Comments on: Stan Whitmire’s Old Time Gospel Piano

By: Rrockindrummer

Rrockindrummer — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:44:22 +0000

Avery– have only one statement for you since you are an obviously uninformed writer.
I have listened to this CD’s in fact…. It stays in my car, as well as a copy in the house.
It is probably my most favorite Record that Stanley has recorded, second only to “Seasons of Life.” To which I am sure you have never heard, because I do not believe you could fully appreciate the pure genius artistry displayed in every note…

That said, I take a little bit of offence to you statement about the “contrived and hokey bar-room and Rockettes ending” PUH…LEZ… he is just trying to shake a little dust off you stuck in the mud die harts… If you know him you would know that that Jazz blues feel, is because he likes that kind of music… Of course if you knew him you would also know that that CD is a dedicated project to the late D.J. Whitmire (His Father) who was a gem of a man, and loved this music just the way Stanley played it..…..

If he really cut loose he would blow Anthony out of the water (rest his soul)
I want to see you attempt to play like Stan.

Oh and Joe,, there is only ONE piano being used on “Good by World” yep’ he’s that good.

By: cdguy

cdguy — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 21:10:46 +0000

RR - thank you for the props to Tim. He is a friend, and an extremely talented artist. He, like Stan, knows how to be a true accompanist, when that’s what’s called for, and how to impress us with flash, when that’s called for. And he’s able to discern the time and place for each.

Tim was out of the limelight for too many years, and many sg fans were not aware of him and his talent, until he began playing for L5. I’m glad to see him in a place of service, where he can get the recognition he deserves.

And also I’m glad the L5 fans have embraced him. He’s not Roger, but no one is. Roger’s shoes were big ones to fill, but I think Tim, with his own personality and style, is a nice fit with the other guys of L5.

By: RR

RR — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 04:43:35 +0000

I have been very impressed with the piano artistry of Tim Parton.

By: Alan

Alan — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:02:59 +0000

As spectacular as Anthony Burger’s piano was, there was a sameness about much of his arranging. Not Stan. Your opinion, Doug, that there was just “too much” on too many of these songs, and not enough time to breathe, is fine. We’re all entitled to our opinions. My take, however, is that if these most stupendous fills made every song sound the same, then I would agree. But, even with so many old-time convention songs, there’s still a breathtaking eclecticism in both style and execution when Stan is playing them. Best of all, he can then turn around and play something that’s as sparse yet technically perfect, as he does on Mark Lowry’s “Come To Jesus”, or LordSong’s “Wandering Heart”, and his treatment of ballads and/or “feel” songs is no less spectacular than his blinding runs on the CD you mentioned. On one of the Gaither “Heaven” DVD’s, Whitmire accompanies David Phelps on “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go”. Phelps nails it, as he tends to do, but Stan’s accompaniment on solo piano alone, is worth the $30 cost of the DVD. Chalk me up as one who believes that overall, both in technicality and precision, as well as passion, he’s the very best who has ever played Gospel piano. Bar none. That he’s left out of award after award is one of the biggest mysteries to me. Maybe it’s because he doesn’t show off, or hog the limelight enough. Ah well…that’s fine with me too. His quiet dignity, and that neat little smile says it all when he plays. He’s at the very top of the very top of his craft, and listening to him is a textbook lesson in piano perfection.

By: Al Locke

Al Locke — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:29:51 +0000

I have know Stan since he was a young teenager. One of his teachers was Eloise Phillips, Roswell, GA. She probably has taught more quality SG pianist than anyone in this era. Of course, Tracey Phillips is her daughter. Eloise still teaches at Ben Speer’s school every year.
Stan is the premier SG pianist today.

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:52:41 +0000

One reason why Stan’s incredible version of “Goodbye World, Goodbye” is so incredible, is that he is playing 2 pianos.

At 2 separate times. If I am not mistaken, that is the only song on the CD that has double keyboards…

By: David Bruce Murray

David Bruce Murray — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:20:37 +0000

I just noticed the description of the book on Stan’s website:
“Old Time Gospel
Piano Song Book

Here’s the music for all the Gospel songs on this CD!

You can sit down at the piano and learn how to play these songs.”

I wish…

By: David Bruce Murray

David Bruce Murray — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:18:29 +0000

Whitmire has long been a favorite of mine ever since I bought a copy of _Old Time Southern Gospel Piano_. (It just suddenly hit me that I don’t have any selections from this CD on my iRiver. Then, I just went to the shelf and I couldn’t find it!!! ARRRGHGH!)

I also own a copy of the folio. You owe it to yourself to obtain a copy for yourself before you go so far as say, “He doesn’t do anything that wouldn’t have necessarily been beyond Eva Mae or Rosa Nell or Tommy Fairchild or other masters of the style in their prime.”

I believe he does.
http://www.stanwhitmire.com/books.html

By: Bobbie

Bobbie — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 03:15:32 +0000

I am a frequent reader of this blog, and it is always well written. Sometimes it teaches me and other times it is “over my head.” This post is of the second kind.
Stan Whitmire is one of my favorite solo pianists, and I always enjoy when he plays for some group (like Greater Vision) at NQC.
I’ve had and enjoyed the project you write
about here although I didn’t know all the technical reasons that it works for listeners like me. Thanks for writing about an older CD (I think it was done around 10 years ago). Wonder what Stan will think about this analysis of his playing??

By: Bryce

Bryce — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:33:55 +0000

“He doesn’t do anything that wouldn’t have necessarily been beyond Eva Mae or Rosa Nell or Tommy Fairchild or other masters of the style in their prime.”

I recommend you purchase the companion folio to this CD. Walking tenths in the left hand, similar to those used by Fats Waller and Art Tatum (two other “fancy-fingered” stride piano masters who are now heralded as geniuses) are physically impossible to navigate for most southern gospel players.

Icons like Burger often assumed the second inversion and alternated pinky with thumb and first to carry the rhythm. Others such as Bennett frequently allowed the bass guitar to catch the downbeats, and instead chorded on beats two and three (or four). The pianists you named are/were wonderful, but Whitmire is most assuredly capable beyond those who preceded him.