that sustain him if he continues to play the same stuff year after year?

Right, Mike. If he really wants to have a long-lasting career in the steel guitar world, he should learn to stick to:
Steel Guitar Rag
Sleepwalk
Bud's Bounce
Mansion on the Hill
Way to Survive, and
Orange Blossom Special

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 30 Jul 2006 12:25 pm

Bear in mind that the Austin City Limits show was taped in June, 2004. Citing that show as an example of a "current event" of where a musician is at wouldn't be very accurate.

That said, most musicians aren't going to sound tremendously different today than where they were over two years ago-but I think in Robert's case, it might be a little different.

The guy has absorbed a lot of influences like a sponge over the past several years, and I think a lot of it is working its way through his system, and still maturing and evolving. He has cited Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan as being very important him, and I don't think he had even heard of them until he was around 19, if memory serves from a couple of interviews I have read.

I will be very intrigued to listen to his second studio album, which is supposed to be released pretty soon, to see where he is at these days on his musical journey.

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Mark

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 30 Jul 2006 12:32 pm

Jim, I was thinking that he should learn to play some Stravinsky and Debussy.

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Warning: I have a telecaster and I'm not afraid to use it.
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My web site

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 30 Jul 2006 1:06 pm

[This message was edited by basilh on 31 July 2006 at 12:13 AM.]

Kevin Ruddell · Post by **Kevin Ruddell** » 31 Jul 2006 4:00 am

I caught the middle of the ACL show although I've heard RR on the radio a few times with his style of high energy music. I love the bass player in his band, who is his brother I think. Robert Randolph opted to bring out the older gentlemen like Aubrey Ghent to be featured , which is great IMHO. I really enjoy their style of non pedal playing. I don't recall seeing many other artists giving up their moments in the ACL national television spotlight to share their showcase with their influences and mentors as much as RR did . Hats off to him for that.

Robbie Daniels · Post by **Robbie Daniels** » 31 Jul 2006 6:42 am

I watched Randolph on the Austin City Limits show and I watched it all the way through. I am 73 and have seen, heard and played many styles. There are certain styles I prefer, but as long as it isn't rap, it's music. It would seem that many steelers have forgotten to acknowledge tht the steel guitar, whether pedal or not, has become an international instrument. Being international means being of diverse in style. I am not a great fan of Randolph's style, but I applaud him for using the steel guitar to put forth his unique talent. Having said that, let's give Randolph a break and applaud him for the talent he exudes.

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Carter D12, MSA D12, MSA S12, 1956 Rickenbacker D8, Evans FET 500LV, Evans SE200