Expert: George Armstrong - 1/22/2008

Question
QUESTION: My favorite is Sam Andrew on One Good Man (Joplin, Kozmic Blues).  Sam Andrew doesn't play much like that on any other song. Who does? Buzz Feiten did in PBBB in 1969 or so but has gone soft.

Thanks,

Bill

ANSWER: Hi Bill,

You've got outstanding taste. I was lucky to see Sam Andrew a couple of times here in Chicago at the Electric Playground in the late 60's and early 70's.
Artists that play that style: I suggest Robben Ford first, then there are still some recordings of Clapton playing that slide style, especially when he plays with J.J. Cale.

I play that style of slide too! I use a glass slide with a Stratocaster set with the bridge high, and mostly play the B and high E strings. I dampen the strings to get the bluesey slur. For more tips on how to play it, see Glenn Weiser (Guitar Player Magazine).

You can watch Robben Ford play the style on some of his Austin City Limits recordings.  Thank you for this outstanding question! It brought back memories for me.
Regards, George Armstrong

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: George,
Thanks for your answer. I do prefer this style without a slide, though. Buzz Feiten, when I saw him with Paul Butterfield around 1969 at Lamberville Music Circus in NJ, did not use a slide (at least seldom). His eyes never, never seemed to stray to his guitar. Robben Ford is at times very close to the mark! But I like a very clean, pure string sound. Any others you can suggest?

Thanks, again,

-Bill

Answer
Hi Bill,
I thought you were asking about Sam Andrew's slide intro. However, aside from Robben Ford, you might like Bob Margolin (Blind Pig Records). He's got a clean Chicago/Delta sound. Also, Roy Buchanan (Atlantic) did some fine Telecaster playing. Roy plugged the Tele into a Fender amp, without a lot of drive. When I practice, I use a Tele or a Strat, and I set the amps to a clean sound to ensure I'm bending the notes with feeling. I hope you like these suggestions! Regards,
George