For Episode 10 of Steel, we meet Chris Parker, a deep guitarist living in Brooklyn who has found some incredible ways of copping classic pedal steel sounds on a plain old six-string guitar with just his fingers and a slide. Chris is a fixture on the Brooklyn guitar scene. Most nights of the week you can catch him backing up songwriters, playing fully improvised music, or leading his own band, Guru Complex. Chris and I discuss the evolution of his singular slide guitar sound, his approach to practice and improvisation, and the realities of being a professional musician in New York. We also get to hear Chris make his guitar sound like pedal steel and a few other wild instruments. Check out the following links to learn more about Chris and his music: https://chrisparkermusic.com/ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvvtMAAyfWucFAaaYvZ-TU7RsvxyWCp9C https://www.instagram.com/chrisparker246/ This podcast is brought to you by the Fretboard Journal magazine. https://www.fretboardjournal.com/
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1:38:41
Jeremy Wakefield
On Episode 9 of Steel, we travel to Portland, Oregon to interview Jeremy Wakefield, one of the finest swing and jazz lap steel players out there. He has a beautiful touch, he’s a great improviser, and he breathes life into this style of American music. Jeremy has played and recorded alongside ridiculously great players like Dave Biller, TK Smith, Jonathan Stout and Sage Guyton. His albums 'Hot Guitars of Biller and Wakefield' and 'Steel Guitar Caviar' are touchstone latterday swing steel guitar records. Jeremy’s playing is also heard all over the TV show 'Spongebob Squarepants.' Check out the following links to learn more about Jeremy and his music: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5M6dbAh0RRMC2AgKFWG2T6?si=8f425a7e0e2c4f05 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvvtMAAyfWucymmatfI5yj25bYEKHkzBl&si=LE39T6ldMKRcpS4S https://www.instagram.com/titanicstinks https://jeremywakefield.bandcamp.com/album/steel-guitar-caviar-2 https://spongebob.fandom.com/wiki/Jeremy_Wakefield Deep thanks to Benson Amps for their support of this episode. https://www.bensonamps.com/ This podcast is brought to you by the wonderful folks at the Fretboard Journal magazine. Check out the following links to subscribe to the magazine and dig into the rest of the FJ podcast network: https://www.fretboardjournal.com/
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1:26:40
David Murphy
For Episode 8 of Steel, we travel to Cork, Ireland to meet David Murphy and discuss his new album Cuimhne Ghlinn: Explorations in Irish Music for Pedal Steel Guitar. The album is a collection of melancholic Irish “airs” and Sean-nós tunes that David plays beautifully on the pedal steel. In our chat, David breaks down how he became one of the few pedal steel players in Ireland, where this particular strain of traditional Irish music comes from, what these songs mean, and how he brought them to life on the steel guitar. Check out these links to learn more about David and his music: https://www.davidmurphymusic.com/ https://davidmurphymusic.bandcamp.com/album/cuimhne-ghlinn-explorations-in-irish-music-for-pedal-steel-guitar https://www.instagram.com/steelydave83/ https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6IL0wdNVS59B9Eeydd0PNW?si=6fcaa4ea8cc24527 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvvtMAAyfWucZ8rnjOBsWWRlO_IEqA2ul This podcast is brought to you by the wonderful folks at the Fretboard Journal magazine. Check out the following links to subscribe to the magazine and dig into the rest of the FJ podcast network: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription https://www.fretboardjournal.com/category/podcasts/
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1:14:35
Greg Leisz
For Episode 7 of Steel, we catch up with legendary L.A. steel player Greg Leisz. Greg’s steel playing has graced recordings with iconic artists like Bill Frisell, Joni Mitchell, Beck, Mark Knopfler, Phoebe Bridgers, Gillian Welch, Lucinda Williams and many more. He's renowned for his ability to bring depth and emotions to recordings with his touch, tone and occasionally minimalist musical sense. Greg and I discuss his musical journey, from high school garage bands and learning steel in honky tonk bars to becoming a first-call session player in Los Angeles. To learn more about Greg, check out Fretboard Journal #33 or check the following links: - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Leisz - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5MG1pGbqGltH79LxIYjVyN?si=6ffd82c09253448d - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvvtMAAyfWufFmO9oJAnT9dgMh4rgJwA8 - https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fj-33 Steel is hosted by Matt Perpick for the Fretboard Journal. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription
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2:07:18
Christine Bougie
For episode 6 of Steel, we travel to Toronto to meet Christine Bougie. Christine is a guitarist and lap steel player who has shared the stage and studio with folks like Bahamas, Sarah Harmer, Amy Milan, the Queer Songbook Orchestra and Jeremy Dutcher. Christine just released 'Soft Start,' an album of gorgeous ambient music. In our chat, Christine breaks down her musical journey, from learning to record as a teenager with the two cassette records, to how a few choice words from Bill Frisell inspired her to record her own music, how the lap steel became part of her life and how she used the steel to create lush textures on her ambient album. To learn more about Christine and find her music, check out the following links: - https://www.christinebougie.ca/ - https://christinebougie.bandcamp.com/ - https://www.instagram.com/christinebougie/?hl=en - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1SZin6f4Z3SLnRWp7Bhv4r?si=ab46bc4dc9934f05 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvvtMAAyfWue8AScjx7r6kWBHED7GDDHL Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription
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