Bobby Black at ISGC

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 5 Sep 2000 7:59 am

Bobby Black was awesome on lap steel at the convention. He was just back from Hawaii, where he did something like 22 gigs in 14 days. In spite of his nervousness, his "touch" on the instrument was the finest I've ever heard.

I talked to him the next day, and asked what tuning he was using. He told me that it's a C6th with chromatic strings like the E9th pedal steel, and a low C# instead of C: <font face="monospace" size="3"><pre>
D
B
E <-- highest pitch
C
A
G
E
C# </pre></font>He was getting some really beautiful, complex chords out of this tuning. I've heard Bobby play many times, and he never ceases to amaze me.

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<small><img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Averybob.gif" width=64 height=81>Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session S-12 (E9), Speedy West D-10 (E9, D6),
Sierra 8 Laptop (D13), Fender Stringmaster D-8 (D13, A6)

Mike Black · Post by **Mike Black** » 5 Sep 2000 8:24 am

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 5 Sep 2000 10:35 am

Yes, he was there, but I missed his show somehow.

wayne yakes md · Post by **wayne yakes md** » 5 Sep 2000 11:52 am

His Fender's tone was a thing to behold. I also equally enjoyed Chuck Lettes' 6 string 1935 Richenbacher on "Sweetnin' ", "Sleepwalk",etc.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 5 Sep 2000 1:12 pm

When Bobby played, a hush came over the room. It felt like we were all sitting on the floor right in front of him, having him play very personally to each of us. A very beautiful and moving set.

Scott Thomas · Post by **Scott Thomas** » 5 Sep 2000 7:12 pm

Some years back at the Concord steel guitar convention I had the pleasure of seeing Bobby Black perform. I was unfamiliar with him at the time. I saw a man in the wings quickly tuning a multi-neck (custom?) just as his time to go on neared. He walked on rather shy and unassuming, then proceeded to play the most incredible, spot-on Joaquin Murphy break on Oklahoma Stomp, and after that the most authentically played Hawaiian tune I'd ever heard live. I've since learned of the high regard other players have for him, and for good reason I now know!

Mike Black · Post by **Mike Black** » 6 Sep 2000 7:48 am

Chuck S. Lettes · Post by **Chuck S. Lettes** » 6 Sep 2000 8:10 am

Bobby Black's set was a real high point at the Convention for me. I loved his tone, especially when he played those harmonics! I was expecting to hear some Commander Cody- style steel guitar; what a pleasant surprise! Chuck

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 6 Sep 2000 2:06 pm

I don't think Bobby's played much rock'n'roll in recent years. Most of his gigs are Hawaiian, Western or Jazz.