Country Rock songs with steel - what's your favorite??

Mike Headrick · Post by **Mike Headrick** » 4 Feb 2008 12:19 pm

Just wanting your input on your favorite country rock songs, preferably ones noted for having steel guitar on them, or at least a steel in the band.

I'm formulating a new album/CD project as a follow-up to "Steels On Wheels". It will be 10-12 tracks, so I want to pack the most bang into it I can.

Right now I have five Poco songs picked, and I have some good ideas for some more from other groups, but I'm open to your suggestions for the rest of the tracks and would appreciate your input.

Thanks,

Mike H.

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 4 Feb 2008 12:28 pm

Rick Nelson, Album=Rudy the Fifth: Last Time Around, and, Sing Me A Song

Mike Nesmith/Red Rhodes, Album=The Hits Just Keep On Comin': Harmony Constant
(if you need copies of these tunes let me know)
Burrito Bros; Album=Gilded Palace of Sin: Sin City, and , Wheels

which 5 Poco numbers are have you picked?

Mike Headrick · Post by **Mike Headrick** » 4 Feb 2008 12:33 pm

Thanks for the quick reply and suggestions, Dave. Both those Burrito songs were actually on the Steels On Wheels CD. I appreciate the other suggestions and will take a serious look at them.

Eric Jaeger · Post by **Eric Jaeger** » 4 Feb 2008 12:45 pm

The universe of possible answers is way too big if you account for how fuzzy the category is and how long it's been around....

that said, I vote for "Devil in Disguise" off the first FBB album. Totally unique steel, doesn't copy anyone.

-eric

Mike Headrick · Post by **Mike Headrick** » 4 Feb 2008 12:55 pm

Devil In Disguise was also on the Steels On Wheels CD. So we can go into uncharted territory, here is a list of the tunes I have already recorded.

Devil In Disguise
Hickory Wind
One Step Forward
Juanita
Glass Hearts
Brass Buttons
Desert Rose
Sin City
One Hundred Years From Now
Hot Burrito #1
Hot Burrito #2
Summer Wind
Wheels
I Still Believe In You Now
Start All Over Again
Pancho & Lefty

Keith Murrow · Post by **Keith Murrow** » 4 Feb 2008 1:18 pm

New Riders of the Purple Sage - "Panama Red"; "Kick in the Head"

Pure Prairie League - "I'll Change your Flat Tire Merle"; "Out on the Street"

Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen - "Cravin' Your Love"; "Watch My .38"

Marshall Tucker Band - "Searchin' for a Rainbow"; "Fire on the Mountain"

Don Brown, Sr. · Post by **Don Brown, Sr.** » 4 Feb 2008 1:20 pm

Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin was always a crowd pleaser, as well as a song that could be done in so many different styles, it's a steel players delight.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 4 Feb 2008 1:43 pm

"Beat the Heat"

Sneaky recorded one version of it, and it was so twisted he never recorded it again. Legendary instrumental among Fender players - few of whom even try it.

Patrick Helly · Post by **Patrick Helly** » 4 Feb 2008 1:51 pm

Hey Mike,

Since you already have Poco ideas, how 'bout:

Eagles version of Tom Waitts " Old 55 "

Gene Pitney's " Town without Pity" would be great on PSG. Brian Setzer did a good version on guitar & big band.

Whispering Pines/ The Band

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 4 Feb 2008 2:00 pm

sorry wrong topic...

Jeff Garden · Post by **Jeff Garden** » 4 Feb 2008 2:39 pm

Great, Mike! Steels on Wheels was excellent...bring on Part II.

How about Sweet Lovin One (Buddy Cage on New Riders "Powerglide")
You Ain't Goin Nowhere off the Byrd's Sweethearts of the Rodeo

Anything off Chris Hillman/Herb Pedersen's "Bakersfield Bound" (lots of Jay Dee Maness steel on there)

And continuing with the Jay Dee theme: any of the tunes by the Desert Rose Band.

Chuck Thompson · Post by **Chuck Thompson** » 4 Feb 2008 3:12 pm

gram parsons "just one look" - poco "you better think twice" poco "barmaid in the honkey tonk downstairs" - nrps "dim lights thick smoke" nrps "i dont need a doctor" - commander cody "down to seeds and stems again"

Dustin Rhodes · Post by **Dustin Rhodes** » 4 Feb 2008 3:20 pm

Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart - Whiskeytown

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 4 Feb 2008 3:22 pm

Mike.. Listen to "Sweet Lovin One" on NRPS album Powerglide.. I think it would make a great instrumental... bob

Eric Jaeger · Post by **Eric Jaeger** » 4 Feb 2008 3:32 pm

Great list Mike. I'll have to get the first CD. But did you start off to make an FBB tribute CD? Kinda looks like it

I assume you're looking for applications of steel to songs that don't sound like trad country?

"Willin'" - Commander Cody
"Route 66" - Asleep at the Wheel
"Ooh Las Vegas" - Gram Parsons
"Ol'55" - Eagles
"Ezekial's Wheel" - Burrito Deluxe
"Third Rate Romance" - Amazing Rhythm Aces
"Cry Like a Baby" - Hacienda Brothers
"L.A. Freeway" - Jerry Jeff Walker

Stretching it in a few cases, but...

(edited to add - anything by Neil Young with Ben Keith)

Stephan Franck · Post by **Stephan Franck** » 4 Feb 2008 3:55 pm

Return of the Grievous angel; Desperado; Lying Eyes... would be great as steel instrumentals, IMO...

Btw, I really loved your Wheels album--AKA The Red Album, as I like to call it

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 4 Feb 2008 4:12 pm

FREEBIRD! Oh! Wait,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Ken Mizell · Post by **Ken Mizell** » 4 Feb 2008 5:04 pm

Eagles - "Best of my Love." That song had some nice steel backup in it, and I think it would make a great slower tune for your album. I have Steels on Wheels, and this effort should be great.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 4 Feb 2008 5:51 pm

everything john hughey did with dicky betts
everything john hughey did with willie
everything ralph mooney did with waylon

L. Blake Bowthorpe · Post by **L. Blake Bowthorpe** » 4 Feb 2008 7:30 pm

Doobie Brothers-- South City Midnite Lady, has some incredible Steel Guitar on it!

Dave Harmonson · Post by **Dave Harmonson** » 4 Feb 2008 7:33 pm

Take It Easy-Jackson Browne with Sneaky Pete steelin with phase shifter
I Can't Dance- Gram Parsons with Al Perkins
Willin'- Little Feat on their second album with Sneaky Pete

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 4 Feb 2008 8:29 pm

Fire on the Mountian, Had better on there

Rose of Cimmarron , MTB
Help is on its way , Little Feat
Two lane hiway, PPL

Stephen Silver · Post by **Stephen Silver** » 4 Feb 2008 8:44 pm

Long Time Gone....Dickey Betts w/John Hughey
Panama Red....NRPS
Bloody Mary Morning.....Willie w/John Hughey
Got Rainbows all Over My Blues...John Sebastian w/Emmons
You Better Think Twice....Poco
Kind Woman....Buffalo Springfield
Silver Threads and Golden Needles...Ronstadt w/Eddie Black

SS

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 4 Feb 2008 9:29 pm

"Bad Weather?"

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 4 Feb 2008 10:03 pm

How about:
It's So Nice To Be With You-Gallery
Sally G- McCartney
Garden Party-Rick Nelson
Afternoon Delight-Starland Vocal Band
One Toke Over The Line-Brewer and Shipley
Lay Lady Lay-Bob Dylan
Beaucoups Of Blues-Ringo Starr