Lucky Oceans with Asleep at the Wheel

Mike Poholsky · From: Kansas, USA

Here's a name I don't see thrown around here very much. Lucky Oceans. I just burned and listened to '74 self titled "Asleep at the Wheel".(Choo,Choo Cha Boogie, Bloodshot Eyes, Our Names Aren't Mentioned) I know these guys did't blaze the trail, but they nailed Western Swing to the wall on that record. Just really well done. Every musician, including Lucky was killin' it on that record. Seems like I read somewhere that Lucky Oceans liked to listen to horn parts. It really shows on this one. He plays with the horn section so well. Even his slow country stuff is filled with unique little techniques that are dead on. Always loved that whole record, especially Luckys playing. Just hadn't heard it in awhile.
Not to mention Chris O'Connells voice is smokin hot!
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Zumsteel 12 Universal
SGBB
ShoBud VP
'64 Fender Twin Reverb/Fox Rehab
Fender Steel King w/BW 1501-4
FX to Taste

Russ Wever · From: Kansas City

Lucky was one of the founding members of AATW -
He has been living in Perth for quite a while, but comes stateside every once in a while.

He has a new recording out (a couple years ago, called 'Secret Steel') that shows very well how mighty a player he is.

~Russ

Brint Hannay · From: Maryland, USA

I highly recommend the album "Lucky Steels the Wheel". Great stuff!

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

Lucky is a great player. He has one of the most perfect vibratos I've ever seen. His execution is always flawless, and his playing tasteful.

He was the guy that got me started with steel guitar back when Asleep At The wheel lived in Oakland Ca. My first steel was the Sho-Bud 6139 he used to record the initial AATW album. I traded a '64 Dodge Dart and $100 for it. That guitar had "tone for days".

Per Berner · From: Skovde, Sweden

That album (AATW's untitled one) is, IMO, the best one AATW ever did. Many of the later ones come close, but this one wins. The steel on "Dead man" and "I'm gonna be a wheel someday" is awesome!

Lucky is now playing with the Zydecats - I have their live CD, and it's really good. Swing, boogie, blues, Zydeco - it's all there, and everyone's having fun.

Anyone know of any post-AATW recordings by Chris O'Connell? Hers is one of the best female voices ever, and it needs to be heard a lot more.

Archie Nicol R.I.P. · From: Ayrshire, Scotland

Some classic AATW:

Click Here

Arch.
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I'm well behaved, so there!

Jeff Agnew · From: Dallas, TX

Mike Poholsky · From: Kansas, USA

Per, I have to agree with you, That record is far and away the best AATW record. They must of had some kind of MOJO on those sessions. Its quite a line up of musicians, that all just got it right.
Tony, since you speak in the past tense I assume you don't have that guitar anymore? Did it at least leave some Lucky Licks for you?
To me Luckys playing on that record is just so fresh and original. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, But it sounds like his setup was ShoBud-VP-Twin. Great tone and character. IMO
_________________
Zumsteel 12 Universal
SGBB
ShoBud VP
'64 Fender Twin Reverb/Fox Rehab
Fender Steel King w/BW 1501-4
FX to Taste

J Fletcher · From: London,Ont,Canada

Another vote for "Lucky Steels the Wheel". Best version I've ever heard of "Deep Water". I think that whole record is played on non-pedal steel...Jerry

Bob Miano · Posted 25 Apr 2008 5:15 am

Aside from Lucky being a great player, he is also a super nice guy. Met him several times over the years when he was with The Wheel and he would always stop to talk. Very Classy !!!
Not to forget his dancing skills
during the "Bump Bounce Boogie" (for those fortunate enough to have caught them "live" performing that tune.)

Bob Miano

Milt Quackenbush · From: Gold Coast, Nerang Queensland

I had the opportunity to jam with Lucky a couple of weeks ago when he came over to the house, and he is without a doubt, one of the greatest players I've known. We jammed on two steels for 4 hours. He's a genius on that instrument. I was in awe of his pick blocking. Man, he is so fast, and so clean. It was so much fun we plan on doing it again soon.

I did a recording session with him last year which was an absolute blast. The band was really cooking and it was so much fun I almost felt guilty taking the check.

Not only is he an awesome player, but he's a great guy too.

Tom Moorman · From: Decatur, GA USA

Archie,

Thanks for the link. This is the best of many great AATW groupings! It brought back many memories.

Tom

Mike Shefrin · Posted 25 Apr 2008 11:54 am

I had the pleasure of meeting Lucky a couple of years back, and had dinner with him and Jim Cohen. He's a great player, a super smart guy, and also a genuinely nice person.

Robbie Bossert · From: WESCOSVILLE,PA,U.S.A.

Try to get your hands on the disc that he recorded with a band called "Dude Ranch". GREAT STUFF!

RObbie Bossert
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Emmons LeGrande III Pedal Steel. '54 Gibson lap steel, Peavey Nashville 1000, Nashville 400, Telecaster,Banjo, Peavey Power slide Lap Steels ,Effects, and other assorted crap.....

Mark Eaton · Posted 25 Apr 2008 8:40 pm

Lucky is a member here and posted pretty recently, maybe he'll chime in!
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Mark

Ron Scott · From: Michigan

Hey MIlt you mean he is better to jam with than me ( Laughing

) Good to see you post on this site...Ron
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Franklin D10 Stereo - 8 and 6 - Black Box-Zum Encore 4 and 5 Nashville 400,Session 400, DD3 for delay ,also Benado Effects pedal.
Steeling with Franklin's..and Zum Encore

Milt Quackenbush · From: Gold Coast, Nerang Queensland

You bet! He played in bare feet...lol Hey, miss jamming with you at the duck blind.

Ron Scott · From: Michigan

Now that was better...Yea the Duck Blind...RS
_________________
Franklin D10 Stereo - 8 and 6 - Black Box-Zum Encore 4 and 5 Nashville 400,Session 400, DD3 for delay ,also Benado Effects pedal.
Steeling with Franklin's..and Zum Encore

Lucky Oceans · From: Fremantle, W Australia, Australia

Guys,

I haven't been on the forum for a couple of weeks so I've just come across this thread. Thank you for your very kind comments - I am so pleased and happy that you said all those nice things! I believe it was a Fender Twin for that album although, if I'd known about them then, I would have had a vibrasonic then like I do now. (But....the thing about Twins is one can be superb and the next one an absolute dog!)

Lucky Steels the Wheel was recorded all on lap steels - a Richenbacker bakelite 7 strings, an aluminum double 8 and an Eddie Alkire 10 string. Both Lucky Steels the Wheel and Secret Steel are available online.

And yes, I was always into horn parts and love to play in section with other instruments - fiddles, saxes, horns. A lot of the time in my current band, the Zydecats, I'm riffing with our sax player. And back in the day when I did more of that, I liked to copy solos played on other instruments to expand my range on steel.

Best regards to all of you - great to hear from you again,

Lucky

Mike Poholsky · From: Kansas, USA

Lucky, always enjoy your stuff. You've supplied me with quite a few tasty licks over the years. Especially early on, when I hardly had anything sorted out on this instrument. Your solo on "Jumpin At The Woodside", I had that one down! LOL Thanks
_________________
Zumsteel 12 Universal
SGBB
ShoBud VP
'64 Fender Twin Reverb/Fox Rehab
Fender Steel King w/BW 1501-4
FX to Taste

Lucky Oceans · From: Fremantle, W Australia, Australia

Thanks, Mike,

Maybe you can The Woodside solo back to me - actually I think it's probably Buck Clayton's (trumpeter for Count Basie)solo more than mine! Winking

Be well,

Lucky

Tom Middleton · From: Austin, Texas, USA (deceased)

Lucky, what tuning do you use on the Rick Bakelite 7-String?

Lucky Oceans · From: Fremantle, W Australia, Australia

It's pretty boring Tom, but CEGACEG, low to high, very occasionally tuning the low C up to C sharp. Sings that way.

I think I had the 10 string lap tuned to standard C6th with a D on top.

regards,

Lucky

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

Lucky WAZZZZZZZZZUP? Laughing

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Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952.

Herb Steiner · From: Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064

Lucky!! My MAN!! Very Happy

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My rig: Infinity and Telonics.

Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?

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