I guess because of that, Ive been fairly active. Youre on Safe and Sound with Taylor Swift and Civil Wars. gretsch. At some point, I just picked up the guitar, probably around 1962 or 1963. He just came in and said, Im going to go out. My understanding is he uses a '66 bolt-on push/pull for most of his studio work. Sometimes, for whatever reason, they just dont use it properly or they bury it in the mix. Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a "bolt-on push pull"? A couple of months later, a box came to my house and it had a banjo in it. I basically was just playing music with my friends. That was the case with Joni Mitchell. Bob [This message was edited by Bob Hoffnar on 26 November 2003 at 07:59 AM. There can be a lot of confusion about this, that's why I stated it up front. But I played on a song with Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Kris Kristofferson. Starting the early 1990s, he worked often with Matthew Sweet, played on Sweet's album Girlfriend and toured with him. Im fully vaccinated, have been for some time. ], Note: Messages not explicitly copyrighted are in the Public Domain. I dont think Warner Bros. was particularly happy, but they allowed her to do it. Greg's playing on Bon Iver is some of my favorite steel playing of all. But I have worked on several other sessions with him, including several where we played live in the studio, like Mutations. With good reason -- the man's resum is daunting, boasting spots with Joni Mitchell, Sheryl Crow, Read Full Biography Overview Biography Discography Songs Credits Related Share on facebook twitter tumblr Credits I ended up working on a few other albums with him. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Sure enough, he was serious. Steve Earle had taken over from her ex-guitar player [Gurf Morlix], who left the band during the sessions. Prior to that record, I knew who she was. It kicks off that album and its beautiful. Yeah. Did you work with Taylor? I actually went to college for a while and studied geology. He came back and I said, Want to hear it? He goes, Later, but Ive got another song. And then they put on this Gene Clark song Through the Morning, Through the Night. I did that and I just put it together with the engineer. When we ended up playing together, it was kind of fun even though he barely remembered me. It wasnt from the manager or a business person. He began playing guitar and soon added dobro and lap steel. 190 views, 8 likes, 1 loves, 1 comments, 1 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Asher Guitars and Lap Steels: Ray Lamontagne live with Greg Leisz on his Asher Lap Steel. I want to go back here and talk about your life. Everybody was trying to get record deals. She was very focused, so it was great working with her. Thats another one of those random things. It is in near mint condition and comes with a custom deluxe Cedar Creek hardshell case. Some of you may know about Gaby Moreno. He was doing a record with her. She Ended Up Finding Herself, Hear Ann-Margret and Pete Townshends New Take on the Everly Brothers Bye Bye Love, Through the Morning, Through the Night., video where Jackson is getting a heart transplant, David Lindley, Multi-Instrumentalist Who Shaped the Sound of Soft Rock, Dead at 78, How Deem Spencer Learned to be Vulnerable on His New Album adultSW!M, Suki Waterhouse Won't Take Romance For Granted on New Single 'To Love', Travis Barker Says His Finger Ligament Surgery Was a 'Success' After Postponing Blink-182 Tour, J-Hope, Boygenius, and All the Songs You Need to Know This Week, DeSantis Disney Appointee Said Tap Water Might Be Turning People Gay. That was kind of a cool thing. The music started coming into my consciousness a lot more. We went in the studio to make another record and the band broke apart during the dramas of making the second record. I met the first great drummers, the first great bass players, the first great musicians I ever played with while I was playing in country bars, rhythm & blues bars, any type of places. Victoria had already gotten a deal and made a record in New York. Its not just flavoring. produced by Lee Townsend recording and mixing engineer: Judy Clapp. To make a long story short, I knew her engineer and he asked me to come play on the record. And although I've already owned six different lap steels, I have yet to get my Bakelite Rick. I know Greg plays other guitars live, but I gotta believe that unmistakable Leisz sound comes from the bolt-on. I tended to gravitate towards jobs where I didnt have to be around a lot of people. I thought, Well, my names in there. Youre touring with Bob Weir now. But I think it takes a real receptive ear to hear what youre doing and make a decision to use it in the right way. Hed heard me play pedal steel, but he didnt know I had blues knowledge that went deep. Interestingly enough, there is this thread between Victoria Williams and Joni Mitchell. Pearl Jam did Crazy Mary on that. mastering by Greg Calbi. This is all very helpful. I grew up in a family where I didnt have older brothers or sisters. Feb 12, 2008. I started meeting people that came out of almost the punk era in the Eighties. Time and time again, Leisz shows that his ear is always adept to the present musical situation he finds himself in, creating in the moment. Kiley Dean Began As Britney Spears' Backup Singer. Greg Leisz - pedal steel, lap steel, National steel guitar, Scheerhorn resonator guitar, mandolin Ron Miles - trumpet Billy Drewes - alto saxophone David Piltch - bass Kenny Wolleson - drums, percussion Curtis Fowlkes - trombone. And my experience with that is, a lot of people that Ive worked with, you think theyre going to be intimidating, but theyre so good at making you feel comfortable that you wind up singing that persons praises. I just had to hope she wouldnt walk out of the room and not come back. I was listening to Jeff Beck and going, Shit, what is that? I was learning to play guitar while he was playing Bob Dylan songs. I went to college and took stuff that kept me out of the draft. I was doing Gloria or something. At first he said, Ill play a solo in the middle, and then you play a solo, and Ill play a solo. Eventually he said, I just want you you to play all the solos. It was amazing for me because I got to be featured. You wouldnt think of Beck as an artist to employ pedal steel much, but when you hear the sonic space that Leisz fills within his music, its understandable why any musician would want to utilize him. Wayne Shorter, Jazz Legend Who Collaborated With Miles Davis and Joni Mitchell, Dead at 89 It was just Eric sending me a text. I overdubbed all those parts. You get very disillusioned about that being a possibility, but you still keep doing it. It was just that Billy Corgan was allowing James to do one song on a double album. I did a little bit of that. Greg Leisz played some really nice parts on her new CD "Illustrated Songs" but I did not see this listed among his credits. I was like, Im going to try and keep playing music and try to get better. I saved up my money one summer and bought my first pedal steel and started teaching myself how to do that. In all the gigs we did together, he never sat at my instrument or ever let on that he was such an accomplished steel player. I just got contacted. I dont think the one I play on was in Pretty Woman. Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support. Shes fantastic. A marvelous pedal steel player, Leisz has some of the most tasteful playing and impactful tone. Running on Empty was done on the A Rickenbacker. Pick up any Matthew Sweet album.. He said, Im maybe going to go on tour next year. We had a laugh about that. It was very quick. Greg Leisz - lap steel guitar & electric guitar Gary Novak - drums Written by Mai Leisz & Greg Leisz Engineered by Kevin Smith Recorded at Groove Masters Studio in Santa Monica, CA Mixed by Alan Hertz Mastered by Joe Gastwirt. Great album. Pearl Jam have played that song countless times. It was really a drag that she didnt continue after that because she didnt get enough people didnt really appreciate that last album. I loved it. I did his whole record last year, which isnt out yet. On pedals,he plays both necks very well and he told me he's been playing a U-12 Sierra on the Bill Frisell gig.On lap,he plays a number of tunings and seems to come up with nice stuff even if it's a tuning he just made up to suit a certain song.No slouch on standard guitar either.I've been trying to get him on the forum as he's aware his name Pedal Steel Guitar: Why Its So Hard To Play, Pedal Steel Guitar WEIGHT (Lighter vs. It has a deep, full body sound, with amazing resonance. The word "ubiquitous" is usually placed in front of pedal steel player and guitarist Greg Leisz's name. Very nice and tasteful playing. Playpedalsteel.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I put it together myself from maybe a few takes. That was the first thing I did with her. The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time In 1987, Leisz began working with Dave Alvin (formerly of The Blasters). It can help with memorizing note names/positions, locating pockets, learningkey signatures, and more. Weve been doing live streaming shows from the Bay Area. They were referencing a lot of what they thought of as Seventies music, and using it. I wanted to know where she wanted me to play. Hundreds of pages of practice, instruction, and reference materials for E9 pedal steel. Right on Nate! I love the Victoria Williams song Crazy Mary. You play on that. They just had me improvise on it. They were like, Shes gone off the tracks, she fired her producer. I think they were surprised. It was something I really liked to do and I started doing it a lot. Versatile and musically accommodating, Greg shapes up many tracks with his pedal steel playing. To wrap here, how do you feel when you look at your credits and just see hundreds and hundreds of songs? Thats a little odd. As an Amazon Associate Playpedalsteel.com earns from qualifying purchases. He decided he wanted to have that instrument in that particular band for that tour. In 2013 alone, the pedal-steel guitarist played on records by Daft Punk, Eric Clapton, Kris Kristofferson, Glen Hansard, the Beach Boys, Bonnie Raitt, Billy Bragg, John Fogerty, and way too many others to mention here. This track features mostly acoustic guitar and vocals, and the pedal steel is so smooth. Eventually, when I finally got one, I had friends that I could play along with. You did all that in a single day? What I remember is that was right around the time she was diagnosed with MS. Maybe it was after. Use these diagrams as a reference tool, or memorization aid for your practice and playing. This track kicks off strong with Leiszs pedal steel at the forefront. She did a tour with an orchestra [in 2000], but it was last time she went out and played guitar with a band. I had met Victoria before that. The band got signed very quickly because there was already a songwriter that had a couple hit songs. The first note of the solo slides up to the 12th fret. They were amazing. His playing on this track sits well in the mix with a tone that hooks the listener. That record was Album of the Year at the Grammys. Tell me about your friendship with him. They did two version of that song. Greg Leisz is a songwriter, sideman, and producer who pays guitar, dobro, mandolin, lap steel and pedal steel guitar. I was like, Thats an unusual thing, to play on two different Albums of the Year two years in a row. Not only that, the year that Daft Punk won, I played at the Grammys. Greg Leisz plays a Weissenborn Style 2, Style 1, and teardrop model with an original metal tailpiece (anyone seen another?). Almost all of the keys are provided. She was taking parts off and replacing them. Well, no. He met Jules Shear. I think I played the dobro. All Lap Steels 2022-2023 Asher Electro Hawaiian Junior Lap Steel Black with Gig Bag! All the parts have a reason for being there. There are so many great recordings with him playing, and listeners have plenty to treat themselves to. I saw her on Saturday Night Live. Its from the Hunger Games movie. ], [This message was edited by Bob Hoffnar on 26 November 2003 at 07:59 AM.]. He was probably looking to do something at that same time. He toured in 2013 as a member of Eric Clapton's band, in 2015 as a member of Jackson Browne's band, and again in 2017. Honestly, though, I hardly play it as I've been really focusing on C6 (and E6). The 6 string lap steel is great for Hawaiian, blues, slide guitar licks, many country songs, dobro style riffs and can imitate a lot of what can be played on the 8, 10 and 12 string tunings. This would encompass all the work he does with T-Bone, and likely the Bon Iver and other indie records he's doing these days. At sparse moments in the song, his pedal steel playing adds so much emotion to the music. Once you get an instrument in your hand and start playing it, you go, Wow. Then you teach yourself something and youre able to do it, you can apply it, its mind-expanding. He needs an artificial heart. Its insane. She wanted something focused on every song. But its been a crazy year, just like it has for everybody. Related Stories Up until that time, it seemed like there was always some kind of a studio you worked in. Tony Berg is a producer Ive worked with quite a bit. How did you feel when you first heard the record and realized theyd used that much of your work? He also writes songs. [Laughs] He was like, Heres this carrot. Does he mostly play E9? Theres nothing like the beautiful sound of harmonized sixths played on the pedal steel tabs that display the major scale harmonized in sixths. I swear to God, I said to myself, I dont know who this is texting me. I think I had to think for five or 10 minutes. The experience was great. It was a natural fit with a lot of people. He is awesome. Bill Frisell "Good Dog, Happy Man" lotsa Leisz. He was inspired to pick up the pedal steel after hearing Sneaky Pete Kleinow and Buddy Emmons. I didnt meet Taylor or either one of the people from the Civil Wars. I've been teetering on the edge of diving fully into pedal steel for a while but I'm not really a country guy. And my wife and I spend a lot of time together during the pandemic since were both musicians. Leisz's ability to add whatever a track needs always feels natural and timeless at the same time. from $995.00 $1,773.00 Sale SOLD 2022 Electro Hawaiian Model 1 Lap Steel Custom $3,900.00 Sold Out Sale 2022-2023 Asher Electro Hawaiian Junior Lap Steel Trans Cherry with Gig Bag! Private Messages This track is beautiful and Leiszs pedal steel comes in almost right away. Once you start using the low C# tuning on the lap steel, you have completely different instrument than an 8 string tuned to G E C A G E C A. Log in, Steel Guitar Forum LLCPO Box 237Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA. Hes credited with playing 12-string too. I loved the stuff that Sneaky Pete Kleinow played on the Flying Burrito Brothers records that he did. As far as chords on different frets, one of the essential techniques for playing steel (as opposed to just slide . On her album Watershed, the track 'Once in a While' is a beautiful example of refined, tasteful and subtle playing. Oops, looks like you forgot something. In the earlier stages of his career, Leisz played and toured often with k.d. I went in and played a couple of songs with him live in the studio with a full band. At least that's what David told me 25 years ago. Not to be pigeonholed in just roots music, Leisz (pronounced "Lees") has also played with the likes of Beck, Matthew Sweet, Bad Religion, the Smashing Pumpkins, and Brian Wilson. Why was I even there? Its kind of a disappointing thing. We want to hear it. Another funny story is that when we were in the studio, he had a banjo. Why am I going there? I had no idea. Leisz's playing has appeared throughout the years on recordings by Aaron Neville, Alison Krauss, Amos Lee, Beck, Bill Frisell, Black Crowes, Bon Iver, Bruce Cockburn, Bruce Springsteen, Cass McCombs, Chuck Prophet, Daft Punk, Dave Alvin, Eagles, Emmylou Harris, Eric Clapton, Glenn Frey, Grant Lee Buffalo, Haim, Jackson Browne, Joe Cocker, John Fogerty, John Mayer, John Stewart, Joni Mitchell, k.d. It starts out sounding like a Neil Young song with just an acoustic guitar, but then it has some synths. Thats because Ive done a lot of stuff with T Bone Burnett. I remember seeing David Lindley and Jackson Browne back in the 1970s and he was definitely using a Rickenbacker B6 on stage.-----Brad's Page of Steel A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars. He met Jack Tempchin. I can see why his recording career show so many credits. She ended up having me play enough takes that she felt she could put together what she wanted. Its a song called Moonlight Motel. Its the last song on the record. Ive been very fortunate since all my friends and family have remained healthy and fine. The key to it working out was we had a couple conversations on the phone. . Do whatever you want to do.. I havent really been hunkered down as much in the last couple of months, particularly since Ive been vaccinated. And then it became, Wow, I can make a little money. But I had all sorts of different day jobs the whole time. They got turned on to the pedal steel somehow and they knew about me. They were all playing together and I was in the band with them. And then seven or eight years after that, she did her last album [Shine], and she called me to work on that one, too. I had to decide whether it was good myself. Enjoy weekend savings on Fender, Gretsch, and more. And then Paul Carrack. February 21, 2023. That was the first time I worked with him. It complements it so well. That happens a lot of the time. Youre all over the last Daft Punk album. That pretty much sums it up. He began playing guitar and soon added dobro and lap steel. We already have a guitar player. I could see it as a smart thing to do. I think hed become aware of my playing on a couple of other records, especially this K.D. It was actually just one day. Shes the one that comes in and walks away with it. It sets the tone for the rest of the track, seguing smoothly into Alison Krausss vocals. I missed that whole era. Was this the 1998 tour with Bob Dylan and Van Morrison? She was just like, I dont need this anymore.. Greg Leisz's playing with k d lang is wonderful. Thats one of my favorite Lucinda Williams songs. Heavier Models), Parts & Hardware (Where to Find, Details, Info), How To Open Up the E9 Tuning (for Pedal Steel), The Chord Guide for E9 Pedal Steel Guitar, The Art of Right Hand Technique (for Steel Guitar), The Elixir of E9 Pedal Steel: Harmonized 6ths, 200 Country Riffs & Licks for E9 Pedal Steel, 7 Best Pedal Steel Albums (That You Must Hear), Backing Tracks (Where To Find, Info, Types), 7 Songs Featuring Greg Leisz On Pedal Steel, Buddy Emmons Characteristics: How They Can Improve your Playing, Recording & Mixing the Pedal Steel Guitar, Pedal Steel: 5 Best Ways to Use a Compressor Pedal, How to Record Pedal Steel (and Capture its ALLURING Sound), C6 Fretboard Diagram Flat & Sharp Notes, Universal Tuning & Copedent for Pedal Steel, Pedal Steel Copedents (Info, Types, Details). Adding distortion to the lap steel, Leisz gives so much personality to this Bruce Springsteen track. That was amazing. Join This edition features pedal-steel guitarist Greg Leisz. This song is a great example of how tasteful Leiszs playing can be. I live in a place thats a good place to hang out during a pandemic since its very close to nature. I can imagine that being intimidating. Youre on Becks song Sissyneck from Odelay. I didnt really expect any sort of a follow-up. For decades, the Southern California-based multi-instrumentalist has been a go-to guitarist and pedal steel player for musicians such as Eric Clapton, Buddy Miller, John Mayer, Bill Frisell, k.d. He basically put the band together since he was the only person that knew everyone that ended up in it. Getting to all the great records hes played on would have resulted in an interview longer than Infinite Jest and the uncut edition of Stephen Kings The Stand combined. youtu.be. And then he did the Jeep commercial on the Super Bowl. Pedal-Steel Guitarist Greg Leisz on His Years With Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, and Daft Punk, Neil Young Sets Release Date for Vintage Seventies Bootlegs, Kiley Dean Began As Britney Spears Backup Singer. I never ended up doing anything live with him. Thanks for checking out this post, hope it is helpful and makes playing more enjoyable! Lets start with Roxette and their hit It Must Have Been Love. Theres so many little things that happen when you make records. Im pretty proud of that. I know youre very close with Jackson Browne. your profile | join | preferences | help | search. Im very lucky. Doyle said, Hes kind of interested , I met him and he was so immediately just a normal guy. Hundreds of pages of practice, instruction, and reference materials for E9 pedal steel. She was living in Nashville and he was in Los Angeles. Maybe we can have that guy in the band. I love that song too. Great player all aroundlap, non-pedal, pedal, dobroetc etc Ironically, I used to play a lot of gigs with Greg in the '80s -- I was playing steel and he was playing guitar. I think she had an idea of how she wanted to do it. This is the same type of lap steel that Greg Leisz used (along with his Bill Asher steel) when I saw him with Bill Frisell. David Murphy (left) photographed by Richie Tyndall. I play on two songs [Not to Blame and Borderline] on that record. Definitely check out the Sara Watkins album, he's all over it. Leisz has such a great melodic sense, and this song has it on full display. I was usually to shy to go up and talk to anybody about it, but I just kind of absorbed the music. from $995.00 $1,773.00 Sale We recorded that song with Don Heffington on drums and Greg Cohen on bass. Theyd stick it in their wallet and maybe theyd lose it, or maybe theyd write it down.