I know it’s a bit early for this..

[Danny Mitchell]

Ha, ha! I got left behind at the count in, Ken!
The chops on these guys are unbelievable, thanks for posting.

[Gary James Peters]

Not Chritmassy enough for me.

Other than that though, pretty swift!!

Thanks Ken...I think it's 1:0 to you. I'll shut up now, and go have another listen to that.

I've always loved Brent Mason mind, proper player.

G

[Ken Byng]

Ha, ha! I got left behind at the count in, Ken!
The chops on these guys are unbelievable, thanks for posting.

Aren't they just Danny. There is a guy on YouTube called Arnie Newman who breaks down Brent Mason's solo note for note. Unless you're a thumb pick player, it's doubtful if the solo can be played, especially with a standard plectrum. It's probably 100mph quicker than anything that Albert has ever recorded. Brent is reported as saying that he hadn't heard the track before he got in the studio. He listened to what had been put down, practised his break a couple of times and then went for it. Clever b d!! I have several Brent Mason albums, including one that he recorded with his brother. The only other guitarist that I would put in Brent's league is Brad Paisley - another astonishing picker.

While PF's solo is mind blowing, I still prefer to hear the steel played with a bit of emotion. But that's only my personal taste.

[Gary James Peters]

Ken, your final thought is the key to everything. That's why PF (truly great though he is, and a lovely chap for sure) would never be my desert island steel player. Not 100% sure who would be, but not him sad to say.

G

[Ken Byng]

Mike Johnson and Buck Reid would dead heat a desert island companion for me out of the modern steelies. Great players and the two nicest guys I've ever come across. Sometimes a guy plays so fast that he disappears up his own orifice. They don't.

[bradsteel]

I love that Mark O’Connor track Ken - the whole New Nashville Cats thing actually. Look at the credits on the album; I’ve never seen so many virtuosos!

I certainly agree that only very few could chop like Paul does on that track. I’d have said the same names as you, but with the inclusions of Travis Toy and Randle Currie - incredible speed demons in their own right.

[Gary James Peters]

Thinking about what Ken said yesterday here about preferring 'emotional' players to hyper-fast technicians disappearing up there own...(you know the rest), I wholeheartedly agree except for one semantic quibble (sorry, I wasn't a Professor of Philosophy for 10 years for nuffin'!!), I think the word 'soul' or 'soulful' comes closer to what's at stake than 'emotion.' Emotion is too subjective (I'm thinking Zane King, Sarah Jory...etc...who leave me cold I'm afraid), while 'soul' is something universal, something the steel guitar captures perfectly. For me, the best players have soul, feel, taste and judgement, and I think the last three, in particular, are deeply interconnected. So, with these in mind, a player like Greg Leisz might be on my desert island shortlist. And (of course) he plays a Williams...good lad!

With all of that in mind, I spent some happy hours this morning trying to illustrate my point to myself at least: here's the result...I think it's quite soulful in a 'less is more' kind of way.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/user-581188416/soul-train[/soundcloud]

In addition, I owe thanks to Ken for some old posts of his regarding the Roland Cube 80x combo. I bought one the other day on the strength of his approval and wow! This little song is the first time I've tried to record it. I'm really looking forward to getting the best out of it.

[Ken Byng]

I remember a few years ago at the Dallas Steel Jamboree, I was sitting next to my friend Charles Tilley who is on the committee of the Jamboree. Zane King happened to be on the main stage. He told the audience that he had received a request to play one of his speed pickin' numbers. A couple of minutes into the number Charles and I just looked at each other and agreed that what we were hearing was totally unmusical. At times it sounded like an insect buzzing. If a steel player or any musician of any instrument is going to play at such a speed that the sound coming out is just a blur of notes, it's just a turn off for me. I once sat about four feet from Doug Jernigan when he was doing his thing, and I could hear every note in every run. It was musical. Likewise, I spent an afternoon at Buck Reid's home and he played stuff that was swift to say the least, but what he was playing was out and out jazz. It was very melodic at the same time.

I like Zane, Travis Toy et al of the current speed pickers, but after one number I find it gets a little boring. Buddy set the pace for fast picking, but his playing was always mesmerising and interesting.

[bradsteel]

“Sounded like an insect buzzing” - I love this Ken, what a great line lol!

[hickenjr]

I remember a few years ago at the Dallas Steel Jamboree, I was sitting next to my friend Charles Tilley who is on the committee of the Jamboree. Zane King happened to be on the main stage. He told the audience that he had received a request to play one of his speed pickin' numbers. A couple of minutes into the number Charles and I just looked at each other and agreed that what we were hearing was totally unmusical. At times it sounded like an insect buzzing. If a steel player or any musician of any instrument is going to play at such a speed that the sound coming out is just a blur of notes, it's just a turn off for me. I once sat about four feet from Doug Jernigan when he was doing his thing, and I could hear every note in every run. It was musical. Likewise, I spent an afternoon at Buck Reid's home and he played stuff that was swift to say the least, but what he was playing was out and out jazz. It was very melodic at the same time.

I like Zane, Travis Toy et al of the current speed pickers, but after one number I find it gets a little boring. Buddy set the pace for fast picking, but his playing was always mesmerising and interesting.

A big part of me wishes I had incredible speed but part of me is glad I don't sound like an insect buzzing...unless I've had a few pints.