Comments on: Classic Gear: Pedal Steel Guitar

By: Don K

Don K — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 23:53:05 +0000

Steel Gutar Rag is neither a “old Hawaiian lap steel rag”, or “the 1920’s “Guitar Rag”". It was composed (along with a number of other Steel GUitar classic tunes) by Leon McAuliff – the legendary steel guitar player in Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys Band. Leon was one pioneers who brought the steel guitar into country music long before the pedelers you mention here got going! Please, at the very least give credit where credit is due!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:35:50 +0000

I recommend Lloyd Maines’ playing on Uncle Tupelo’s Anodyne, the title track’s great, but “High Water” is sublime

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:11:05 +0000

Loved this post. Four phenomenal songs. Great job!

By: jonder

jonder — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:29:51 +0000

@Tony C.: I took a class on ethnomusicology (a LONG time ago, so don’t quote me on this), and the professor said that it was radio broadcasts of Hawaiian music that influenced the C&W musicians here on the mainland. But I bet you’re right too about the exposure of American GI’s to Hawaiian culture. According to Allmusic, Webb Pierce released “Slowly” in 1956.

By: Liberty

Liberty — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:20:01 +0000

Great post! Another Steeler i highly recommend is Mr. Joe Goldmark AKA the Kosher Cowboy. He has some great stuff put out on an independent label in San Francisco.

By: Len Liechti

Len Liechti — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 08:41:30 +0000

Wow, that’s seriously leftfield. Is that where Joe Walsh got the idea from? And what’s even weirder is the bunch of marionettes on backing vocals. Nashville’s got a lot to answer for.

On a more serious note, pedal steel enthusiasts should also search out the tracks laid down by ace pedaller Speedy West with Jimmy Bryant, the inventor of two-fingered tapping on the guitar, during the period 1950-60. Several fine compilations still in print. Fire on the strings, indeed.

By: Nik

Nik — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:02:56 +0000

man, if any of you dig a righteous dose of strange with your pedal steel guitar, you have got to dig pete drake’s talkin guitar! aka the pedal steel behind dylan’s nashville skyline & harrison’s all things must pass. I absolutely love sneaky pete’s work with the burritos, but as for taking the instrument into weird territory…

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9f80z_pete-drake-forever_music

By: tony c

tony c — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:41:14 +0000

So, did the instrument get it’s biggest push w/ American G.I.’s stationed in Hawaii??

My dad was from that generation, loved country music, and always called it “Hawaiian guitar”, no matter the style.

My favorite steel records are the honky tonk tunes from the 60′s: Jones, Buck, Paycheck (his best work), the Hag, etc.

My old roommate bought a collection of 75+ LP’s from a store for like a $1buck each a few years back. Mostly Starday stuff. That label is THEE country label, methinks. Hillbilly Heaven.

By: Len Liechti

Len Liechti — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:29:08 +0000

Great post. I love the sound of the pedal steel! I can play the basics on just about every other stringed instrument, but the idea of tackling the pedal steel scares me sh*tless. Chapeau to the gifted few who can make it talk. Sneaky Pete Kleinow is simply the best, because he takes the beast where nobody else thinks to go. His work on Gram’s The Gilded Palace Of Sin is simply the most revolutionary pedal steel work ever. Oh, and don’t forget Jerry Garcia, who taught himself the instrument: catch his glorious solo on CS&N’s “Teach Your Children”.

By: phil spector

phil spector — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:47:08 +0000

for some more pedal steel music try those two groups :

- The MISUNDERSTOOD with Glenn Campbell at the pedal steel (not the famous singer).

and

- The NEWS “Hot Off The Press” excellent private press Lp
http://www.thestrangeexperienceofmusic.com/article-36200313.html

enjoy!!!