Floyd Cramer

Billy Murdoch · From: Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.

Many years ago I read that Floyd Cramer loved the sound of steel guitar and tried to "play piano with a steel feeling."
I think this shows on Last date which has also been played by many steelers.
On the rebound was the flip side of this record(in the U.K.)Has this number been done by any steel players,I am not aware of it.I guess it would be a tricky one to play.
Any Info?
Best regards
Billy

Calvin Walley · From: colorado city colorado, USA

as hard as it is to play on the keyboard i could not inmagine trying to play it on steel . it took me 4 months to get it right on the keyboard

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ZumSteel

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

I used to play it regularly! It's pretty easy, and makes a great steel instrumental on E9th if you're fast on the A&B pedals. Floyd's "On The Rebound" album was one of my old favorites, and I learned to play all the songs on it when I was just starting to play pedal steel.

David Doggett · Posted 27 Nov 2005 1:57 pm

Somebody posted tab for it a month or so ago. It's the first song I tried to play on pedal steel. It's a natural for E9 - way easier than on piano.

Joe Shelby · From: Walnut Creek, California, USA

There's been some controversy over the years
as to whether Floyd was the true originator
of the "pedal" piano style. It has been said
that he actually got the idea from Don Robertson, who was also a staff pianist for
RCA in Nashville.
On the other hand, Floyd worked with Jimmy Day quite a bit over the years, so that would
have also been as likely an influence in the development of Floyd's style.
Wherever it came from, it's a great sound that has touched everyone who's ever heard
his playing, and that includes zillions.

Joe.

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

It's true,Floyd played the Don Robertson style.We talked about this a few months ago.I have an old 45 of Don's.Chet Atkins told Floyd to learn Don's style,he did,wrote Last Date and the rest is history.Some one else here on the forum knew more about Don than I do.Maybe he will see this and fill us in.I do know he said Don wrote a lot of hit songs,but never got credit for the so called Cramer sound that he originated.

Cody Campbell · From: Nashville, Tennessee

I got to see Floyd once before he died, when I was little. In Owensboro, I think.

He's great.
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.
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Speaking of the "pedal" piano slur...

Does anyone know who played piano on "Cajun steel guitar" by Buddy Emmons with the buckaroos)??

That piano solo uses the 'on the rebound'-type slur all the way through it. It's wild.
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(Off-topic, but speaking of instrumental tunes by the buckaroos...)
[EDITED: I MEANT TO SAY...]
The tune "Steel Guitar Polka" is great. A couple times in there, I think a hear a C6-sounding chord or two. ???

[This message was edited by Cody Campbell on 28 November 2005 at 11:07 PM.]

Cody Campbell · From: Nashville, Tennessee

I overlooked this statement before.

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

Actually, I always thought those pedal steels were trying to imitate Floyd....

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

I showed the sheet music for "Last Date" to my wife and daughter, who are trained and training in classical piano, and they both looked at me and groaned.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Well Ray, I guess "Last Date" isn't exactly like Ravel's "Gaspard de la Nuit"!

Then again, some variations on very simple works can be quite challenging. Have wifey check out the fantasia "Highland Gems No. 4", by Willie Pape. Kind of a grandiose "Auld Lang Syne", and it'll keep her occupied for awhile, I'll wager!

Steve Spitz · From: New Orleans, LA, USA

We allways pack the dance floor with "Last Date " as a steel instrumental , but a few months back I found the Henry Mancini country album at a thrft store, for .50 cents. IMHO, much cooler phrasing than the original. I immedately pilferd Hank Mancini`s phrasing , and it is really very musical. There is often something to learn if you look hard enough. The band is sparse, and the arrangement is simple. Just mancini on piano with bass and drums, and occasional "tic-tac" ( six-string bass ) Ray : Maybe your wife would approve.

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