Twelfth Street Rag--my take on Sol Hoopii's masterpiece!

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 20 Dec 2010 6:07 pm

Of all the amazing steel guitar performances that exist in the history of the instrument, Sol's "Twelfth Street Rag" is among the best ever recorded--both versions! I just finished transcribing Sol's 1938 Decca recording and I've made a mini-lesson package of it. This was one of the most fun things I've ever played, although it is a butt kicker. Even after playing it for a week, I can't catch up to Sol's tempo and precision, not to mention his absolute ease of playing.

Here's a recording I did of it today (this is about as good as I can do for now, but I'm going to practice!):
Twelfth Street Rag

What a challenging tune to play, on his own C#min7 tuning (which I love) on a simple 6 string steel. I used my old Electar Model M with an Aiello Potbelly pickup.

If you're interested in learning to play this tune, I have a package which includes a 16 minute demonstration of the techniques, Tabledit and pdf files, backing track, and an mp3 of Sol's version.
You can get a copy HERE.

Available for both Quicktime format and Mpeg (Windows Media Player). The downloads are approximately 300 and 400/mb.

Billy Gilbert · Post by **Billy Gilbert** » 20 Dec 2010 6:36 pm

It sounds great to me

Michael Robertson · Post by **Michael Robertson** » 20 Dec 2010 7:07 pm

My gosh what masterful tone
Some of the licks got me laughing
Absolute great recording
Kudos to you big time

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 20 Dec 2010 8:27 pm

Wow.
Great sounds and true to the style of that great old tune.

R2

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 20 Dec 2010 10:33 pm

Mike.....you've become a monster......

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 21 Dec 2010 7:20 am

Thanks, guys. I appreciate your comments!

Lee Gillespie · Post by **Lee Gillespie** » 21 Dec 2010 8:17 am

Hi Mike I'm with Michael.. I had to chuckle at a few of the licks in the song. You did a great job putting it together... Thanks... Lee

J D Sauser · Post by **J D Sauser** » 21 Dec 2010 8:24 am

C#m7, huh?
Is it pretty close to A6th?

... J-D.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 21 Dec 2010 9:56 am

Mike, somehow in the last year or so you seem to have decoded the steel guitar genome. Just when I think, "okay, this is the depth of Neer's playing ability and knowledge of music" you reveal two more levels - and this is happening just about monthly now. Conceptually speaking, I've never heard Sol deconstructed and reassembled with this degree of insight. Pat yourself on the back for me, will ya!

Twayn Williams · Post by **Twayn Williams** » 21 Dec 2010 10:31 am

Great job Mike!

Mike Neer wrote:This was one of the most fun things I've ever played, although it is a butt kicker. Even after playing it for a week, I can't catch up to Sol's tempo and precision, not to mention his absolute ease of playing.

That's why Sol is still the King of Hawaiian Steel Guitar!

You should do a version on your Tricone!!!

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 21 Dec 2010 12:13 pm

Andy Volk wrote:Mike, somehow in the last year or so you seem to have decoded the steel guitar genome. Just when I think, "okay, this is the depth of Neer's playing ability and knowledge of music" you reveal two more levels - and this is happening just about monthly now. Conceptually speaking, I've never heard Sol deconstructed and reassembled with this degree of insight. Pat yourself on the back for me, will ya!

+100 to that!

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 21 Dec 2010 12:36 pm

Hell yea! .. nice job Mike!

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 21 Dec 2010 1:19 pm

That was spectacular Mike!

Paypal funds sent, downloading as I write...

David Matzenik · Post by **David Matzenik** » 21 Dec 2010 2:44 pm

Mike,congratulations on a fine performance. It might be nice to be able to play as fast as Sol, but I don't mind hearing this piece cooled down a bit. There is a depth of tone that just cannot be appreciated at high tempos. As you probably know, Ragtime numbers are still popular at the Old-Time Fiddle Conventions. They are generally played at a more relaxed pace than one associates with the ragtime era, and like your recording they have a hint of the Blues.

Michael Kienhofer · Post by **Michael Kienhofer** » 21 Dec 2010 4:13 pm

Mike having trouble paying with my Visa,Is it possible that since I,m using a Canadian credit card it will not work for Me?

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 21 Dec 2010 5:13 pm

Michael, should not be a problem as long as you have a Paypal account. I'm not set up to take credit cards directly.

If anyone would like to pay by check or money order, those arrangements can be made, too.

Thanks again for the kind words, everyone. Andy, I'm blushing. I truly believe every word of what I say when it comes down to learning from the masters--not just what they play, but how they play, where they play it, etc. The more I do it, the more clear everything becomes. One's playing will skyrocket, but you have to be willing and able to put the time and work in.

Twayn, I would play it on tricone, but I don't have one any more. I've made an effort to stay in electric territory only.

Dave Giegerich · Post by **Dave Giegerich** » 21 Dec 2010 5:29 pm

Wow Mike, another killer tune. Great job on a classic. I just ordered the package. Thanks for doing this,
dave
ps the Aiello Pot Bellys rule!

James Williamson · Post by **James Williamson** » 21 Dec 2010 5:53 pm

Awesome as always Mike...paypal is sent

Mitch Crane · Post by **Mitch Crane** » 21 Dec 2010 6:24 pm

That is just too awesome... worth the price just to learn those "yodel" licks

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 21 Dec 2010 6:47 pm

Great Playing!!!
Wish i was 60 again!

Dan Eason · Post by **Dan Eason** » 22 Dec 2010 8:25 am

Mike, Please read all of the comments above again. They sum up my thoughts! Thanks for your diligence and sharing. Dan

Mark Roeder · Post by **Mark Roeder** » 22 Dec 2010 9:32 am

Great Mike, am I sensing a CD of your interpretations in the future, these appetizers are great but I'm hungry! Perhaps with liner notes by Andy Volk. Keep it up.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 22 Dec 2010 10:25 am

Mark Roeder wrote:Great Mike, am I sensing a CD of your interpretations in the future, these appetizers are great but I'm hungry! Perhaps with liner notes by Andy Volk. Keep it up.

Nope, I learn and play this stuff for its instructional value and for fun. If I ever find the opportunity, I want to record a project that I've had on the back burner--a tribute to Pat Metheny and John Scofield.

Mark Roeder · Post by **Mark Roeder** » 22 Dec 2010 11:04 am

That sounds cool....hope that happens sooner than later

Peter Lindelauf · Post by **Peter Lindelauf** » 22 Dec 2010 2:42 pm

That tune has left me smiling each time I've listened to it, Mike. Know you mentioned planning to practice some more but it sounds awful good already. Thanks for posting it.

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Twelfth Street Rag--my take on Sol Hoopii's masterpiece!

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