Susan Alcorn - BJ Cole - Recording?

[steve honest]

hi Invisible man
you miss my point, by a country mile.
steve honest

[Arcada]

Guys, heated debate is fine but personal insults and abusive language is crossing the line.

I've had to edit three posts, and one user has been warned for using particulary offensive language which will not be tolerated.

[Ken Byng]

Im not saying dont have an Opinion, but [abusive language removed].
steve

This is a bigoted view as it tries to stifle any opposition to a certain viewpoint, (established or otherwise) or you are an anus. (we don’t swear on here mate)

If I remember rightly, when the subject was discussed on the last Forum it was about the first clip being described as music, sound effects or noise. It was done to death so any further comment would only be digging up past controversy.

Not one single person on here has ever doubted Susan’s musical ability, just the definition of some of her offerings. Everybody has the right to their view without being intimidated by name-calling. You may agree or not, but that’s what the Forum is about.

Ken,
How can you say Paul challenged the standard playing styles of Hal, Lloyd, Weldon, Buddy, and John H. etc. They all had their own individual, recognisable style, as does Paul. If anything, Paul is an amalgamation of the best in all of them. His E9 stuff is PURE down home, inspired country playing. It’s nothing to be ashamed of playing Country you know. You seem to be showing the same intolerance to country playing as criticising others for their intolerance to Susan’s playing.

I’m sure you don’t really mean it Ken, or you wouldn’t be playing in a Country band yourself.

Country players have played on loads of pop stuff and it still hasn’t broken the back of acceptance any more than Robert Randolph. I suspect if you asked the average person what instrument he is playing (without looking) they would probably say a standard guitar. I’ve always thought it needed one person to make the breakthrough, but if Paul couldn’t do it with Dire Straits it makes you wonder.

I think that Paul Franklin's 'style' is very different to the others that I quoted in my post. It is and was a C change from the staccatto stuff that Lloyd, Hal and Weldon were coming out with on Nashville recordings in the 1960's & 70's. It was a more modern style if you like, but I am not saying it was better or worse or more or less country - just different. I know that when Paul first came to Nashville, he was collared by both Weldon and Hal who wanted to learn more about his pick blocking methods.

Lloyd told me in an email recently that the reason why he doesn't do many sessions these days is because his style is considered to be 'old fashioned'. The likes of Franklin, Mike Johnson etc are taking the pedal steel into new areas in Nashville recordings. I have been one of Lloyd's biggest admirers for many years and consider him to be the most emulated player ever. He plays with more feel than just about anybody, but things have moved on. I can't hear Lloyd's style in anything that Paul F plays - sorry.

I wasn't knocking country steel guitar. Far from it - it has earned me a load of money over the years and I am grateful for that. My point that I was trying to make was that very little E9 stuff in recent years has been completely and radically different from where it was 10 years ago. Loads of first string full tone raise licks (thank you Paul F), and quick pedal flicks.

OK - Susan Alcorn's music is an acquired taste and is never going to appeal to the average steel player. I wouldn't go out and buy one of her albums, but I can at least appreciate where she is coming from and where she wants to take the instrument. Different is fine for me, and she can play.

Put up a post on the US Forum about Robert Randolph, Susan Alcorn or Jerry Garcia and you will immediately incur the wrath of the mainstream country players. Such a shallow view to vilify those who choose to be different.

Basil - yes the steel guitar is much more than just country E9th. I just gave that as an example of where to be different can sometimes be an advantage. You have your own style and use different tunings that you have devised over the years. I haven't had the courage to do that myself and get away from the E9/C6 standard.

[Ken Byng]

What a pity that this topic has resulted in the banning of one individual, and a member deciding to leave the forum. It is possible to articulate a point of view without having to resort to writings that are likely to cause offence. A great shame.