a little surf-cowboy (as country as I get)

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 15 Nov 2005 7:17 am

Music by Pete Petre; hijacked by me.
(The Guitars of Neptune Are) Gone
This will be my swan song for a while.
I've sold the Starter and am looking for 4 more strings (like I can handle 10).
<img width=100 src=http://usera.imagecave.com/charliethemo ... ></a>
Charlie McDonald
Carter Starter
Danelectro Innuendo
Fender Bass
Gibson Classical--Pete Petre

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 15 Nov 2005 7:43 pm

Several hits; no comments?

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 15 Nov 2005 8:45 pm

Channeling Frank Zappa!

I like it. The "Made in China " stuff cracked me up. It has rough edges, but it has a charm that makes you smile.

I'd likee to say it takes a lot of guts to post your own music on a board where pro players hang. I've done it in my previous (guitar) life, and you're praying for ANY comments.

Charlie, it has a great "indie" feel to it. Keep it up.

Joy Wofford · Post by **Joy Wofford** » 15 Nov 2005 9:43 pm

Hmmmm, I like it, too. Has a kind of etheral feel to it. The guitars of Neptune might be gone, but this piece with your sound would make a good welcoming tune for visiting Neptunians (is that a word?!). Kinda reminded me of some of the background music played during Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Swaying, smooth, drifting, "lose yourself to it" music. Even a little bit of a jazz feel to it in places.

I like that you're trying all kinds of different styles and sounds, Charlie. You're not afraid to tackle any "kind" of piece, and in so doing you've really expanded your learning base. Every time you post a new soundclip of your work, I'm as interested in WHAT you chose, as in HOW you play it. I truly believe that what you play is as important as how you play it, because obviously something that you personally enjoy playing is easier, smoother, and more apt to show your passion for it. You seem to enjoy playing stuff that really puts a piece of yourself "out there", and I think that's pretty cool. That takes a certain amount of guts to do because we all know that certain things are considered unconventional on here and can be frowned upon by the majority.

Of course, who cares what the majority thinks, huh? Progress was never made by being a follower all of the time. Keep doing your own thing, it's working.

I can hardly wait to hear 14 strings with your sound and touch. Hope you keep posting clips when you get it....the evolution of man and his steel is a wonderful thing!

Kudos.....Joy

Edited cause I can't count strings!! Geeesh

[This message was edited by Joy Wofford on 16 November 2005 at 02:02 PM.]

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 16 Nov 2005 4:54 am

Channeling Frank Zappa!

Can't think of a better compliment, Jim! (at least, I'll take it as a compliment; as you say, sometimes ANY comment is a positive one).

The 'guitars from Neptune (New Jersey)' are Danelectros.
And thank you for your thoughtful comments, Joy. Perhaps no one gets as much out of what I do as me; but that seems to be the point. Yes, I'm starting to have fun.

Wo/Man and steel; the biosynthesis. No telling what can come of it.

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 16 Nov 2005 10:44 am

Charle.. having owned several "guitars from Neptune' [ORIGINAL Danos and Silvertone/Danos], I was delighted with the tune.. You are now starting to get a few of the standard E9 country licks under your belt.. I have listened to what you've been submitting, and this is more or less a first, and they are somewhat essential to the learning process IMHO.. don't neglect those "roots licks" even if you aren't going to play much country..It was good to see you incorporate them..

This steel part was a little "pitchy" compared to the last tune you posted, but I have a feeling it was your adding a lot more notes and the country licks that may have contributed to this.. The more notes a new steel guitarist plays in a given passage, the more "in between' he/she is with bar placement and pedal/knee positioning/timing.
Just something to keep in mind... I'm not much qualified to make such determinations, but that was the way it was with me,eons ago.. As always,I love the way the Musical Form and Functional Capacity portion of your brain works, and I just can't stress enough how much I LOVE the fact that you are letting ALL us steelers in to your "secret place".. hearing all the good, bad, and undecided that a new steel guitarist comes up with... You are a one of a kind in my book Charlie,... You are making excellent progress..

BTW, as far as that 14 string.. God Bless... better you than me!!!!

... bob

Brendan Dunn · Post by **Brendan Dunn** » 16 Nov 2005 2:24 pm

Nice pedal steel work Charlie! [This message was edited by Brendan Dunn on 17 November 2005 at 08:29 PM.]

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 16 Nov 2005 3:00 pm

I love your imagination, originality and willingness to take chances. Keep up the good work.

Michael Barone · Post by **Michael Barone** » 16 Nov 2005 5:36 pm

Nice playing Charlie, that was fun listening. I agree with Jim, thoughtful originality. It appears that, not too far from now, we may be copying some of your licks if you keep this up.

Mike