Bill Stafford's CD, "Going Home"

John Pelz · Post by **John Pelz** » 13 Sep 2004 2:40 pm

I recently bought Bill Stafford's CD, "Going Home," and just wanted to say that if you want to hear steel guitar masterfully charting new territory, then I'd very much recommend getting this CD. This is my first exposure to Bill Stafford's playing (yup, I'm a greenhorn

), and it's really knocked my socks off. Bill's touch is phenomenal -- silky smooth -- he is "Mr. Smooth," after all!

This CD is a recital of beautiful, tasteful and tranquil melodies, ranging from "Symphony #9 by Dvorak" (a.k.a. - "Going Home") to a cool re-interpretation of The Eagle's "Desperado"; "Hawaiian Wedding Song" to the exquisite "Londonderrie." As George Keoki Lake observes in this CD's liner-notes, "Going Home" is a "very distinctive recording, a first in the steel guitar's ever-evolving stage of development. It is well deserving of a new name: the electric Concert Harp" -- a sentiment that I very much agree with.

I highly recommend this CD to anyone who wants to hear some beautiful songs played expertly and tastefully on the steel. Now that I've heard "Going Home," I know that I will be getting more of Mr. Stafford's CDs...

erik · Post by **erik** » 13 Sep 2004 3:17 pm

link?

-johnson

Greg Simmons · Post by **Greg Simmons** » 13 Sep 2004 3:57 pm

Ditto on "Going Home"!

One of the first things I do at the steel shows I can get to is to check and see when Bill's set is scheduled, as they are a must-see for me - he's so musical, smooth and tasteful

and here's a cool article.

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Greg Simmons
Custodian of the Official Sho~Bud Pedal Steel Guitar Website

[This message was edited by Greg Simmons on 14 September 2004 at 06:51 AM.]

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 13 Sep 2004 6:21 pm

John-I am glad you got that CD of Bill Staffords"s. Opened up your eyes and ears, didn't it.

I got that CD from Bill 2 or 3 years ago when he was in Grand Rapids at LT.Zinns HOF fundraising show.

I thought it was Fantastic. I hope more players will be aware of this great CD .

It is all Solos on his "Electric Harp".
Which is a good name for a Pedal steel guitar. (the name sounds like my old Gibson 1942" Electra-Harp")

Maybe it wont be associated with JUST Country and Western music and expand the popularity and acceptance of it in other types of music........al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 13 Sep 2004 7:30 pm

As John mentioned, I was honored to be asked by Bill to write the liner notes for "GOING HOME". I met Bill many years ago in Joliet and we became instant friends. It was a joy for me to sit beside him on stage as I played rhythm guitar to his masterful touch. My eyes were moist to the point I could hardly see the audience. His touch does that to you. I have never heard BEAUTIFUL KAHANA played with such feeling as when we played together that year, also this song can be heard in the movie, "My Private Idaho" and of course, on the cd. Simply beautiful !!! No other words can describe his playing. Besides his 'old smoothy' sound, he has a very fast techic whenever he lets loose! We both had a lot of fun and our friendship has endured through the years. God Bless you Bill.

Oh, just in passing, for those of you who have never heard this cd, (for shame!) the unique thing about it is the fact Bill plays SOLO throughout....no rhythm backup and no overdubs. Just beautiful smooth "Concert Harp" ... You'll love it !

[This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 13 September 2004 at 08:39 PM.]

John Pelz · Post by **John Pelz** » 14 Sep 2004 4:20 am

link?

You can obtain Bill Stafford's CDs by e-mailing him directly at schiefsan@aol.com .

Laurie Ayres · Post by **Laurie Ayres** » 14 Sep 2004 4:49 am

John:

Bill's CD is played all the time in our house too! He's not only the "smoothest" player I know but also the one of the most wonderful people I know. He and Betty are our treasuered friends. You can't go wrong buying this CD, I know you will spend hours playing it like we do! On a side note, please keep all our friends and family in the Gulfport area in your prayers with Ivan headed their way! NOW, if you want to hear some of the best playing you've ever heard...get Bill's CD, you won't be sorry! NO ONE and I mean NO ONE plays like Bill Stafford! He's full of talent! Our prayers are with you Bill & Betty, Laurie

Buck Grantham R.I.P. · Post by **Buck Grantham R.I.P.** » 14 Sep 2004 10:32 am

He's a real great player and also a super cool person....

Gerald Menke · Post by **Gerald Menke** » 15 Sep 2004 6:55 am

Hi John,

If you'd like to hear a lot of Bill, rent a DVD of "My Own Private Idaho", the soundtrack is all Bill, on his "Stafford Elegant", so cool. The film is a bit tedious, but how many other pictures have a soundtrack comprised mostly of solo pedal steel guitar? Worth checking out. I rented it a few months ago just to hear Mr. Stafford play.

Gerald

Alexander Zaalberg · Post by **Alexander Zaalberg** » 15 Sep 2004 7:52 am

Pedal-Pro Universal
playing the universal pedal steel guitar
<a href="http://www.pedalprouniversal.com">URL:http://www.pedalprouniversal.com
</a>

As you might know we have a great interview with Bill in our website. Here's the link

interview Bill Stafford


to Email us:

alexander-zaalberg@planet.nl

Alexander Zaalberg
webmaster
Pedal-Pro Universal[This message was edited by Alexander Zaalberg on 15 September 2004 at 08:53 AM.]

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 15 Sep 2004 7:55 am

I agree with Gerald...The film really has appeal to the younger generation. Frankly, I found it quite boring and disappointing. The ONLY reason I went to see it was to hear Bill's great solo steel on the large theatre speaker system. Man, that made it all so worthwhile.

John Pelz · Post by **John Pelz** » 16 Sep 2004 6:12 pm

The film really has appeal to the younger generation.

I dunno, George -- having not seen this movie, I went & read the plot-synopsis for "My Own Private Idaho" at AllMovie.com, and although I suppose that, being in my 30s, I might be considered one of the "younger generation," this movie really didn't sound too interesting to me, either. (I like horror-flicks. The dumber, the better!) Nonetheless, I reckon that I will rent "MOPI" at some point, just to hear Bill's performance. After all, as Gerald noted above, "how many other pictures have a soundtrack comprised mostly of solo pedal steel guitar?"

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 17 Sep 2004 4:13 pm

Many thanks to all my friends for their wonderful comments. Your friendship is greatly appreciated and respected. John, I am glad you are getting into our steel guitar world. You will enjoy the steel guitar and all the "magic" that is going to envelope your life from now on.
The MOPI movie was a very interesting project for me and I consider myself most fortunate to have been selected to play this musical sound track. Gus van Sant is a very unique Hollywood movie producer. After recording the sound track and really being involved in this movie, I was given a new perspective on the folks involved who were portraied by Reeves and Phoenix. It, the movie, speaks for itself - some like it, some don't and a lot of old timers do not understand it at all. Regardless, I enjoyed the experience and getting to meet and know some of that Hollywood crowd. Now, I am glad I am back home on the Mississippi coast line. lol. (Hurricane Ivan just blew through town and sorta bypassed us to the east just a little. Being in the north west quartdrant of a hurricane is the best place to be as that is the weakest circulation area) All is well here now. We were without electrical power for only one day. Thanks again folks for all the nice words.

Bill Stafford