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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | I was just listening to a holiday CD by Peter White (Sounds of the Season). It is pretty good, and I wanted to find out more about him. So, I did the google thing and found his website. The bio section was interesting, but the technical section caught my attention. Here's a snippet:
I played Ovation guitars on stage for many years but since March 1999 I have used a 'Super Ace' designed by Paul McGill in Nashville TN. He sent me the guitar by UPS to try out (having never even met me) and I liked it so much that I used it the very next day in concert. Check out his site at http://www.mcgillguitars.com.
Since then, I have used it on hundreds of appearances and I consider it a real breakthrough in guitar design. It is light, sounds great, and resists feedback. No more stuffing the soundhole with T-Shirts and packing material! It utilizes the RMC pickup that is also used in the Godin Classical. Click the links to see photographs of Peter's red and blue McGill guitars.
That's kind of a bummer that he isn't playing O's any more. Not that he's a huge name or anything, but... There is a pic in the bio section that looks like he's playing a blue Adamas, but it's hard to tell. |
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June 2003
Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | My wife and I are big Peter White fans. We saw him in person on CD 101.9 FM Cool Cruise. The cruise was on a ship called the Spirit Of New York. The seating was first come-first serve. We sat just to the right of the sax player and drummer.We are in some of the photos on the radio station website. We took plenty of pictures and got his autograph. I wanted to post the pictures but I haven't had time to have my negatives scanned.
He did something very special for a newly wed couple. This couple arrived extra early and were among the first people on line. They saw Peter White when he arrived. The told him that their first dance as husband and wife was a song of his called the Prayer. He made an announcement of meeting this couple and added that song to his set. The couple got up on stage and danced while he played. It was very special.
I remembered that on one of his CD covers that he was holding an Ovation. I didn't realize that he played another brand guitar until he stepped out to perform.
If you pick up any of his cd's starting with Reflections to his current Cd Confidential you will enjoy them all.
Phil |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Peter White had done a LONG stint as Al Stewart's ("Year of the Cat"/"Time Passages") guitarist.
A really good live "unplugged" album of their's is "Rhymes in Rooms" (cover consists of two Ovations standing side-by-side). GREAT guitar work showcasing that distinctive "live" Ovation sound . . . |
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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | That is one EXTREMELY nice guitar! Heck, If they game me one I'd sure be playing it too. Love the slothead design. |
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December 2002
Posts: 939
Location: Fort Worth, Texas | I like the inlay on the fretboard, nice touch. |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | I will grant that the McGill is a fine looking instrument. The fret markers are very appealing, and the headstock is all elegent simplicity. I am always impressed by luthiers who make high quality instruments and then do not put their name anywhere on the exterior. That shouts 'self-esteem' at me. It's a work of art, not a commodity, eh?
That's interesting about him being Al Stewart's guitarist. I have a soft spot for both 'Time Passages' and 'Year of the Cat.' Fond memories of being young and having to sit in the back of my folks car on the way back from my grandparents...they always had that mellow 60/70s stuff going. 'Slip Slidin' Away' is another one that makes me all warm and fuzzy. Those Stewart tunes had to have been mid-70s. Now I'm not going to get any work done today (ha! Like I ever do). Buy me a ticket on the last train home, tonight... |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Stewart always seemed to get pigeon-holed with those two slick, syrupy, "commercial" successes.
If you pick up some of his CD's (it was more late 70's/early 80's) you'll find some top-notch musicians (especially guitarists) assembled in excellent production (a bunch of his albums were produced by Alan Parsons).
A lot of the subject matter in his songwriting had to do with History, and led to some very compelling (to me, anyway) lyrics. Much different than a lot of the crap that was written at the time (or now . . .).
Peter White enjoys a pretty substantial success on the "Smooth Jazz" FM markets. It's too bad he didn't stick with Ovations . . .
. . . where's Bernie Williams when ya' need him?? |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | I never bonded with Stewart's music. It all sounded the same to me.
Year of The Cat? Made about as much sense as A Horse With No Name. |
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November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Come on Paul. You mean you can't identify with La,La, La-La-La-La. Some of the most in depth lyrics of our time? |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | After years of listening to Jimmy Webb, Harry Chapin, Paul Williams, and a few others, I'm spoiled. I wanna listen to a song that says something. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | . . . and "MacArthur's Park" (Jimmy Webb) "says" . . . . ? ? ? |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | The one funky tune that Webb wrote (which also made him zillions of bucks)..... |
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November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | That one is pretty simple. Someone left the damn cake out in the rain. |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Paul Williams ... now there's one that I haven't thought about for years. I saw him do a GREAT show at the Universal Ampitheatre many, many years ago. He was a fabulous performer and had totally connected with the audience before much time went by at all. Then, about halfway through the show, he looked directly at the middle of the seats and said "Can you guys help me with this hum" at which point the sold out crowd responded in unison with a vigorous "hummmmmmmmmmm". The entire band and Paul totally cracked up ... when he composed himself said "Thank you very much, but I was talking to the sound techs". Brought the house down. |
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February 2002
Posts: 83
Location: Columbus, OH | I've known Paul McGill for a long time. We met at Scott Chinery's house and I had the opportunity to see one of Paul's resonator guitars. Breathtaking is probably the best word for it. I was in Nashvegas for Namm a few years back and went to Paul's shop (in his home) and he did everything he could to get me to buy one of his Super Ace guitars. I thought it was cool, but it didn't really do it for me. And the price tag was in another league altogether. Paul also makes some awesome classicals including the Muriel Anderson model. |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by DavidE:
I've known Paul McGill for a long time...
I was all geared up to ask if you could get us some deals, then I read:
And the price tag was in another league altogether.
And decided if I have to ask...
:) |
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Ovation lost another one