Robert Randolph

[Jif]

Got a steer to this guy from a drum forum, first time I've come across him. A bit different, playing with a shubb bar.

[SteelieAJK]

Robert Randolph is great, but also check out the tradition he came from. Sacred Steel abounds with fine steel players.
Del Grace's Tube Channel has loads of fabulous Sacred Steel.

[Will C]

Yeah, he plays a 13 string Uni. I see he's bust a string in this one. The Dutch bit that flashes on screen says "In 2004 Eric Clapton took RR on tour with him. The American magazine Rolling Stone rates him as one of the top 100 guitarists ever." I'm delighted to see that he refuses to pigeonhole the steel as a country-only instrument. It is what you make of it.

[henry]

think JD posted this a while back..

Robert Randolph Rig Rundown. not sure how seriously he's taking it but it's interesting to see his gear and he's pretty funny..

[Ken Byng]

Robert is a member of the US steel forum, although he doesn't post on there too often. He has got his own thing going, but he certainly divides opinion over there in the USA. Most of the diehard purists hate his bluesy/rock style of playing, while others love it. I am in the camp of the latter.

Bobbe Seymour knew Robert from a young boy - around 7 years of age - and encouraged him to do his own thing. Robert likes the country and jazz players, Lloyd Green, Doug Jernigan etc, but doesn't try to emulate them. He's too busy carving out a niche on a different path to them.

I think that what Robert proves is that the steel guitar is the ultimate blues machine.

[mandosteve]

I saw Robert Randolph & The Family Band a few years ago at Hyde Park (Hard Rock Calling with Clapton headlining). He was first on the main stage so not everyone in the audience was in and settled but they absolutely rocked it. I hadn't really heard much about them before I went, but I'm glad I turned up on time as they were arguably the best band of the day - certainly the most fun! He's an absolute monster musician.

[Jif]

I'd heard of sacred steel but this is the first time I've really had a listen, I like it, don't know if I could listen to it for long periods but it certainly is alive, alive O

13 string Uni? It would be interesting to see what his copedent is. Great video, I've tried using a cry baby but wasn't really suitable for what I was doing at the time, might give it another go. Tried using an Ebow a while back, pretty interesting but would be better if you could use it on more than one string!

Well variety being the spice of life I think there is room for "traditional" pedal steel and other styles such as this. It's just great seeing the instrument being used in other genres. I've come to the conclusion that the pedal steel is the guitarists guitar, there doesn't seem to be any style you can't play on it with enough work and it has so many dimensions that a 6 string doesn't have. In many ways the pedal steel is the most fluid and versatile instrument I've played.

Great player