Vote for the Best of Buddy Emmons

Dave Magram · Post by **Dave Magram** » 6 Apr 2006 12:18 am

Whenever I hear Buddy Emmons perform, I know that he's going to play something unique and delightful, even if it's only one fill.

For all of you who love the playing of Buddy Emmons like I do, I invite you to submit your votes for a Best of Buddy Emmons thread.

I am proposing this thread as a tribute to Buddy's extraordinary musicianship and creativity, and also as a guide to the many magnificent, but lesser-known musical gems that Buddy has recorded as well as his many classics. This thread can also serve as a learning resource for new players not familiar with Buddy's musical genius.

In the interests of making these gems easier to find, and since the original version may be out of print, I would ask that you try to include as much information about the recording as possible, such as correct title, artist, and record label. It would also be nice if you could give a short review of why you feel your submission deserves to be a "Best of Buddy".

You can nominate an entire album or just one or two songs on an album.

An example of the latter would be John Sebastian's Rainbows All Over Your Blues on "John B. Sebastian" (Reprise LP) featuring just Buddy, at his creative best, on all the fills and solos.

It is so hard to choose from Buddy's many great recordings, but here's a few of my favorites to start the ball rolling:

1. "Touch My Heart, Burning Memories"; Ray Price. (Sony Audium CD B00009IB5R) Ray Price and Buddy Emmons have got to be one of the greatest musical collaborations of all time. On these recordings Buddy sets the standard for accompanying a country singer- and then goes way beyond it. This CD combines two 1960s Columbia LPs featuring such classic Ray Price shuffles as Swinging Doors, The Same Two Lips, and A Way to Survive. Check out Buddy's ground-breaking intros to Touch My Heart and There Goes My Everything. Forty years later, and these recordings remain masterpieces of taste and innovation.

2. "Trip in the Country"-Roger Miller, Mercury LP. Reissued with additional material as "Roger Miller, Country Tunesmith", (Mercury CD 848977-2)
A wonderful collection of Roger Miller singing his own songs with a whole lot of Buddy playing outrageously hot solos on songs such as: That's the Way I Feel, Invitation to the Blues, Tall, Tall Trees and outrageously beautiful solos on When Two Worlds Collide, When a House is Not a Home, and Half a Mind.

3. All of the "Swinging" series Step One CDs with Buddy and Ray Pennington are great.
Two of my favorites are:
- "Swinging From the 40s to the 80s" with terrific versions of Right or Wrong, Oklahoma Stomp, Cincinnati Blues, and Steppin' Up (Step One CD SOR 0003).
- "Swinging Our Way" with Buddy burning up Airmail Special and Careless Love, and tearing your heart out with Born to Lose and My Weakness is Too Strong. (Step One CD SOR 0060).

I have many other nominations I'd like to make, but I'd like to hear from other Buddy Emmons fans as to your picks for The Best of Buddy Emmons (so far).

Uffe Edefuhr · Post by **Uffe Edefuhr** » 6 Apr 2006 3:16 am

Hi Dave. If I want to hear some great Buddy Emmons steel I put on the Trip in the country Lp. For me its the best country record ever recorded!

Regards
Uffe

...............
GFI S-10, Nashville 400, Bouzouki

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 6 Apr 2006 4:28 am

"Best of Buddy Emmons"? - anything Buddy has done.

Brian Herder · Post by **Brian Herder** » 6 Apr 2006 6:07 am

Don't know about best, but my favorite is Linda Ronstadt's "Don't Cry Now"...not fancy, but perfect.

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 6 Apr 2006 7:37 am

Someday Soon - Judy Collins
JE:-)>

David Wren · Post by **David Wren** » 6 Apr 2006 7:54 am

So on "Trip in the Country" Buddy is playing steel, or bass

I like the Steel Guitar Jazz album.

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Dave Wren
'95Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Twin Session 500s; Hilton Pedal; Black Box
www.ameechapman.com

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 6 Apr 2006 8:01 am

I have a lot of the Big E,my favorite is Redneck Jazz Explosion with Danny Gatton,These two were in a class of their own[Like Curly,who has always been and always will be my biggest hero]Bama Charlie.

Marco Schouten · Post by **Marco Schouten** » 6 Apr 2006 8:45 am

"Broken Down In Tiny Pieces"

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Steelin' Greetings
Marco Schouten
Sho-Bud LLG; Guyatone 6 string lap steel; John Pearse bar; Emmons bar; Evans SE200 amp

Steve Dodson · Post by **Steve Dodson** » 6 Apr 2006 9:55 am

Talking about a hard one. When it comes to the Big E its hard to pin point one or two songs or albums. I would pay just to watch him tune up. But I really liked his playing on Sugar foot Rag on the Rainbow Album,which is now on CD. Also Blue Jade, man talking about one to relax with. But like I said as with everyone else,there are so many.

Jennings Ward · Post by **Jennings Ward** » 6 Apr 2006 12:23 pm

BUDDYS REDRATION OF TOMMY DORSEYS "MARIE"
SHOWS STYLE, TONE, TASTE, TECHNIUQUE, FEELING,
PHRAZING....ALL THE THINGS THAT MAKE BUDDY THE GREATIST,, BAR NONE.....AND IT IS AN HONOR TO CALL HIM FRIEND....
JENNINGS,,U PK;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

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EMMONS D10 10-10 profex 2 deltafex ne1000 pv1000, pv 31 bd eq, +

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 6 Apr 2006 1:07 pm

Hard one to decide on here. I guess it's a toss up between "Way To Survive" and "Night Life". Everytime I sit down behind my p/p, I have the thought about BE having the idea of building the great old p/p's along with Ron Lashley. I've often wondered if either one of had any idea it would turn out like it has. But yes, getting back to the songs, either one I listed. Thanks.

Dave Ristrim · Post by **Dave Ristrim** » 6 Apr 2006 7:27 pm

One of my picks would be the work he did on one of Leonard Nimoy's LP's. The song was Everybody's Talkin'. No album credits, but when you hear the steel start, there's no doubt in my mind. It's not that it's the most complicated playing, just that it actually makes listening to Mr. Nimoy trying to sing so much more bearable. You gotta hear it.
Dave R.

p.s. Howdy Dave M.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 6 Apr 2006 7:54 pm

I think my personal faves would be the instrumental version of "Night Life", the whole Black Album, "Once Upon a Time in the West",and "L'Hiver sur la Plage" (from Suite Steel)

Ken Yates · Post by **Ken Yates** » 6 Apr 2006 7:55 pm

"Touch My Heart, Burning Memories"; Ray Price. (Sony Audium CD B00009IB5R) Ray Price and Buddy Emmons have got to be one of the greatest musical collaborations of all time. On these recordings Buddy sets the standard for accompanying a country singer- and then goes way beyond it. This CD combines two 1960s Columbia LPs featuring such classic Ray Price shuffles as Swinging Doors, The Same Two Lips, and A Way to Survive. Check out Buddy's ground-breaking intros to Touch My Heart and There Goes My Everything. Forty years later, and these recordings remain masterpieces of taste and innovation.

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Derby SD 10,,,Nashville 112,,,Nashville 400,,,Hilton,,,RV-3

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 6 Apr 2006 9:49 pm

"Buddy Emmons sings Bob Wills".

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´75 Emmons p/p D10 8+4, '96 Emmons Legrande II D10 8+5, ca '72 AWH Custom D10 8+3, Peavey Nashville 1000

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 7 Apr 2006 2:33 am

Far too many to mention... Especially in just one post!

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My best,
Ernie

www.BuddyEmmons.com

Franklin · Post by **Franklin** » 7 Apr 2006 4:47 am

Buddy your talent is so diverse. How could I narrow down your recorded career to one specific thing you've played? Your playing today and throughtout your career has always been an inspiration to me.

If at gunpoint I had to say anything, I'd say, "You're best playing is yet to come".

All the best to you,
Paul

Franklin · Post by **Franklin** » 7 Apr 2006 4:50 am

duh!!!! "throughout"

Bob Kagy · Post by **Bob Kagy** » 7 Apr 2006 11:24 am

Everything.

For me a standout is "At E's" on the black album.

It's the one that always makes me smile - swings with a relaxed strut and swagger.

Bruce W Heffner · Post by **Bruce W Heffner** » 7 Apr 2006 11:54 am

My all time favorite's are...........Once Upon a Time in the West and Canadian Sunset and Will's Point.....okay everything I ever heard by Buddy. He is the King!

Bruce

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www.pedalsteel.net

Ron Scott · Post by **Ron Scott** » 7 Apr 2006 1:21 pm

I can't think of one single thing myself...Too many to pick just one.....RS

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Franklin Guitars

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 7 Apr 2006 3:03 pm

Every time I listen to E, I feel like he's giving the (steel) world another lesson. My personal favorite? The Touch My Heart album.

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 7 Apr 2006 6:16 pm

"Bitter They Are"

Bobby Caldwell · Post by **Bobby Caldwell** » 7 Apr 2006 7:14 pm

I have set next to the "BIG E'S" amp many times and could not believe what I was hearing. Every time he plays he creates thats just the way he is. I must say I have to agree with Paul the best may still be coming. Doesn't that give us all someting to look forward to? I am one lucky guy to have played many times with the man. I do hope there is more ahead. "Sure". "Lets press on". "Why not". Bobby <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Bobby Caldwell on 12 April 2006 at 08:10 AM.]</p></FONT>

Dave Magram · Post by **Dave Magram** » 7 Apr 2006 7:42 pm

Thanks for all of the response to The Best Of Buddy Emmons (So Far) thread.

I know it's hard to pick out just one or two of Buddy's best recordings, and
I apologize if I was not clear on the "rules" on nominations... there aren't any!

1.) there is no limit on how many entries anyone can nominate in a posting

2.) there is no limit to how many postings anyone puts on the thread (I'd like to give my friend Larry Chung some competition to his long ZB thread with this tribute to Mr. Buddy Emmons, the World's Foremost Steel Guitarist.)

3) Nominations of Buddy's better-known recordings, as well as his more obscure gems (like my friend Dave Ristrum's mention of the Leonard Nimoy album) are all welcome.

Good to hear from the one and only Paul Franklin! His posting reminded me of a great obscure recording of Buddy's that Paul told me about when a friend and I met him many years ago.
Paul played a hot solo for Oh Lonesome Me and said that he had learned it from Buddy's recording on a Nancy Sinatra LP, "Country, My Way" (Reprise), which took me several years to find. Now it's available as a CD (Sundazed) with three more songs than on the LP. Even if Nancy isn't your favorite singer, Buddy plays some beautiful music on the ballads, goes honky-tonking on Jackson, and his be-bop solo on Oh Lonesome Me is worth twice the price of the CD- so cool, yet it fits the song perfectly.

Another little-known CD on which Buddy plays his butt off is called "Miles of Texas", by Annie B. Annie B is an excellent singer and her choice of material is outstanding, from Western Swing to torch songs and ballads. Buddy plays on all but one cut ("In and Out of Love"), including some very hard-swinging C6 solos and heart-rending E9 and C6 solos on the ballads. The rest of the musicians are outstanding, and the production is excellent. The CD is available from Annie B. at: http://www.anniebmusic.com/

Good to hear from Bobby Caldwell, too- what a great player!

Dave