I'm Just A Guitar (everybody Picks On Me)---pete Drake

[Roger Shackelton]

Here is a tune by PETE DRAKE & his Talking Steel Guitar.

Pete was not a jam session, type steel player, but he was one of the most successful session players in Nashville in the 1960s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uea85zkl ... re=related


ROGER

[Alan Miller]

Im a big big fan and his record "Forever " sold a million ,he found something that people liked BUT it is a shame that this talking guitar is what he is mainly remembered for.
It was a great gimmick and a steel guitar made a great sound through a talk box, but he did much much more than this which seems to have been lost over the years.
It would be great to see some video of him playing normal instrumentals or backing a vocalist.

[Paul Graupp]

I'd say it was more like ignored than lost. I now find that when I was writing for Fender/Fretts, I too ignored his work in that I never even tried to get an interview with him. It was not the trendy thing to do in the 60's. I might have alienated the other so called types of steel players. That was too big a risk for me to take and might have destroyed my credibility as a steel writer.

Looking back at his accomplishments from this point in my life, I can see how wrong that was of me. I find no solace in knowing that I was not alone in these feelings but perhaps I'm learning better by feeling distain for any comment that may even hint of an excuse for why Pete was who he was.

I recall the first time I saw that picture of Lloyd Green and Pete playing the same Sho-Bud. I thought to myself: He already knows what I am just finding out !!

I also wonder if anyone else has ever heard Pete play a Hal Rugg written song titled My Bluest Day ?? I have yet to hear a recording of it by Hal but have always remembered Pete's version as something special and beautiful. And that afterall is what he was as well; Something Special and Beautiful in this World of Steel Guitar.

Regards, Paul

[Jeff Bradshaw]

I also wonder if anyone else has ever heard Pete play a Hal Rugg written song titled My Bluest Day ?? I have yet to hear a recording of it by Hal but have always remembered Pete's version as something special and beautiful. And that afterall is what he was as well; Something Special and Beautiful in this World of Steel Guitar.

Paul, I have never heard this and would really like to, where would I look for such a recording?

Thanks. ..jeff

[Paul Graupp]

Jeff: I got a Pete Drake album when I was in Europe for seven years with the USAF. I think it was on Liberty and it was an old vinyl 33&1/3 LP. It was an early intro into what later became one of his signature sounds on the C6th neck in that it used the same pedals, 6 and 7 but in a jazz like setting and not the Nashville style he originated. I haven't the slighest clue where you might get to hear it or buy it. Sorry !!

Regards, Paul

[Roger Shackelton]

The mid instrumental portion sounds very BLUESY to me.


Roger

[Eddie Cunningham]

" My Bluest Day" by Pete Drake is on an L.P. "Forever" - "Pete Drake & His Talking Steel Guitar" on the "Smash" label along with "Forever" , "Sleep Walk" , "I'm Just a Guitar , Everybody Picks on Me " and "Danny Boy" and several others !!. Great steel and unusual sounds !!! Eddie "C" ( the old non-pedal no reverb out of work geezer )

[Jeff Bradshaw]

I found a copy of the album...I will post links to a couple mp3's when I get it converted to a CD...this stuff should not just fall by the wayside. All the best. ..jeff