Robert Randolph / Madison Square Garden

Bob Miano · Post by **Bob Miano** » 30 May 2002 9:48 pm

Got to see Robert Randolph & The Dave Matthews Band at Madison Square Garden in New York on Wednesday night. (This show was rescheduled from April as Dave Matthews was under the weather).....Well, with all the posts regarding Robert Randolph, I had an idea it wasn't going to be the least bit country....
and it was excellent!! Amazing what he can play and how cool it was to see the pedal steel doing something COMPLETELY different.
And to top it off....Robert came out and jammed with the Dave Matthews Band......
THAT WAS AWESOME !! Only regret was that he didn't have a longer set, but I guess they have to keep to a time schedule.
I believe Robert Randolph will be playing in Astoria (Queens) New York this Saturday if anyone has a chance to go see him.
Got to keep an open mind though !
..........
Bob

Bruce Bouton · Post by **Bruce Bouton** » 2 Jun 2002 1:25 pm

Robert Randolph has just signed a huge record deal with Warner Brothers. It's essentially a major rock deal in terms of the amount of money he recieved. As far as I know it's the is the biggest recording contract in history to be awarded a Pedal Steel Guitarist.C'mon folks let's give the man his due. Finally ,someone to take our instrument to the masses. Congratulations Robert!
Bruce Bouton

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 2 Jun 2002 1:42 pm

wow!!!
Please support this!!!!!!

Rick Garrett · Post by **Rick Garrett** » 2 Jun 2002 2:34 pm

Hey yall I love to hear the Steel sound like Stevie Ray Vaughns playing.

This guys gonna bring TONS of attention to the steel guitar. Thats great news and I hope to see him live myself. Guess it all boils down to exposure.

Rick

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 2 Jun 2002 3:31 pm

Robert Randolph has just raised the bar(musically speaking) for the steel guitar.
I think it's a good thing and because of him, more people will notice (and rightly so) people like Buddy cage, Joe wright, and Dan Tyack. I see only good things with this news.

Frank Estes · Post by **Frank Estes** » 2 Jun 2002 8:29 pm

Congrats to Robert Randolph! I know there have been some disagreements in the past on the Forum as to what the meaning of the "Randolph Phenomena" is and what it will mean in the future. That should not be misunderstood as people not wishing the best for all steel players. It was more of a discussion of how it might change the way we play and that is to be seen.

What it is, is that many of us wish that the so-called "classic style" of steel guitar could have the chance of such exposure. It is not a wish that these different approaches not succeed, but that the masses would love the steel sounds must of us grew up loving. Simple as that. No ill-will toward anyone.

Hey, I love the blues and jazz. Just tonight after church I was singing a song "Big Ben" did at the 2001 Gospel Show ("Don't Let the Devil Ride") and playing it as blusey as I could on my Tele. I am not much of a singer, but sometimes you have to sing in order to get to play the kind of song you want as an instrumental. I say that to demonstrate how I really do like various styles and forms of music.

I am surprised that more people did not get knocked out by Mike Johnson on those TNN talent shows ("You Can be a Star"). I thought Mike really showed what steel could do on all styles of music and he got the chance to do it because he was the music director. So, steel got used on songs where many music directors would leave it off.

I've got a bunch of audio tapes with Mike Johnson cool lick ideas from those shows. Somehow I visualized a bunch of steel players, like me, watching Mike and eating it up. Too bad it is no more.

Anyway, I hope Robert gives it all he has and still holds on to his sacred steel roots and that mainly means that sacred lifestyle. I hope to catch a show some time!

Sincerely,

------------------
Frank Estes - 1978 Emmons D-10 8+6 #2441D

Jeff Lampert · Post by **Jeff Lampert** » 2 Jun 2002 9:11 pm

All steel-players of good will should wish RR only the best of luck. If he does expand the profile of the instrument, and if it resonates with young kids in high school and college, then it might cause a true resurgence in new players taking up the instrument and musical groups of all types using it. This can only be for the good of all. Even if the new players start playing rock and the blues, I truly believe that they will discover the icons, and the traditional styles, same as we all did. Many, if not most of us did not start playing after hearing Emmons, Chalker, or Green, but eventually found them anyway.

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 2 Jun 2002 10:41 pm

Congrats to Robert.

I think this is great.Jeff makes some good points.And I can relate to what Franks is saying.But sadly, don't think that will ever happen.

Frank I was, and still am knocked out by Mike Johnson.And Emmons,Chalker,and Green in that order.Are the ones that made me want to play steel.