These guys are off the hook. From an era gone by. Too bad players like this aren't lauded more for their talent. There's still musicians out there that can play really well like this, but it's getting harder and harder to survive in a musically dumbed-down world.
I fell into a top 40 country gig outside of DC about 20+ years ago and stood next to Buddy Charlton three nights a week for 2 or three months. I couldn't believe the sound i heard coming from the steel, and tried to pickup whatever I could as a guitar player. Was the most musical scary fun I can remember.
Most of ETs musicians had jazz back grounds, The Texas Troubador instrumental albums are very jazz influenced. If you find any give them a listen they are very good.
Nice they mention my husband's contribution. Bob Moore lived at RCA-B for 35 years. Prior to RCA being built, Bob spent many hours working with Chet (for free) helping to develop Chet's first 'solo' releases which were recorded in Chet's garage.
Buddy C. You need to come back to west texas and go deer hunting with again. All you have to do is get in touch and we'll pick you up, if your no farther away than Dallas or San Antonio.
Leon must have been so happy for opportunities like this, because when he backed ET he had to keep things as simple as possible (though he did bring a panache to his lead lines that none of his predecessors or successors could). Agreed with others that technical skill and feeling/expressiveness are two different qualities, and guitarists have them in varying ratios. Futile to compare - but it's a valid point that many rock star hotshots, for all their ego, wouldn't have a prayer at doing this.
the time and dedication leon and bud put into this is admirable.... awesome stuff! and what a rhythm section! my life felt a little more complete after getting a copy of all these instrumentals...
THANK YOU So much for sharing this video with us.These guys are so talented. Leon Rhodes is a guitar god,incredible player. That's what i call cool picking!
Speedy West(Pedal Steel) and Jimmy Bryant (Guitar) are the ones that have have similar style and their playing is mighty hot as well. Country and Jazz a great combo.
I cant thank you enough for putting these things on,I'd given up on seeing the likes of leon,Buddy Charlton, Curly Chalker, Hal Rugg,Tom Brumley,Jimmy Bryant etc,& of course,- all the great country singers;-you cant even get CMT here[UK]
I was in a band in Texas that traveled around to small towns and played all ages shows at VFW halls and what have you. This was in the 1980's and cable TV had hit all these towns and the teenagers wanted to hear Guns and Roses and whatever was on MTV, and everyone liked the current country tunes by George Strait, etc. What they absolutely couldn't relate to was the music that we played when we were setting up and sometimes on breaks, which was Western swing instrumental like these guys are playing here. They just basically ignored it.
obdami, A professional musician gets paid to entertain. It's the ability to entertain that determines his success more than anything. Brilliant technique may help but it's not necessarily the determining factor. Leon is a hot guitar player that I respect but as a world class entertainer he can't be compared with Eric. It's hard to argue with success. :-)
Ernest Tubb was an alcoholic. Ernest knew Leon was an honest Christian man. That is why Ernest assigned Leon to count the gig cash door receipts and hold the group’s money.
mike, i saw you play back then.... a strat i believe.... at a club on Route 1 in northern virginia, you rocked. can't remember the name of the club but i think it was part of a shopping center. i used to work with the southern winds band with the handy brothers....
Those who post should feel sorry for me. My Dad was a virtuoso guitar player for most of his life and taught advanced guitar to others. I have his Stratocaster and his Guild...and can't play a note on either of them. I play the saxophone but I don't have his talent...... :(
Chet didn't create the Nashville sound. Nashville A-Team musicians created the Nashville Sound under the guiding hand of Owen Bradley. When Chet got the job with RCA he hired Owen's musicians and they did the same for Chet. Often times Chet wasn't even in the studio when many of the RCA sessions took place including Elvis'. Furthermore, Leon Rhodes played circles around Chet Atkins. Ask anyone who knows.
@steelgreenhorn I agree! I love this. If you LOVE steel playin check out the "Playboy"-version by Eric Huff Clean Cut Country--5 steel players in one song along with special guest Leon Rhodes (original band member of the Texas Troubadours)
First off, why compare him to anybody, never mind Clapton? Leon was clearly a really good player, but was he a guitar hero? Say what you will about Clapton, he influenced millions of guitar players (and probably still does). That's a guitar hero, someone who others want to emulate. Clapton changed an entire genre in how he approached playing. If you had heard him live in '67 or '68, you would have thought he was the best (maybe you did, I don't want to assume anything!). That's a guitar hero.
Chet Atkins probably would have left the steel guitar at home as he did when he created the Nashville sound. It's a pity he did,cause I highly respect him as a human and musician.
Chet created the Nashville Sound out of necessity. Country was getting its collective ass kicked by rock and roll. He changed the sound to bring in the pop music crowd who didn't like the rock and roll or the straight up Honky Tonk. If he hadn't changed the sound, adding strings and more BGV, country as we know it wouldn't exist today.
@soin2top As far as contemporary blues players go Clapton is competent but when it comes to country-jazz players Rhodes is more than that. If we were hanging out I'd show you on my guitar how true this is by blazing through any Clapton lick you wanna' hear with ease & then pushing myself to keep up with Rhodes. That being said we're all entitled to our opinions & I have better things to do than get into a TH-cam war so I'm gonna' be done with this & wish you a good night :-)
@soin2top I enjoy artists from most any musical style you can think of including Clapton with his earlier work (Yardbirds/Cream). He has done very little past that era that I find worth while though. Is this is a slam on him or a thoughtless judgment on his character? Not in the slightest so I suggest you read & contemplate your own words before posting them. The "hats" reference was kinda' funny though I don't allow image to play too large a roll in what determines my taste of music...
So many Clapton comments--why is he being mentioned in the same breath as these guys--there seems to be little reason in my mind. The musical styles don't compare and EC, with all due respect to his long career and success as a pop icon, wouldn't last more than 30 sec. before he'd crash and burn in a session like this. He's not this kind of guitarist and I doubt it was anything he ever aspired to. I'm sure he would agree, too. Doesn't mean I don't like EC--just can't see any connection.
I believe comparing guitar players on the comments here is nothing short of silly'''' Although if you must,,,a much closer match to Leon would be Hank Garland''''' I dont mean'''''better''''' but in the same type skill level'''''''' Clapton although a decent blues man,,,, simply is not at the guitar skill set as Leon,,Hank,,,or say Brent Mason for example...& than we have Chet Atkins''''nuff said.....Cheers''''
Dear kencc4791...For starters it isn't a fair comparison when you compare Leon Rhodes to Eric Clapton. Clapton is an "world-class" ENTERTAINER and celebrity. He is a "great" guitarist and songwriter. Leon Rhodes is a "world-class" GUITARIST...and an "average" entertainer. I've been playing guitar for 40+ years...I love Eric Clapton,...but if you think for one "nano second" that Clapton is a superior GUITARIST to Rhodes.... it is obvious you simply have no clue what you are talking about. You may prefer Clapton's "music" ...but as far as who is the superior GUITARIST,....Rhodes has FORGOTTEN more guitar than Clapton will EVER know I'm afraid. Sorry....
This "better than Clapton" stuff is pointless. All due respect to Leon but I'm not sure if he would have been able to craft the memorable phrases as EC did on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", "In the Presence Of The Lord", "Bell Botton Blues", "Badge"and countless other recordings that may not have the "wow" chops factor but continue to pull the heartstrings after 40 years. Give both these guys the respect they deserve and stop comparing apples to oranges.
These guys are off the hook. From an era gone by. Too bad players like this aren't lauded more for their talent. There's still musicians out there that can play really well like this, but it's getting harder and harder to survive in a musically dumbed-down world.
Now this is what music's all about, true talent and dedication without any modern computer trash.
I fell into a top 40 country gig outside of DC about 20+ years ago and stood next to Buddy Charlton three nights a week for 2 or three months. I couldn't believe the sound i heard coming from the steel, and tried to pickup whatever I could as a guitar player. Was the most musical scary fun I can remember.
I played with Leon last night. What a talent and nice guy
Most of ETs musicians had jazz back grounds, The Texas Troubador instrumental albums are very jazz influenced. If you find any give them a listen they are very good.
Will do
Nice they mention my husband's contribution. Bob Moore lived at RCA-B for 35 years. Prior to RCA being built, Bob spent many hours working with Chet (for free) helping to develop Chet's first 'solo' releases which were recorded in Chet's garage.
Buddy C. You need to come back to west texas and go deer hunting with again. All you have to do is get in touch and we'll pick you up, if your no farther away than Dallas or San Antonio.
Awesome clips of Leon And Buddy... two of my heroes. THANK YOU.
I found this song on the Legends of Guitar - Country CD that came in 1991. These CDs are incredible and I encourage you to track them down.
Great evrryrime I hear it
I believe Eddie Stubbs summed it up pretty well
" The Troubadors were what every country band wanted to be but wasn't"
Wonderful! Got me smiling all the way through. 🤠
Madness.
These guys where the pioneers of shreddin'
I’d say Django Reinhardt beat them to that, but Leon and Buddy were BOTH excellent players, without a doubt!
These Guys Rule!! It Just Doesen't Get Any Better Than This!!!
Ol' Leon is still tearing it up on Lower Broad, at age 80-plus.
I can play a kindergarten version of this song...
RIP Leon Rhodes
These guys were knocking out of park way back when.
Leon must have been so happy for opportunities like this, because when he backed ET he had to keep things as simple as possible (though he did bring a panache to his lead lines that none of his predecessors or successors could). Agreed with others that technical skill and feeling/expressiveness are two different qualities, and guitarists have them in varying ratios. Futile to compare - but it's a valid point that many rock star hotshots, for all their ego, wouldn't have a prayer at doing this.
the time and dedication leon and bud put into this is admirable.... awesome stuff! and what a rhythm section!
my life felt a little more complete after getting a copy of all these instrumentals...
THANK YOU
So much for sharing this video with us.These guys are so talented.
Leon Rhodes is a guitar god,incredible player.
That's what i call cool picking!
Speedy West(Pedal Steel) and Jimmy Bryant (Guitar) are the ones that have have similar style and their playing is mighty hot as well. Country and Jazz a great combo.
10 on 10 It doesn't get better than this. Two masters. I'm flabbergasted.
Many thanks for posting this video
RC aka Eightstring
Legend has it prog rock was created on that day. Country shred!
Holy Crap!! on fire, amazing..
I cant thank you enough for putting these things on,I'd given up on seeing the likes of leon,Buddy Charlton, Curly Chalker, Hal Rugg,Tom Brumley,Jimmy Bryant etc,& of course,- all the great country singers;-you cant even get CMT here[UK]
INSANE!!! That was back when music was played by musicians! Yee Hawww!
Great pickin' by Bud Charleton.
These guys are killing it !!!
lonnie johnson had a song called "hot fingers" from 1928
One person must have clicked the dislike button on accident! Excellent playing right there.
a friend of mine in maryland made me a copy of all of them... not sure where he got 'em from
Buddy Emmons is the best I ever heard!
Charleton*
Dang, that's good! Great to see and hear ET, too.
These guys are why I clown on country fans who say they don't like jazz. I am like "Yes you do, you just don't know it. Check these guys out!"
I was in a band in Texas that traveled around to small towns and played all ages shows at VFW halls and what have you. This was in the 1980's and cable TV had hit all these towns and the teenagers wanted to hear Guns and Roses and whatever was on MTV, and everyone liked the current country tunes by George Strait, etc. What they absolutely couldn't relate to was the music that we played when we were setting up and sometimes on breaks, which was Western swing instrumental like these guys are playing here. They just basically ignored it.
Wristwatches were a lot smaller in those days
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
obdami, A professional musician gets paid to entertain. It's the ability to entertain that determines his success more than anything. Brilliant technique may help but it's not necessarily the determining factor. Leon is a hot guitar player that I respect but as a world class entertainer he can't be compared with Eric. It's hard to argue with success. :-)
Leon Rhodes could play circles around everyone in nashville .
Nashville and Texas can both take a long walk off a short pier.
But not around Yngwie Malmsteen.
Ernest Tubb was an alcoholic. Ernest knew Leon was an honest Christian man. That is why Ernest assigned Leon to count the gig cash door receipts and hold the group’s money.
mike, i saw you play back then.... a strat i believe.... at a club on Route 1 in northern virginia, you rocked. can't remember the name of the club but i think it was part of a shopping center. i used to work with the southern winds band with the handy brothers....
The best!!!
Wow, amazing!
WOW....!!! these cats can play....
Those who post should feel sorry for me. My Dad was a virtuoso guitar player for most of his life and taught advanced guitar to others. I have his Stratocaster and his Guild...and can't play a note on either of them. I play the saxophone but I don't have his talent...... :(
Thanks for this . . . about as good as any Jimmy Bryant and Speedy West!
Country Bebop..;;;playin air guitar;; let it swing boys!!!!
Sounds so jazzy for some reason.
🐻
Chet didn't create the Nashville sound. Nashville A-Team musicians created the Nashville Sound under the guiding hand of Owen Bradley. When Chet got the job with RCA he hired Owen's musicians and they did the same for Chet. Often times Chet wasn't even in the studio when many of the RCA sessions took place including Elvis'. Furthermore, Leon Rhodes played circles around Chet Atkins. Ask anyone who knows.
@steelgreenhorn I agree! I love this. If you LOVE steel playin check out the "Playboy"-version by Eric Huff Clean Cut Country--5 steel players in one song along with special guest Leon Rhodes (original band member of the Texas Troubadours)
Amazing playing, much like Jimmy Bryant and Speedy West.
First off, why compare him to anybody, never mind Clapton? Leon was clearly a really good player, but was he a guitar hero? Say what you will about Clapton, he influenced millions of guitar players (and probably still does). That's a guitar hero, someone who others want to emulate. Clapton changed an entire genre in how he approached playing. If you had heard him live in '67 or '68, you would have thought he was the best (maybe you did, I don't want to assume anything!). That's a guitar hero.
Chet Atkins probably would have left the steel guitar at home as he did when he created the Nashville sound.
It's a pity he did,cause I highly respect him as a human and musician.
Chet created the Nashville Sound out of necessity. Country was getting its collective ass kicked by rock and roll. He changed the sound to bring in the pop music crowd who didn't like the rock and roll or the straight up Honky Tonk. If he hadn't changed the sound, adding strings and more BGV, country as we know it wouldn't exist today.
@billtaylor1931 Sure agree with you Bill. 100%.
Amazing. It's almost more like fast jazz guitar.
@jaymebaer1 So true Jay".
@soin2top As far as contemporary blues players go Clapton is competent but when it comes to country-jazz players Rhodes is more than that. If we were hanging out I'd show you on my guitar how true this is by blazing through any Clapton lick you wanna' hear with ease & then pushing myself to keep up with Rhodes. That being said we're all entitled to our opinions & I have better things to do than get into a TH-cam war so I'm gonna' be done with this & wish you a good night :-)
@soin2top I enjoy artists from most any musical style you can think of including Clapton with his earlier work (Yardbirds/Cream). He has done very little past that era that I find worth while though. Is this is a slam on him or a thoughtless judgment on his character? Not in the slightest so I suggest you read & contemplate your own words before posting them. The "hats" reference was kinda' funny though I don't allow image to play too large a roll in what determines my taste of music...
I now have this nailed down (except for Leon's solo, forget that LOL). Not nearly as cray and hard as I thought it was.
you're comparing Clapton to Leon is like comparing John Elway to Magic Johnson. both ball players, different genres
So many Clapton comments--why is he being mentioned in the same breath as these guys--there seems to be little reason in my mind. The musical styles don't compare and EC, with all due respect to his long career and success as a pop icon, wouldn't last more than 30 sec. before he'd crash and burn in a session like this. He's not this kind of guitarist and I doubt it was anything he ever aspired to. I'm sure he would agree, too. Doesn't mean I don't like EC--just can't see any connection.
Clapton ..WUT ??
Its just like complaining that Paco DeLucia dosent play like Jimi Hendrix
I believe comparing guitar players on the comments here is nothing short of silly'''' Although if you must,,,a much closer match to Leon would be Hank Garland''''' I dont mean'''''better''''' but in the same type skill level'''''''' Clapton although a decent blues man,,,, simply is not at the guitar skill set as Leon,,Hank,,,or say Brent Mason for example...& than we have Chet Atkins''''nuff said.....Cheers''''
Dear kencc4791...For starters it isn't a fair comparison when you compare Leon Rhodes to Eric Clapton. Clapton is an "world-class" ENTERTAINER and celebrity. He is a "great" guitarist and songwriter. Leon Rhodes is a "world-class" GUITARIST...and an "average" entertainer. I've been playing guitar for 40+ years...I love Eric Clapton,...but if you think for one "nano second" that Clapton is a superior GUITARIST to Rhodes.... it is obvious you simply have no clue what you are talking about. You may prefer Clapton's "music" ...but as far as who is the superior GUITARIST,....Rhodes has FORGOTTEN more guitar than Clapton will EVER know I'm afraid. Sorry....
"A world class" - not "An world class"
Leon Rhodes is like.............1,000 times better than Clapton.
This "better than Clapton" stuff is pointless. All due respect to Leon but I'm not sure if he would have been able to craft the memorable phrases as EC did on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", "In the Presence Of The Lord", "Bell Botton Blues", "Badge"and countless other recordings that may not have the "wow" chops factor but continue to pull the heartstrings after 40 years. Give both these guys the respect they deserve and stop comparing apples to oranges.
That whatever it is SUCKS