New Willie Nelson CD with Buddy Emmons

About Steel Guitarists and their Music

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Ben Jones
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Post by Ben Jones »

I have a question for you guys, and pardon my ignorance as I am still a beginner, but is Buddy playing a PSG, or a no-pedal guitar on the first track?

I love the intro to Hold Me in Your Arms. like he is strumming a chord and moving the bar down at the same time or something..sounds like the record is melting...really cool!
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Bo Borland
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Post by Bo Borland »

If you are referring to "Bubbles in My Beer" it sounds to me like pedal steel.
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Barry Blackwood
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Post by Barry Blackwood »

I tend to agree with Roger R. on his assesment of our beloved Willie. The REAL Willie, to me, was the guy in the sharkskin suit,short hair, and off-the-wall phrasing. I think his devolvement into the whole outlaw thing was more about marketing than music. It has obviously worked for him, but there are some (musical) places where Willie went that he should have never gone, IMHO .....
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Ben Jones
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Post by Ben Jones »

Show me anyone with a career as long as Willies who hasnt had a few misteps. Granted he's done some foolish things. This album aint one of em tho...its very good IMHO. Your mileage may vary.
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Bo Borland
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Post by Bo Borland »

see above.. had an error msg when I posted..<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Bo Borland on 06 April 2006 at 11:41 AM.]</p></FONT>
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Barry Blackwood
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Post by Barry Blackwood »

Right in every respect, Ben.
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Erv Niehaus
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Post by Erv Niehaus »

Some of the best recordings by Willie were his "IRS" tapes when the IRS was after him. They had confiscated his materials, gold records, dope, etc. when they were trying to get tax money out of him and he recorded, I believe two tapes with just him singing and playing that thing he calls a guitar. You could really hear the emotion in his songs. Also, some heavy breathing what with the IRS hot on his trail! Image
Erv
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Bowie Martin
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Post by Bowie Martin »

Some of my favorite music was with steel on Willie's Songs on the Cd with Waylon, Jessi, Tom Paul, etc....I have not heard it, but am looking forward to having some steel (some steel? I mean Buddy Emmons!!!) with him on the new CD...guess I am headed for Walmart First thing tomorrow...
Tracy Sheehan
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Post by Tracy Sheehan »

Around 1963 i was working for a great singer who phrased like Willie and Faron Young.It took me a while to back him with out depending on listening only to the rhythm section.I loved his phrasing.
Any way,a year or so later we were sitting in Tootsies Orchard Lounge and every one was talking at once.Then some one said,Willie Nelson sings out of meter.I coulden't believe it.It got so quite you could have heard a pin drop.
The guy who made the comment slinked out with his tail between his legs.I have to admit it was funny.Tracy
Billy Carr
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Post by Billy Carr »

Bought the CD Thursday night at Wal-Mart in Hattiesburg, Ms. BE's the man!
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bruce fischer
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Post by bruce fischer »

large "E", you nailed it! just got my copy and as usual you just floored me......lovya dewd, bruce & lynn
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Mark Eaton
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Post by Mark Eaton »

I got this cd about 3 or 4 weeks ago and I just love it. Buddy's playing is phenomenal.

The production by Fred Foster is exquisite.

I have to say though on this one, Willie's vocals on some of the tunes are starting to sound a bit croaky, as if he is finally starting to sound his age.

But these are great songs to begin with.

Variety is the spice of life, and not everyone is going to like Willie Nelson. But he still shows the rich, smooth-as-honey quality on some of the tunes.

I think the day-late-and-a-dollar-short phrasing is fine-there is a real art to singing like that and being able to pull it off. Might bug somebody else but not me.

I think at this point in his life Buddy Emmons goes out and only plays with folks that he likes.

It's not a steel album, but when Buddy shows up in the speakers it makes me appreciate those moments all the more.

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Mark
Casey Lowmiller
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Post by Casey Lowmiller »

I just picked this album up last night for $10 new.
It's a helluva an album. I'll admit that I wouldn't have bought it if it was regular price.

It's one of Willie's best releases in years!!! Most of his newer stuff I don't care for. I've always been a fan of the early Willie stuff when he was in Nashville & becoming disillusioned & this album fits right into that early sound.

However, there are a few tracks that could've been sung a little better.

Excellent steel playing by Buddy Emmons...wish he could've had more time & more solos. Buddy has beautiful tone & fantastic licks, then again I wouldn't expect anything less.

AWESOME

Casey

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Pete Young
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Post by Pete Young »

I know for me, Willie always reminded me of a bunch of guys getting together in a barn or an old house and just having a great time He was just one of the boys and I love it As for Buddy,has anyone heard him not play great I always said a lot of guys can make a hard lick sound easy. Emmons can take a simple thing and make it beautiful I love them both. Can't find the record here yet but I will send away for it soon
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Damir Besic
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Post by Damir Besic »

Willie and Buddy...that album can not be anything but great

Db

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<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Damir Besic on 16 July 2006 at 12:50 PM.]</p></FONT>
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Ken Byng
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Post by Ken Byng »

I like Willie. Ok his phrasing is unusual and his pitching not always on target but his individuality makes it for me. It's the interpretation of the lyrics and the song as a whole. You want top quality vocals then you go elsewhere. Same with Bob Dylan and a whole host of others. I was never into Johnny Cash, but his last album before his death is beautiful. Vocally it is full of soul, but rarely in tune. Who cares. When I want to be technically entertained by a singer, I'll play Vic Damone or Mario Lanza. Image

Buddy's playing is just knockout on this CD - about as perfect as anyone could have done taste-wise.
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