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Topic: Lap Steel fun with Steely Dan's "Deacon Blues" |
Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 4 Apr 2011 8:50 am |
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First off, this song isn't much of anything without it's great lyrics and vocals, and I've never cared much for instrumental versions of songs all that much. Having said that, I've been wanting to record some steel guitar duets to see where it leads and I chose this one to do first--"Deacon Blues" by Steely Dan. Aja is one of my favorite records of all-time (I know I'm not alone there).
Anyway, the real fun of this tune was arranging the chord changes for lap steel. I'm using C6/A7 tuning on both the lead and rhythm. I laid down the bass first, then the rhythm steel, followed by the melody and beat.
Nothing fancy and I didn't even make it to the solo section with it, just a little example of how I like to waste an hour or two in the morning. It's a loose demo, so don't expect too much.
Deacon Blues
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Kurt Kowalski
From:
Kendall, NY USA
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Posted 4 Apr 2011 12:58 pm
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Mike,
You're Killin' Me in a GREAT WAY!!!
I love it man. Keep up the great work.
kgk |
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Mike D
From:
Phx, Az
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Posted 4 Apr 2011 2:21 pm
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| Oh man, now I wanna drink Scotch whiskey all night long! |
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Jeff Spencer
From:
Queensland, Australia
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Posted 4 Apr 2011 2:49 pm Re: Lap Steel fun with Steely Dan's "Deacon Blues"
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| Mike Neer wrote: |
First off, this song isn't much of anything without it's great lyrics and vocals, and I've never cared much for instrumental versions of songs all that much. Having said that, I've been wanting to record some steel guitar duets to see where it leads and I chose this one to do first--"Deacon Blues" by Steely Dan. Aja is one of my favorite records of all-time (I know I'm not alone there).
Anyway, the real fun of this tune was arranging the chord changes for lap steel. I'm using C6/A7 tuning on both the lead and rhythm. I laid down the bass first, then the rhythm steel, followed by the melody and beat.
Nothing fancy and I didn't even make it to the solo section with it, just a little example of how I like to waste an hour or two in the morning. It's a loose demo, so don't expect too much.
Deacon Blues |
Yeah right!! me, as a mortal, never expect too much Mike, I am sure I heard a pick/string buzz at 17 seconds in--- mmm 
Seriously - you rock! |
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David Eastwood
From:
Minnesota, USA
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Posted 4 Apr 2011 4:45 pm
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| Quote: |
| ...just a little example of how I like to waste an hour or two in the morning... |
If only I could 'waste' time like this...
Lovely stuff, Mike. |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 4 Apr 2011 11:38 pm
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Good one Mike !  |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 5 Apr 2011 5:37 am
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Thanks, guys. If anything, this is great practice for playing in tune. Just playing octaves in perfect tune is a great workout and is a good way to ensure that you are moving the bar correctly in a straight line (not letting your wrist get loose, but keeping it rigid in a relaxed way). I like to spent time every day on that
I really like comping chords on the steel guitar. Playing rhythm guitar is one of my favorite things to do, so it's kind of natural that I'd be looking for a way to it on steel, too. While it is limited in terms of voicings, you can go a long way with a few good ones. You just have to dig around a bit and get creative.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 5 Apr 2011 5:42 am
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Mike, that is just sooo good, man. Love it when you move from octaves to chord melody. Request to please do a version of "Any Major Dude Will Tell You." 
And speaking of Steely Dan, Elliott Randall, who played the classic, smokin' guitar lead on "Reelin in the Years" just sent me a note this morning that he has a new CD out ... something of a departure from his electric sound.
http://www.elliott-randall.com/cd_preview/ |
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Steve Cunningham
From:
Atlanta, GA
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