Noel Boggs' "Tenderly"

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 25 Jan 2011 3:00 pm

Noel Boggs' arrangement of Tenderly is one of the most beautiful versions of this tune I've ever heard. The arrangement is sparse, with lovely ad lib piano and a light rhythm section, and Noel really takes his time and plays behind the beat. His chord work is dazzling. Everything about Noel's performance a thing of beauty. He definitely belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of non-pedal players.

Here's Noel's version of Tenderly:

It took me ages to figure it out, but I have done a complete transcription with tab and notation. It may be possible that Noel played it on 2 necks, but I've transcribed it for a single B11 neck. It can be played on 6 string lap steel, too. This is another one of those tunings you can get from retuning a C6 with an E 1st string--you only have to retune 4 strings 1/2 step each.

I recorded this on my Clinesmith about a year ago. I've refined it since and playing on a shorter scale instrument makes it a little easier for me:

My version of Tenderly

If you're interested in learning this one, I have a video package available at http://www.steelinfromthemasters.com

Billy Tonnesen · Post by **Billy Tonnesen** » 25 Jan 2011 3:43 pm

This is a great example of Noels pop style of playing. He is switching necks as needed as the song progresses.
He is going from his A6th neck to his E13th neck. I watched Noel play many times. When he was inspired nobody could touch him. My adult daughter was listening when I played this clip and said "who is that ?,it is beautiful" !

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 25 Jan 2011 4:40 pm

Billy, I agree, this is Noel at his best. This one has haunted me since I first heard it. Almost the way Django haunted me.

I will disagree with you on the tunings, though. I also play A6 and E13 and you cannot play those chords in that tuning, I explored every option and concluded that it is B11. He may another neck, but after doing a thorough transcription, I see no reason why he would unless he had it tuned for those 7b5 chords.

Great stuff.

Wayne D. Clark · Post by **Wayne D. Clark** » 25 Jan 2011 4:44 pm

Mike, I preferr your arrangement, "Sorry Noel". but your arrangement is less sophisticated, Smooth, has meaning and just the rithem guitar as background. I just enjoyed ti more. of course I can't even play it so my openion is limited.

Wayne
usnyn2nd@frontier.com

Paul Bostic · Post by **Paul Bostic** » 25 Jan 2011 6:17 pm

Mike I throughly enjoyed both your version and Noels. It is nice to hear two talented guys playing a beautiful piece of music.

Billy Tonnesen · Post by **Billy Tonnesen** » 25 Jan 2011 8:13 pm

Mike:

Sometimes Noel would adjust his tuning depending on what chord fit the Song. The main point I was making was that Noel played parts of the Song on different necks.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 25 Jan 2011 8:35 pm

I appreciate your insight, Billy. When you're playing a multi-neck steel it's so much fun to do that. I can't keep still on one neck. But it is a different kind of challenge to do it all on one neck. That's why I love C6 with an E 1st string, because it can be easily retuned to so many other tunings. I'll do that between tunes a lot. Gotta be quick, too.

J Fletcher · Post by **J Fletcher** » 27 Jan 2011 5:32 am

That's great music by Noel Boggs. Where and when is it from? Thanks for posting it...Jerry

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 27 Jan 2011 8:03 am

... really decent, Mike.

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 27 Jan 2011 9:44 am

thats great - i'll have to get your lesson on this one
thanks for all the hard work mike.

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 27 Jan 2011 9:44 am

I enjoyed both versions very much. Very relaxing.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 27 Jan 2011 11:06 am

sorry, but the best thing on the boggs recording is the piano player. boggs could have at least taken a solo... just my impression.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 27 Jan 2011 11:23 am

Bill, I respect your opinion, but Noel's sparse playing invites the piano player to play the way he did. I think his understatement is great on this one. I don't usually feel that way about understated performances, but this one has always moved me. I love his touch.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 27 Jan 2011 11:25 am

I like Boggs version... but Curley Chalker's version is the one that really gives me chills!

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 27 Jan 2011 6:54 pm

Doug Beaumier wrote:I like Boggs version... but Curley Chalker's version is the one that really gives me chills!

Doug, I like Curley's 1st chorus on that tune a lot, for sure, but I don't care for the overdubbed solo that much. But Curley was a remarkable player.