Best Pedal Steel Guitar Solo of last Century?

Al Gershen · Post by **Al Gershen** » 1 Jun 2003 9:44 am

Hi SGF:

Every once in a while while looking thru Usenet Newsgroups I come acoss interesting items and I thought that this one would be of interest to SGF readers.

I found this one using google.com on a newsgroup called rec.collecting.coins. For some reason, they went off topic and here's what came up in a portion of an April 18, 2003 posting by Harv (hlaser@socal.rr.com):

However, my nomination for the best pedal steel guitar solo of the (last) century goes to David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, during the PULSE tour performace of "High Hopes" as he transitions totally seamlessly in one smooth motion from standing up singing and playing an acoustic to slinging it around to his back, sitting down and playing an electric pedal steel with a metal slide without missing a frigging beat.. and that music ain't Country OR Western, boy .. so you won't be playing it on your station, but I will on mine, you betcha..

It's a good read and perhaps it might elicit some comments on your part.

Have a nice weekend.

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Regards,
Al Gershen
Grants Pass, Oregon. USA
Fender 1000 (1956),
Fender PS 210 (1971) &
Gibson Electraharp EH-820 (1960)
Al's Photographs at http://www.alsphotographs.com

Dan Farrell · Post by **Dan Farrell** » 1 Jun 2003 10:54 am

Al-- on a more tradional note, I would vote for Buddy's solo on the John Sebastian song "Rainbows All Over Your Blues".

Dan Farrell
Anaheim CA
'97 carter D-10
Nashville 1000

Post by **Joey Ace** » 1 Jun 2003 11:10 am

"playing an electric pedal steel with a metal slide without missing a frigging beat.. and that music ain't Country OR Western... "

[Flame Shields On]

"Teach Your Children"

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 1 Jun 2003 11:55 am

The solo on My Weakness is too Strong by BE would be my pick.

As for changing instruments in a song and not missing a beat I would say the author of the above article should catch Danny Mohammed when he's playing in a bar situation. He can handle the guitar and steel guitar trade off with ease and play some very intricate and fast stuff. He really has it down pat.

Roland van Beveren · Post by **Roland van Beveren** » 1 Jun 2003 2:11 pm

PAUL CARESTIA in Robbie Fulks'
"Barely Human" is barely human.
[This message was edited by Roland van Beveren on 03 June 2003 at 12:14 AM.]

Kenny Dail · Post by **Kenny Dail** » 1 Jun 2003 2:54 pm

TOGETHER AGAIN done by Tom Brumley for Buck Owens is probably the most recognized solo. I would not venture forth and say it is the best of the century. Another that could be considered the best of the century would be SLOWLY done by Bud Isaacs for Webb Pierce.

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kd...and the beat goes on...

Joseph V. Sapp · Post by **Joseph V. Sapp** » 1 Jun 2003 4:42 pm

Hi Ken:
I'd have to agree with you on "Together Again". I use that as part of my show for Various rehab centers, and every time I start,,,I get a round a applause for most people remember it from somewhere. then followed by "Borrowed Angel", with Lloyd Green on steel (at that time), has to be an all time favorite from Mel Street

Joe

Derby SD-10-4X5 Nashville 400 Fender twin
Lexicon MPX 100 Profex ll

Mike Weirauch · Post by **Mike Weirauch** » 1 Jun 2003 7:15 pm

Lloyd Green's "Farewell Party" with Gene Watson.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 1 Jun 2003 7:17 pm

I think I'd have to vote for "Lost in the Feeling" by John Hughey. Runner up: "Misty" by JayDee Maness.[This message was edited by Jim Cohen on 01 June 2003 at 08:18 PM.]

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 1 Jun 2003 7:30 pm

I think there are probably over a hundred best pedal steel solos of all time. I only know about a small portion of them and expect I'll be finding new ones the rest of my life. But I agree that the very first one, on Slowly by Bud Isaacs, is absolutely amazing. It's not flashy, but it has the whole soul of pedal steel all right there in that one song right from first note to last. You have to wonder - how did Bud conceive of that sound? A lot of other people given a pedal steel never would have come up with something that tingles your spine like that, maybe nobody else would have. It's still absolutely mezmerizing. Thank you, Bud.

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 1 Jun 2003 8:17 pm

Well Click Here and Find Out

Jimmy Day
January 9, 1934-January 22, 1999
[This message was edited by Ricky Davis on 01 June 2003 at 09:19 PM.]

Roger Snively · Post by **Roger Snively** » 1 Jun 2003 8:54 pm

My all time favorite is Curly Chalker's " Long Black Limosine". This instrumental is an award winner.

Bobby Flores · Post by **Bobby Flores** » 1 Jun 2003 9:44 pm

Frank,...you've got that right about Danny Mohammed. What a player! Bobby

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 1 Jun 2003 10:31 pm

First of all, I don't believe that Gilmore plays pedal steel. I've only ever seen him play non-pedal, which he does very well.

My vote is for a whole album: "Emmons Guitar Company", but if you have to cut it down to one solo, I'd pick "At E's". It ain't country or western, either, but it demonstrated the unlimited potential of the instrument in the hands of a master.

I do enjoy David Gilmore's steel playing, but it's a long ways from "best of the century" in my book.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9), Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax[This message was edited by Bobby Lee on 01 June 2003 at 11:40 PM.]

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 2 Jun 2003 5:06 am

there isn't just one...
but I vote for:
E9
"Sing Me A Song" Tom Brumley with Rick Nelson (Rudy The Fifth album)
"Last Time Around" Tom Brumley with Rick Nelson (Rudy The Fifth album)
"Kind Woman" Rusty Young with Buffalo Springfield (Last Time Around album - hmmm that's a cosmic coincky-dink)
"Bad Weather" Rusty Young with POCO (From the Inside)
"Nothing can Stop My Lovin' You" Emmons with Roger Miller(A Trip In The Country album)

C6
"Danny Boy" Curley Chalker with C. McCoy

"Fade to Black" Dire Straits w/Paul Franklin (From Every Street)
[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 10 June 2003 at 11:19 AM.]

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 2 Jun 2003 5:17 am

b0b.
I couldn't agree more with At E's. That is a true masterpiece and maybe tops my first choice.

Ed Naylor · Post by **Ed Naylor** » 2 Jun 2003 5:19 am

Although I like a lot of the old songs, I Agree with Roger that Chaalkers "Long Black Limousine" is really a"Feel" song. It has that "Expression" that cannot be described. Ed Naylor Steel Guitar Works.

Jim West · Post by **Jim West** » 2 Jun 2003 5:31 am

Buddy Emmons "Caravan" with the Ray Pennington's big band.

Tony LaCroix · Post by **Tony LaCroix** » 2 Jun 2003 5:39 am

WARNING: I may be basing my next album purchases on your responses to this post! Step carefully

That solo from "Pulse" is one of the reasons I turned my attention to steel guitar... beautiful. (Off topic: Gilmore's solo on the original Comfortably Numb has always been my all-time favorite guitar solo- craftsmanship, phrasing and care beyond what has been heard by any other, IMHO.)

billy tam · Post by **billy tam** » 2 Jun 2003 5:59 am

Dave, 3 of your 5 would have been on my list, the 2 Rusty Young and the Curly Chalker(the other two I'm not familiar with.
Ricky that solo still sends chills up and down my back everytime I hear it. But most everything Jimmy played did as well.

thanks
billy tam

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 2 Jun 2003 6:34 am

I would have to agree about "At E's" but have you ever heard terry crisps solo on raisin the dickens with ricky scaggs---barnburner!!!! And, this is way to tradtional for some but the solo that got me started on this whole insane life as a psg'er
was Buddy on the original "Born to lose" (the essence of steel guitar right there man!!!)

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Steelin' away in the ozarks and life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 2 Jun 2003 6:38 am

Buddy Emmons'

"Once Upon a Time in the West"

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 2 Jun 2003 6:40 am

If you're looking at Pink Floyd for the "best of" anything, you're searching in the wrong waste receptical. This is just an opinion of mine from my experience with rock, generally. I really don't know Pink Floyd.

Rick[This message was edited by Rick Collins on 02 June 2003 at 01:45 PM.]

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 2 Jun 2003 6:43 am

Buddy Emmons:

"April's Fool"