Who played steel on "Jingle Bells Rock"?

Tom Ensink · Post by **Tom Ensink** » 28 Dec 2001 11:48 am

I heard this at a christmas party last week. Did you know there's actually a lot of steel on this record? Even an extended steel guitar solo and lots of fills!

Who dunnit?

Tom

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Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 28 Dec 2001 11:52 am

The Bobby Helms' version they play here in the States every Christmas doesn't sound like there is any steel in it.

Tom Ensink · Post by **Tom Ensink** » 28 Dec 2001 12:04 pm

I believe it was Bobby Helms credited on the cd.

You made me wonder, so I just went over to the cdnow.com, and listened to it.

I believe it's another version on the cd which I heard last week. But there's definitely a lot steel on this cut too. You can even hear a part of steel solo at the end of the fragment.

Tom

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B Bailey Brown · Post by **B Bailey Brown** » 28 Dec 2001 12:08 pm

I think I would agree with Jack, in that I don’t remember any steel on the Bobby Helms version. If there was, it was very subtle and laid back. Now in the vague dark areas of my mind, I seem to remember an instrumental version of “The Jingle Bell Rock” that Curly Chalker did many years ago. I think it was on the Columbia label, and at one time I had the old 45 RPM around here someplace (Maybe I still do!).

The way I play it is on the C 6th neck, and it has that “Chalker” type of influence to it. I am not really smart enough to figure that out on my own, so I seem to remember learning it somewhere. My best guess is…Curly did it, I got my hands on the 45, and thought.…”WOW, this is VERY cool!!”

B. Bailey Brown

Tom Ensink · Post by **Tom Ensink** » 28 Dec 2001 12:13 pm

Please go to the cd now site. Look for "helms" and download the sample and listen to it. I am sure you will agree.

I was also surprised.

Tom

B Bailey Brown · Post by **B Bailey Brown** » 28 Dec 2001 12:39 pm

Tom,

I did go to the site and listen to that, and you are correct! Well, sorta

If you look at the bottom of the “player” window, it says “Copyright 1997”. The original “Jingle Bell Rock” was done in the 1960’s. That IS Bobby Helms, but I believe it was the original master that somebody took back into the studio and re-mastered. This is not an uncommon thing these days with many of the “classic” recordings.

People will get the old 2 track masters, take them back into a modern day digital studio, and add things to it. Modern day electronics…what can I say!

There is defiantly a steel on what I heard, and it was very nice. Who played it? I have no idea…but they did good!!

Sorry about the confusion. By the way, if anybody can find that “Chalker” instrumental version, it is well worth listening to! But then, what did Curly ever do that was NOT worth listening to??!!

B. Bailey Brown

Andy Alford · Post by **Andy Alford** » 28 Dec 2001 12:57 pm

Don Helms

Franklin · Post by **Franklin** » 28 Dec 2001 2:02 pm

Tom,
There are three Bobby Helm's versions that I know of, possibly more. The original does not have any steel. The other versions have Weldon on one and Chalker on the other. If its E9th its Weldon and if its C6th it's Curly.
Merry Xmas,
Paul

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 28 Dec 2001 6:09 pm

Sounds like Weldon to me!

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 28 Dec 2001 10:55 pm

I think it's Hoot Rains,Tony Farr,and Randal Curby. OR, Buddy Eppstine,Lloyd Greenamyer,or possibly--bUs-gAl "the moderator". In bUs-gAl, the second letters are actually numbers! Maybe it was that guy with Lawrence Welk, you know,Buddy toMorrow!
And then again , it may not matter, it's to late now to fix it!
"The Histerical Buff"
Edwardo Herman III

www.thehistorychannel.com [This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 28 December 2001 at 10:56 PM.]

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 28 Dec 2001 11:01 pm

I'm working with Bobby Helms new years eve so I know who's going to be on that version!And I'm gonna' play C6th!(If I break a third string on the E9th)
Roberto Koncuealo Ceamhour

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 29 Dec 2001 12:33 am

Hey, Bobbe! Try changing your 3rd string to Monel trolling wire. It is the ultimate line for wire fishing and steel guitars. Special processing gives the wire excellent ductility and high strength, therefore reducing breakage. This nickel-copper alloy provides maximum corrosion resistance in fresh and salt water and will not rust due to sweaty palms when pushed to the limit.

That should remedy your problem. We wouldn't want you to play C6th!

Just kiddin'!

B Bailey Brown · Post by **B Bailey Brown** » 29 Dec 2001 6:01 am

Ah Ha! Well, it is nice to know that I am only “half” crazy these days. I knew I had learned that from something Curly Chalker did years ago. I was mistaken in the fact that it was an instrumental. What I have is the Bobby Helms version with Curly playing steel. It is a nice version, and as I said before, well worth listening to if you could ever find it. Thanks for jogging my feeble brain Mr. Franklin.

B. Bailey Brown

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 29 Dec 2001 8:20 am

Reggie, I've been using a nylon string for the 3rd,I figure if it works for Sogovia, It should work for me, right? Monkey see, monkey do. Besides, that metal stuff has a kind of metalic sound to it. The only disadvantage is the travel on the second pedal('bout 2.5 Inches).I think Bobby Helms is going to love it, Just think,this job is in Florida and my 3rd string won't rust!
I don't know how I'll ever get it to break,Well, gotta' go now, Gotta' learn "Jingle Bell Rock" on all three necks!

Bobbe Slippery

Bill Myrick · Post by **Bill Myrick** » 29 Dec 2001 9:11 am

Well----ok-----against my better judgement---
I'll ask---- Do you tune that third string with a depth finder ??????

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 29 Dec 2001 9:16 am

Bill, I see that I am not the only one who know about this trick. The downside is that a depth finder is more expensive than a peg winder.

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 29 Dec 2001 9:34 am

When the 3rd version of Bobby Helms classic came out with Curly playing his signature C6 I had to have it also even though it was on 45 and I consider it the best one of all, Gary.

B Bailey Brown · Post by **B Bailey Brown** » 29 Dec 2001 12:44 pm

Gary,

I will have to agree with you on that on that one! Maybe it is just because I am a steel player, or maybe because Curly was just one of those players that would make things “come alive!!” If I remember that version correctly, there was nothing except a rhythm section, a singer…and a Steel Guitar. Curly played under, and through, the entire song because he was the only lead instrument. Well, I guess if you had to have a LEAD player on a session, and Curly was sitting there…Ahhh, what is the question?!

It is really a classic! Kind of obscure and hard to find, but it was a great cut!

B. Bailey Brown

Gregg Galbraith · Post by **Gregg Galbraith** » 29 Dec 2001 8:17 pm

Bobbe,
Don't bust your rump getting to your New Years Eve gig. Bobby Helms died several years ago, so I'm sure you can be there, set up, and tuned before he arrives.
By the way, I hope your referring to fishing line was not a slam on my suggestion for using fly line on volume pedals on the "Pedal Steel" portion of this forum, because the stuff really works! It's waxed-----I suppose so it will float.
[This message was edited by Gregg Galbraith on 29 December 2001 at 08:24 PM.]

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 29 Dec 2001 9:09 pm

You think HE died several years ago? You should hear my playing, it did too! This is why I got the job!
Bobbe!

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 29 Dec 2001 9:20 pm

Gregg, The fishing line is waxed? Wait 'till you see me New Years eve!
Seriously, I know this line works, but I feel the rosen impregnated S-con cord works best for me. (on my shoes anyway) Dental floss works great too! But not in my volume pedal. However when I tried it once,it never got any cavities. Fishing line? Works great if you use your volume pedal for bait. Caught three fish once with mine. I'm "hooked" on those Cobra coil pedals.

John Fisher (oh no, he died too!)

Post by **b0b** » 30 Dec 2001 5:40 am

Bobbe, you're talking to yourself again. Let's stay on the topic, okay?

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Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 30 Dec 2001 7:39 pm

And a great topic it is!

Lynn Owsley · Post by **Lynn Owsley** » 1 Jan 2002 2:03 pm

Andy is correct about the original session,Don called to wish a Happy New Year and I quized him, he said JBR was the next session after Frauline and he was on the session as steel player but played little. On the playback he said " Im happy with my part" You Are My Special Angel was the next BH session and Don said they were so happy with what he did on JBR that he was allowed to do it again!!! And Bobbe, Don says you must practice if you want that BH gig!!!
Happy New Year......Lynn

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 2 Jan 2002 7:45 am

Yea right! I missed it, I'm going out for the Jim Reeves gig!