Pete Drake Revisited

[Gary Hoetker]

I grew up on Mooney, the two Buddy's, and Green. I also became fascinated by the ethereal sound and tone of a pedal steel artist who that I didn't know until later is Pete Drake. Drake's creativity, willingness to be different and improvise, timing, and his total understanding of melody and use of reverb captivated me..especially on the ballads. We certainly don't hear anything like it today and probably never will again. The attached recording released in 1964 "Stolen Love(Is The Beginning Of The End) by George Morgan and Marion Worth is a sample. What did he do set up wise to obtain that beautiful sound?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xIxlNPYXH0

It's interesting that a previous post of a round table discussion among Green, Rugg and Myrick, they all credited Drake for the revival of the steel guitar in Country Music.






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xIxlNPYXH0

[Steve Hinson]

I'd say that was a Sho-Bud steel,a Standel amp,and a big old plate reverb...

C6,BTW...

SH

[Harry Dove]

I miss those Pete Drake slides. He usually seemed to fill about half as much as everyone else but what he put in really made the song. He seemed to always know exactly when and what to play. Some of his playing seemed to be E9 style but sounded like he might have been playing on C6.

[Per Berner]

The way he backed George Jones was terrific, couldn't have been done any better.

[James Leaman]

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4B4jsF ... ture=share
  Is this Pete?

[Franklin]

I would guess its someone imitating Pete's style...The volume pedal and some of the note choices are not the way Pete played for expression....My wild guess is Hal Rugg. Hal could imitate anyone when producers would ask.

[Marc Jenkins]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xIxlNPYXH0

That was wonderful, thanks! I need to explore more of PD’s recordings for sure. Two of my faves:

George Harrison - Behind That Locked Door
https://youtu.be/2eoC4_34oeM

Bob Dylan - Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You
https://youtu.be/9ZhLGP5dF2k

[Gary Hoetker]

James-

It's Pete and it has reverb all over it.

[James Leaman]

I know Gary, I love it!

[Harry Dove]

Her is some useful info
http://www.lloydgreentribute.com/Austri ... IsWhoI.htm

[Johnny Cox]

Sounds like Pete on C6th. He played a lot of that type C6th on many records in the early and mid 60s. One of many that comes to mind is Anymore by Roy Drusky.