Pedal Steel Guitar

[steelyman]

A friend of mine sent me this a while ago, and I filed it in the "whoa, that looks odd!" folder.

Fender made these hydras I think in the late 50's, and this one ended up here. I can't imagine dealing with this thing, but I do like the dingus on the lowest neck that reminds me of the cranks they used to start Model T's. Kind of like the music itself.

The player is Buddy Merrill, and he's young but working it. He had to be good, to get on the show of Mr. Anna-One-Anna-Two.

Buddy Merrill plays "South" on the Fender Steel Guitar - YouTube

[steelyman]

I was going to wait until this thread made it for a year without getting hopped on. But maybe it's good to do some things early... like retire

This is a reprise (and I think better) of the first one posted here.

Buddy Emmons & Ray Price - I love You Because - YouTube

[HFWR]

Some Jerry Jeff, with an assist from Lloyd Maines (around the 3 min. mark)...

Jerry Jeff Walker - I Like My Women (A Little On The Trashy Side) - YouTube

[Sarah in SC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFWR Some Jerry Jeff, with an assist from Lloyd Maines (around the 3 min. mark)... Jerry Jeff Walker - I Like My Women (A Little On The Trashy Side) - YouTube

I love that song!

[steelyman]

There's no getting around it: this is a real "tears in your beer" one, unabashedly country. But it's a classic steel tune and lends itself to some great voicings. The player is Steve Palousek and he does a great job. The song is "I Love You So Much It Hurts".

I Love You So Much It Hurts Me.MOV - YouTube

[steelyman]

I know you've been dying for another one of these. Well, maybe not.

The steel player is Pete Drake and he is great, but the percussion makes it, in my opinion.

No video, so close your eyes.

Bob Dylan - Lay Lady Lay - YouTube

[steelyman]

Here's a tune written by Johnny Mercer that's a classic. It's the Texas crowd invading NOLA. The singer makes me think she should hang in the lobby, but the band and the tune more than make up for it. And if Ray Benson, the guy who is Asleep At The Wheel is there, so am I.

Mercer wrote a huge number of songs in the American Songbook, I think this one was for a movie and Bing Crosby sang it. My favorite is "Skylark".

Asleep At The Wheel "Old Cowhand" New Orleans Jazz Fest 2012 - YouTube

[steelyman]

Been a while. Here's one for our northern neighbors called "Canadian Sunset" and it's The Redneck Jazz Explosion. The guitar player is Danny Gatton and the guy on the steel is the person who is my icon here. He pulls out a device called an "E-Bow", which makes it sound like a bowed instrument. Gatton has this thing called a "Magic Dingus Box" hooked up to his guitar.

Canadian Sunset - Danny Gatton - YouTube

[steelyman]

No steel (that I can tell), but dobro is close and it's a class lady who sings like an angel doing a jazz standard;

http://youtu.be/KtibPrLOzQY

[steelyman]

I don't recall if I posted this before, but it's for the great Class Of 2014.

The steel player is Lucky Oceans.

When you're free, shout Wa-Hey!

http://youtu.be/25c8_LMnURE

[steelyman]

More Emmylou. I don't know who the steeler is, but I know I can never get enough of her.

"Bottle Let Me Down"

http://youtu.be/n0R1072H4PM

[steelyman]

One more drinking tune, this time Willie Nelson and George Jones accompanied by Buddy Emmons on pedal steel guitar.

http://youtu.be/HKD_o4gbcSE

[steelyman]

I'm on a Labor Day Emmylou roll.

Some years ago, we were trying to put together a western swing band, just me (on bass) and a lead guitarist. We needed a drummer, a steeler, and a female singer.

We put an ad out and a good drummer showed up quickly. We lucked out on the steel because a guy from Nashville had just moved to town who was a real gunslinger.

The vocalist was harder, these women kept calling and telling us their measurements! "But can you sing?". But one was outstanding and joined the band.

I would sing harmonies and she wanted to do this one, so we worked it up. But there are portions that are beyond my voice for the male part so I just had to stop in the middle one day and say, "I just can't do this one, sorry".

The steeler put his elbows on the guitar and his head in his hands and said, "If you don't have the range, you don't have the range".

We never did this song, but it's a great one from a great album. The tune is called "Wheels", the steel player is Hank Devito.

http://youtu.be/s0PTYK71_20

[steelyman]

p.s. The name of the album with "Wheels" is Elite Hotel.

[steelyman]

It's been a while. I posted a tune by Leon Russell today in a different thread. I was talking with someone later who asked, "didn't he do some country?", and I remembered albums he did as his alter-ego Hank Wilson.

Here's one I especially like with the great Curly Chalker making the steel cry:

http://youtu.be/FX4H7xS2h8Y

[Bamaman]

When I grew up in Nashville in the '50's and '60's, the men on the pedalsteel was Jerry Byrd and Pete Drake.

When Mr. Byrd was not on the road or working sessions, he worked at my neighborhood drug store, Pope's Drugs, part time. And he was a very nice man.

Jerry Byrd has an incredible discography. He was also dedicated to Hawaiian pedal steel music, and he lived and played there until he died.

See his bio on: Jerry Byrd - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[steelyman]

Bamaman: a mention of Jerry Byrd was missing from this thread until your post. He was way up there in the ranks of steel and, as mentioned in the link you posted, the very first inductee in the Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame.

I enjoyed reading your personal perspective about him. He always struck me (from a distance) as a very nice man, which you confirm.

I had the pleasure of hearing him in StL in the mid-90s one year at the convention. Saturday night is "The Big Show" night and they devoted a long early segment to Hawaiian steel, headlined by "The Master Of Touch And Tone", Jerry Byrd.

[steelyman]

Last fall I was walking around with some long-term friends when one stepped into a music store and came out with a little package that she presented to me, saying "You'll love the steel".

It took me weeks getting around to opening it and listen, but when I did it was clear: there he is again, the Big E From Tennessee, Buddy Emmons.

It's Judy Collins' recording of "Someday Soon", and also has James Burton and Stephen Stills:

http://youtu.be/4Jn90y9H9S4

[HFWR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelyman It's been a while. I posted a tune by Leon Russell today in a different thread. I was talking with someone later who asked, "didn't he do some country?", and I remembered albums he did as his alter-ego Hank Wilson. Here's one I especially like with the great Curly Chalker making the steel cry: http://youtu.be/FX4H7xS2h8Y

Great album!


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[HFWR]

One of my favorite John Hartford tunes. A little help from friends Benny Martin, Roy Husky Jr., Sam Bush, and, yes, Buddy Emmons, among others.

http://youtu.be/fWvosfqDhkw


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