John McFee ?

[Barry Blackwood]

but can someone tell me what's good about elvis costello? i don't get it!

The best thing about Mr. C. is his wife, Diana Krall. I don't get that!

[Steve Hinson]

I love BOTH Elvises...and ALL the Johnnys!

[Joe Goldmark]

I'm with you Steve. Those who don't get Elvis C., and are willing to try, should just listen to his first album "My Aim Is True" a few times. Some of his recent albums are hard to digest IMO, but I can say the same about a lot of the greats. Not only is he an amazing songwriter, but he's very soulful and gets the most out of his voice.

This is the first time I've ever heard anyone say they didn't like Johnny Cash. I give you kudos for not being afraid to say it, but I don't get it. There's even a Cash album called "Now there Was A Song" that has steel on it, and features songs like "Seasons Of My Heart."

Joe

[Dave Mudgett]

I'm sorta' puzzled how this thread about John McFee got to be a thread about Elvis Costello and Johnny Cash. Of course, De Gustibus Non Disputandum, but I don't get it. You guys really think Johnny Cash couldn't sing? Whew, I'm with Steve and Joe - that one is over my head!

I think the first I noticed John McFee was on Van Morrison's Tupelo Honey - his playing and name made a big impression on me back then. His stuff with the Doobies was cool, but Southern Pacific was really great, to my tastes. Everything I wanted to hear from the Eagles, but didn't. My take.

[Joachim Kettner]

Twiggy and Clover:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJoaggD-4oE

[Joe Goldmark]

Hi Joachim,

That song is on one of those Clover albums that they made in the U.K. in the early '80s. This is from the period when they were hanging with Thin Lizzy and backing Elvis C. on occasion. Wonderful records IMO, but they didn't make a dent in this country.

Joe

BTW, I'm not sure if anyone mentioned Van's "Wild Night" that features John on steel.

[Joachim Kettner]

Yes Joe, this one is from Clover's "Unavailable". There's also the great song "Santa Fé" on it.

[Dan Tyack]

BTW, I'm not sure if anyone mentioned Van's "Wild Night" that features John on steel.

I believe that John had been playing less than a year when he recorded that.

[Norm Pratt]

Here's a great clip of John on South City Midnight Lady, my favorite Doobie Brothers song. Awesome playing.

http://guitar.hotmusicpoint.com/the-doo ... ight-lady/

[chris ivey]

joe..what was the club on university ave in berkeley...a couple blocks down from the campus? freedom hall (?) or something like that?
(back in the 70's)
i respect johnny cash the man and the legend. i just wouldn't want to play the stuff regularly. if i never have to play folsom prison blues again....

i feel the same about 'crazy' and 'sweet home alabama'!

[Steve Hinson]

I totally get what you mean about playing Johnny Cash stuff over and over,Chris...it wouldn't be very musically fulfilling...

I was hired to play steel in the house band on a festival in Norway a few years ago...of course I got over there and the headliner was Tommy Cash!No guitar player had been hired...I was elected to play guitar with TC and had to borrow a Telecaster...we did 75 percent JC songs and I truly had a blast trying to remember the parts I had learned as a kid and digging Luther's playing on the records...

Don't think I'd want to do it every day...but what a fun two days!

[Joe Goldmark]

Chris, I think you're referring to "Mandrakes" on University. There was also the "New Orleans House" on San Pablo. I used to see Commander Cody at Mandrakes in the early '70s.

Hey Norm, great Doobies video! Some of the best McFee also. He's always blazed his own path.

Joe

[chris ivey]

mandrakes rings an old bell. thnx. i remember counting the knee levers on his sho-bud from the back of the room. i think he had 4 of the curved ones. i probably just had my s10 emmons at that time...dreaming of a double neck.

[Joachim Kettner]

With David Wiffen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRb5F4mv8tE