Pete Burak - Steel Stuff

Steel guitar web sites, videos and recordings on the Internet

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Pete Burak
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Joined: 2 Oct 1998 12:01 am
Location: Portland, OR USA

Pete Burak - Steel Stuff

Post by Pete Burak »

I'm mainly a live weekend-gig guy, but I have made some home vids and live/studio recordings over the years.
Here is some of my "Steel on the Web" stuff I guess :)

This is "Canadian Sunset" from Buddy Emmons Swing Series - B6th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvRne1D ... e=youtu.be

Here is a take on "She's No Angel", from the The New Riders, (E9th Chikin'-Pickin' style).
I put the Buddy Cage slide-up-the-ladder Lick in this one!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkrRxv6 ... e=youtu.be

Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Travis/Atkins Style, uptempo Solo Pedal Steel):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQN9YWGQ-io

Georgie Girl (Solo Pedal Steel - B6th):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfrUZICq5sM

Here is Mr Sandman (Atkins/Travis fingerpickin style)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nirDGpb ... e=youtu.be

Oh Holy Night (Duo recorded in my living room with Mama Coal) - Merry Christmas!:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg99Wycv5qY

Bogg's Boogie segment (Solo Pedal Steel playing along with rhythm track):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsyE27WvakE

Red Neck Riot (Audio only, Playing Steel with "The Countrypolitans" on a studio cut):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98_a6PADn9U

Live with "Copper & Coal" (a ballad at the Alberta Rose Theater gig):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQlXVA8c2H8

Bobby Bares's Detroit City (I Want To Go Home) Intro lick, on S12U (I saw Barbara Mandrell do this knee lever trick once, so it must be ok :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okw9Tnl ... e=youtu.be
The original:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXoez_ffhRc

Sleepwalk - Playing along with the Larry Carlton Sleepwalk Background Track on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/YvVGBawQAR0

Honeysuckle Rose (S8 Ric tuned to A6th with Rythm Track):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHbIGYshPuE

Yellow Byrd (S8 Ric A6th, Solo):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIpQPRv57fs

Little Martha (Solo Whecter-Sheerhorn Dobro D-tuning):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80tZ5cg--M0

Theme from Carmen (Solo ShoBro Dobro D-tuning):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80BjnpmVXVk
Last edited by Pete Burak on 21 Jun 2021 8:47 am, edited 11 times in total.
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Dick Wood
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Post by Dick Wood »

Some good stuff happening there!
Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.
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Fred Treece
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Post by Fred Treece »

Enjoyed your stuff, Pete. Especially the Copper & Coal tune, and your touch and tone on that square neck. Nice pickin on the Doc tribute too.
Pete Burak
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Location: Portland, OR USA

Post by Pete Burak »

Thanks you guys!
I have some other studio cuts I've played on but need to get them from CD and some are on Cassette! I am trying to get 'em all in one place :)
I am trying to get more into home video recording (solo playing, and playing with Rhythm tracks), so I hope to add more of those soon, too.
I am mainly not too concerned with perfection from end to end... I just want to make one long take, hope for the best, and post it :)
Tucker Jackson
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Location: Portland, Oregon, USA

Post by Tucker Jackson »

Yowza! You put on a master clinic every time you lay picks on strings. Great taste and technique.

I have two memories along those lines. When I first started playing steel about 17 years ago, I went out to various gigs to learn how the instrument was supposed to be played. One of the first great shows was you absolutely laying it down with the Countrypolitans. Or as I saw it, "Pete Burak, with his Countrypolitans." It was pretty awe-inspiring and everybody in the room was watching you. I've spent the years struggling to play up to the standard you set that night -- and you've only improved since then.

And a few years after that, I seem to recall that you were let go from an (unnamed) great band. And the reason was that four of five other steelers (including myself) would frequently gather at the gigs and cheer after your solos. Meanwhile, there weren't many people cheering for the singer or the songs in general. People were mostly into what you were doing. The singer got fed up with that and you were out. True story, yes? You're the only steel player I know who was fired for being way too good... and the entire band was excellent. That speaks volumes.
Pete Burak
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Location: Portland, OR USA

Post by Pete Burak »

You are very kind, Tucker!
Thanks for sharing that!
And.. I like your version of what happened that one time :)
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Slim Heilpern
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Post by Slim Heilpern »

Great stuff Pete, love your Over the Rainbow treatment, very unique sound.

- Slim.
Chromatic Harmonica, Guitar, and Pedal Steel (Williams U12 Series 700, Emmons lap)
http://slimandpenny.com
Pete Burak
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Location: Portland, OR USA

Post by Pete Burak »

Thanks, Slim!
I've listened to your CD several times, and enjoyed your playing, too!
Pete
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Slim Heilpern
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Post by Slim Heilpern »

Pete Burak wrote:Thanks, Slim!
I've listened to your CD several times, and enjoyed your playing, too!
Pete
Thanks Pete! I just hope you realize that the gorgeous steel playing on "What's Goin' On" wasn't me, it was my friend and hero, Bobby Black ;-).
Chromatic Harmonica, Guitar, and Pedal Steel (Williams U12 Series 700, Emmons lap)
http://slimandpenny.com
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Ken Fox
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Post by Ken Fox »

Great picking, Pete! Digging your tunes
Pete Burak
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Location: Portland, OR USA

Post by Pete Burak »

Thanks, Ken! We miss you up here!
Pete Burak
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Post by Pete Burak »

Back when my hair was darker :)
The Highland Band - Community Center gig - 1981 (Three Fender Amps!)
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Scottys on a Thursday afternoon - 2001
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Pete Burak
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Post by Pete Burak »

OK so I gave Sleepwalk a shot today.
Playing along with the Larry Carlton Sleepwalk Background Track on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvVGBaw ... e=youtu.be
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Christopher Woitach
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Post by Christopher Woitach »

Pete!

This is all terrific - I thought I couldn’t dig Sleepwalk anymore, but you proved me wrong!

Thanks for all the help over the past 8 years - truly
Christopher Woitach
cw@affmusic.com
www.affmusic.com
Pete Burak
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Post by Pete Burak »

Thanks, Christopher!
As you now know, the slide-bar gets a little tipsy in the middle, but the Sleepwalker makes it safely back to bed in the end! :)
Pete Burak
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Location: Portland, OR USA

Post by Pete Burak »

Here are two vids I made this week here at the house.

This is "Canadian Sunset" from Buddy Emmons Swing Series.
I am playing along with the rhythm track.
As usual, it never comes out exactly as planned!
If I get a live take that is anywhere near close, I post it :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvRne1D ... e=youtu.be

Here is Mr Sandman 8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nirDGpb ... e=youtu.be
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Dave Zirbel
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Post by Dave Zirbel »

I finally get to hear you play!! :D Fantastic! Thanks for sharing. Keep'em coming!
Dave
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Sierra S-10 (Built by Ross Shafer),ZB, Fender 400 guitars, various tube and SS amps
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Fred Treece
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Post by Fred Treece »

Great job on the two new ones, Pete. Really wonderful, masterful playing. You made it sound like you planned it the whole way.

I went back and listened to your “Yellow Byrd” again. The tone on your Ric is delicious. My wife has part of that tune on a music box. I’d like to get her to listen to your version 8)
Pete Burak
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Post by Pete Burak »

Thanks you guys!
Fred I try to plan it out and make all the transitions and keep up with the track and make it to the end :)
On Mr Sandman the plan was, a Melody verse, a Pickin' verse, and an Echoplex verse, and make the Key transitions (I barely make 'em, but I made it thru the song for the most part, so I posted it!).
I would like to get a Mutli Track Video Recorder so I could do punch in's :)
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William Litaker
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Post by William Litaker »

Good stuff right here Pete....
William Litaker
Emmons Legrande 111
Learn TO PLAY STEEL GUITAR@
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Pete Burak
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Location: Portland, OR USA

Post by Pete Burak »

Here is a take on "She's No Angel", from the The NRPS.
I put the Buddy Cage slide-up-the-ladder Lick in this one!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkrRxv6 ... e=youtu.be
Pete Burak
Posts: 6530
Joined: 2 Oct 1998 12:01 am
Location: Portland, OR USA

Post by Pete Burak »

Here is my Sierra S12U B6/E9 Copedant that I have been using for a long time now. :)
[tab]
(P7)
LKL LKV A B C P5 P6 B2 LKR RKL1 RKL2 RKR
1-D# D
2-G# A A G
3-F# G
4-E F F# Eb>E Eb
5-B Bb C# C# C#
6-G# A A A G
7-F# F
8-E F Eb>D Eb
9-B Bb C# C# D
10-G# A A G
11-E F F# Eb
12-B Bb A C#

[/tab]
Daniel McKee
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Post by Daniel McKee »

I ran across your video of "Georgey Girl" some time back and was really amazed. Very good stuff. I've enjoyed checking out your other postings as well.
Harley James
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Post by Harley James »

Pete, I'm a big fan of yours, love that you're blazing your own trail.
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