The Wizard of the Strings

Written by Dermot on Thursday, 15 October 2009

I first came across Roy Smeck via a Yazoo album called “Roy Smeck plays Hawaiian Guitar, Banjo, Ukulele and guitar”…if ever there was an album title to draw me in, this was it. An image of the cover now graces the table in my attic studio.

On the vaudeville circuit of the 1920s and 30s, Smeck was known as a ‘dumb act’, which meant he didn’t sing or talk, just played. He did, however, have a ‘novelty dance’ to accompany his playing. In a way this was kind of unfortunate as it may detract from his status as a serious player (and believe me, he was a serious player). Having said all that, there’s certain nobility in the old idea of being an ‘entertainer’ rather than taking yourself too seriously.

Smeck obviously listened to early jazz guitarists like Eddie Lang, and must have been influenced by Sol Hoopi, the big name in Hawaiian lap steel of the day.

One of Roy’s claim to fame was that he appeared on the first ever Vitaphone ‘sound on disc’ film system in a short called His pastimes. The short – released in 1926 - accompanied Warner Brothers’ Don Juan.

A prodigious session man, Smeck is said to have graced over 500 recordings. He also wrote instructional books for all the instruments he played.

Living to the ripe old age of 94, he never retired and played all the way up until his death in New York in 1994.

Given the current ‘vogue’ for ukulele music, I suspect he may resurface as an ‘icon’ soon, but – personally – I’d rather remember him for his slide guitar.

Here’s to Roy, The Wizard of the Strings.

 

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