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Post by BonnevilleMariner on Sept 30, 2005 11:55:34 GMT -5
"I don't see how y'all think it would be fair to make Jerry sit out on songs so others can take the spotlight when you think that's what he's doing to other people."
Actually, I'm just advocating more of a balance. The dobro may be overpowering, but there are AKUS songs where it isn't the driving force. And I mentioned "We Hide and Seek" earlier- definately a dobro-driven song- but where each bandmember has an impressive break with their instruments. I'd like to see that happen more. And with the overpowering sound of the dobro, theoretically couldn't Jerry afford to yield to the others once in a while, yet still have a powerful influence?
I know Jerry had a long and successful solo career before AKUS. He may have been a household name in bluegrass and certain musical circles, but AKUS made him a household name in country/contemporary bluegrass- even pop communities. AKUS dramatically increased his fan base. It seems like AKUS and JD both took each other to a new level with their union (station).
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Post by fiddlechick21 on Sept 30, 2005 13:35:33 GMT -5
I think Stacy makes some great points. The dobro IS very noticable, whether it's soloing or not. Obviously, AKUS fans may be new to Jerry Douglas, but he's been playing for like 30 years and was a member of what is now considered the greastest bluegrass band ever (I can't remember what they were called, but the band had Ricky Scaggs, Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas to name a few). That was a lifetime ago. He brought AKUS just as much new recognition as they brought him, in other words. Let's see...he's been in quite a few bands, I think. Started out with The Country Gentlemen, then went on to play with J.D. Crowe and the New South, Boone Creek, the Dreadful Snakes, and Strength in Numbers...possibly more. I think Boone Creek was the band he was in with Ricky Skaggs, but I could be wrong on that.
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Post by eyesoflove on Sept 30, 2005 14:08:09 GMT -5
After you mentioned JD Crowe and the New South I think that may have been the one.
"And with the overpowering sound of the dobro, theoretically couldn't Jerry afford to yield to the others once in a while, yet still have a powerful influence?"
You make it sound as though he has came in tearing up jack and taking names. From every interview I've ever read/heard, they are all very much a part of the producing process. If Jerry truly is taking over the spotlight then I feel certain it's what the band wants. However, I doubt they view it that way and neither do I.
Stacy
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Post by BonnevilleMariner on Sept 30, 2005 14:46:10 GMT -5
I think we'll all agree that AKUS's music ,with the addition of JD, has become dobro-driven. For whatever reason- be it because of the overpowering sound of the dobro, the band's love for Jerry, or conceit.
And I'm not sure it really matters. When I brought this whole thing up I was simply curious as to why this was, why the name change. My questions stemmed from personal observations.
I like the dobro-driven sound of AKUS. I don't mind it at all. But it seems I'm getting more of one and less of the others, for whatever reason. I simply would like to hear the fiddle, banjo, and guitar more prominently more often. Take the fiddle break in "Never Got Off the Ground" for example. Can you imagine having similar breaks like that from Alison more often? Dang.
(Am I using that word 'break' correctly, by the way? I'm new to all this music lingo)
Stacy, you're right about every member being involved with production. I think if there ever are any problems or objections to anything, I'm sure they are resolved long before we hear the finished product. AKUS sounds exactly the way AKUS wants to sound, and that's fine by me.
So where can I hear some of these other bands Jerry was in?
By the way, the word "dobro" in Russian is an adjective meaning "kind or gentle."
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Post by eyesoflove on Sept 30, 2005 16:34:15 GMT -5
That's very nice to know that about the word "dobro"....makes me want to research its origin for how the instrument got its name because it is played in a gentle kind of manner. Yeah, "Break" is totally right! Stacy
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Post by Monica on Sept 30, 2005 20:04:49 GMT -5
One of the most famous bands Jerry was in (with Ricky Skaggs) was Emmylou Harris' band (Hot Band). They were named the #1 band in all of Country Music history.
I completely disagree with the statement that Jerry made AKUS as much a household name as vice-versa! I grew up with bluegrass and while I knew of him, he was no where near as famous as AKUS. Yes he's good but he was/is no Rhonda Vincent, Ronnie Bowman, JD Crowe, Ricky Skaggs, etc (with popularity I mean. These people are much more well-known than JD).
I never meant for JD to not play in a song. What I was saying is that every song has a dobro break unlike banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar. Whatever song they play it always has dobro featured.
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Post by eyesoflove on Sept 30, 2005 22:22:43 GMT -5
"I completely disagree with the statement that Jerry made AKUS as much a household name as vice-versa! I grew up with bluegrass and while I knew of him, he was no where near as famous as AKUS."
I meant that he helped expand their name beyond the bluegrass world. He has a huge following, many of whom I'm sure started listening to AKUS just to hear more of him.
It's simply not true that every song takes a dobro break. I was listening to LRBW just tonight specifically trying to hear how many breaks he takes and there were a couple that had dobro in them, but not featured...and that's just what I was paying attention to...there are probably more, but I was in the car and talking to my hubby at the same time.
Stacy
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Post by fiddlechick21 on Oct 1, 2005 17:33:55 GMT -5
That's very nice to know that about the word "dobro"....makes me want to research its origin for how the instrument got its name because it is played in a gentle kind of manner. Interesting observation...but not how the resophonic guitar came to be commonly known as a dobro. Dobro is actually a specific brand of resophonic guitars (now owned by Gibson) made by the Dopyera Brothers. Get it? DOpyera BROthers. DOBRO! ;D Cool, huh?
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Post by akusgal41790 on Oct 1, 2005 19:01:26 GMT -5
I agree with everything you said Stacy. Before Jerry was ever involved with akus, he was very well known. I mean, we already named all of the bands he was in before this one, and as said by Monica, in Emmylou Harris' band, "they were named the #1 band in all of Country Music history". In almost every interview I've heard Alison, Barry, Ron, and Dan in, they have talked about how much Jerry has influenced them and how honored they are that he is a part of the band. Who knows whether AKUS or Jerry had the bigger house-hold name?? Unless we go ask every house-hold, I don't think we'll know. Either way, now I think they both inhance eachother's name, which is great in my opinion! As far as having dobro breaks in every song, I disagree. Every instrument has there own part in a song, it's there for a reason. Everyone (excluding Jerry) may have less solos in a song since he joined the band, but that's what happens when another member is placed in a band. But I think every song is the way that EVERYONE in the band wants it to be. I think Alison and the guys have a great bond, and if something goes different than the way one of them wants it, I'm sure they would change it. So if there are more Jerry solos (which isn't a fact) then I guess that's their choice.
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Catdog
New Member
Banjo Picker
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Post by Catdog on Oct 1, 2005 22:47:59 GMT -5
I couldn't have said it better myself. This thread has been driving me up the wall. Some of the people responding to it are not even aware of the contributions Jerry Douglas has made to bluegrass. They don't know that he has played with J.D. Crowe, Tony Rice, Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, et al. It reminds me of people who's kids are amazed that Paul McCartney was in another band before Wings. For those who think Jerry was a virtual unknown before AKUS, I must say that you have your heads up your butts. Jerry was known as one of the finest musicians in the world long before he began playing with AKUS. This isn't a case of a guy playing with a band to make a ton of money. It isn't a situation where Jerry should just be happy to be the dobro player in AKUS & put a lid on his creativity because the band needs his full attention. This is one of those truly rare occasions when a group of musicians comes together to make some of the finest music out there today. No egos, no bullshit. Just great music, great people & great performances that will be the benchmark for future musicians. Unfortunately, it's being wasted on some of you knuckleheads who just want to talk about personalities & non existent hard feelings amongst the players. Instead of all this foolish speculation, I suggest you enjoy the music. This kind of talent doesn't come around very often.
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Post by akusgal41790 on Oct 1, 2005 23:11:18 GMT -5
Greatly said Catdog. AKUS is an outstanding group of musicians unlike any other. They're just enjoying the music they're playing, and lovin every minute of the talent they've been given. I am personaly greatful that they put it out there for people like us to listen to. I mean, who cares why they say featuring Jerry Douglas, or who has more instrumental solos than the other? It seems to me that we are all lucky to be here to listen to this amazing talent. (And to be clear, I'm not trying to say that other people don't feel that way.)
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Catdog
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Post by Catdog on Oct 1, 2005 23:34:10 GMT -5
Right on sister! LOL
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Post by BonnevilleMariner on Oct 2, 2005 0:52:29 GMT -5
"Some of the people responding to it are not even aware of the contributions Jerry Douglas has made to bluegrass."
Not true. I hear them say it at every concert, in every interview, on every CMT special, on every AKUS-related message board. It has been pounded into my brain countless times.
Look, I'll be completely honest with you all. I don't mean to offend or stir the pot. But maybe an explanation may help some of you realize why I see things the way I do. Remember, it's just my honest opinion.
I like the dobro. I love how it sounds in AKUS's music. But the dobro just doesn't have a special place in my heart. Nothing against it, it just isn't great for me. Before AKUS, I never knew who Jerry was. And I didn't exactly grow up ignorant of the music world. I'll refer to my first post in this thread. The review I referenced hit it straight on the head for me. Jerry's status as the king of dobro is akin to being touted as the NFL's best long snapper or the best darn in-bounder in basketball.
For those who are really into long-snapping and in-bounding, I guess that's pretty cool. For those of us that aren't- it really isn't that special. I agree, you need those people on teams. I really like Jerry's fit in AKUS and his dobro is indeed the best. And I don't need to know the whole history of his work with Emmylou Harris and Sam Bush and all these bands in order to appreciate his talent.
I just honestly don't see what the big deal is. And it wouldn't matter except that it seems like everywhere I go-- concerts, message boards, news articles-- all I hear about is how great Jerry is, how much we love him, how honored we are to have him in the band, how he revolutionized music. Maybe my dad's cancer would be cured if he could but touch Jerry's dobro. I know that's extreme, but from reading some of the posts on Jerry's website and listening to Alison talk about him at the concerts, you'd think Jerry literally walked on water.
It seems like everybody drools over him. And, to me at least, he seems to be very aware of that. Try as I may I just can't relate to that. Excuse the reference, but I look at Jerry like a gay guy looks at playboy. I don't get what all the fuss is about.
Then I noticed a few things during the three concerts I've seen him in. I don't plan on relating these things on this board because I don't entirely understand the context in which they took place. I've already been lynched (albeit gently) for even slightly criticizing him here and asking a valid question about the band name. I'm resting my case on the topic of arrogance because I'm burning bridges here left and right.
On the personal level, Jerry's music hasn't influenced my life. But AKUS's has- both before and now with Jerry. I may not play an instrument and I may not have met a bunch of artists, but my life is extremely musically oriented. Music is a constant undertone that weaves itself into the daily fabric of my soul.
And AKUS's music is a big part of that. It's a very special part of that. To the extent that Jerry has touched me, its been as a member of AKUS. To me, he doesn't have to take center stage or become a part of the band's name. Though all your theories about the name change are very plausible, to me it still sets Jerry apart from the rest of the band and puts him on a pedastal that I personally don't- and probably will never- understand.
The name change isn't really that big a deal with me. But I did wonder about it and decided to ask the question here. I never have and never will let it interfere with my enjoyment of their music. All I ask is that my opinion be given as much consideration as the rest of yours. Again, I'm not trying to be a smart-A or offend. This is just my opinion and I feel it's as valid the rest of yours.
I'm not saying the dobro is less important or appealing than any of the other instruments in the band, I'm just saying I don't see it as more important or more appealing.
To me, Jerry isn't a god or some grand master. To me, he's the quiet guy standing to the left of Alison playing the dobro. He's the guy that can crack a joke out of the blue that will have me rolling on the floor. He's the guy who uses Gold Bond and isn't afraid to tell the world about it. That's it, in all it's non-glory.
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Post by eyesoflove on Oct 2, 2005 9:18:34 GMT -5
"Dobro is actually a specific brand of resophonic guitars (now owned by Gibson) made by the Dopyera Brothers."
Believe it or not I actually knew that Dobro was a brand. I've told you about my dad being a musician and stuff and I asked him what the difference was between his resonator guitar and our band member's dobro and he explained that. In fact, he may have even explained the Dopyera Bros. part and I'm just too dingy to remember lol. Thanks for giving me that piece o' info.
Bonneville.....I really don't think that for the most part your opinion has been overlooked. You just hold the minority opinion so you feel under persecution when everyone and their Mammy comes on here disagreeing. That said, I think there's a tactful way and a not-so-tactful way to disagree with someone, but when you're posting on a public forum you never know what you're going to get. Try not to take stuff to heart, though. After all, you don't know us, we don't know you so who really cares what we think? lol But I think something has become clear to me after reading your last post and that is that Jerry's accolades just rub you the wrong way and because he's a rock in your shoe so to speak, you just zero in on him whenever he's around. I'm not saying you don't enjoy his music...but he's still a rock in your shoe. That's probably why most people can't relate to your assessment of him. You actually pay more attention to him than his supporters. That's often the case when something gets on your nerves. Honestly, the way I see it, just as many people sing Alison's praises, but for some reason that doesn't get your panties in a wad in the same way. As far as the band goes...well, they all praise each other. Alison always goes out of her way to give her recurrent songwriters praise. They're just a grateful bunch o' people.
Stacy
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Post by Jason on Oct 2, 2005 10:29:31 GMT -5
I just want to respond to a few things before I bow out of this thread for good. For the record, I don't believe anyone was attempting to speak for the band. I was only posting my personal opinions about everything. Because my opinion is different from yours it doesn't make me a knucklehead, and I don't appreciate you saying so. Again, no one was saying that the band didn't want it to be this way. I was saying that I didn't like the addition of all of the solos. Also, Jerry plays alone on stage for two songs during a live show. So how can you say that he doesn't play more solos then the rest of the band. It is a fact. I don't deny Jerry's talent, he is an amazing musician. I just don't personally feel that he deserves separate billing. And to quote Alison, "that's my thoughts on that."
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