Vote for the Best of Buddy Emmons

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 28 Aug 2006 1:39 am

I just love everything Buddy has ever played, even the Two Aces Back Together album that I gather Buddy would rather forget.

The playing on Trip In The Country still stands up today as exceptional. If I was forced to name a single piece it would be his break on Little Hotel Room by Merle Haggard and Ray Charles. Just absolute sublime taste.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 28 Aug 2006 3:03 am

One cut I forgot to mention, and I'm pretty sure nobody has the CD, is Buddy's little take on Cole Porter's "It's Alright With Me," recorded by Florida singer Rick Fryefield on his CD.

I've forgotten the name of the CD, since it's not in front of me. Buddy plays great on it, as does Jernigan on some cuts.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Bill Myrick · Post by **Bill Myrick** » 28 Aug 2006 3:10 am

Not long ago I purchased the CD "We're Steel Swingin" from Buddy which contains big band numbers "Take The A Train" and "Moon Light Serenade" as well as "Caravan", "Midnight In Old Amarillo" and others. Features great vocals by Ray Pennington also. Don't hear these done by others at shows. Certainly above my humble abilities.

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 28 Aug 2006 3:57 am

Buddy Emmons sings Bob Wills is tied with Buddy's playing along with Albert Lee on Ricky Skagg's debut album (Sugar Hill Records?) on the song I'll Take The Blame. This is an obscure album much like Roger Miller's A Trip In The Country but it has raw uncompressed instrumentation throughout.

Greg

Mike Cass · Post by **Mike Cass** » 28 Aug 2006 4:59 am

Yes,"A Trip In the Country"!
also for me,"My Weakness is Too Strong",
written by Bunky Keels; and a cut from a Ronnie Blakely album on Elektra: "Dues".
Of course,all the Ray(s) cuts, and an L.A. period,reel-to-reel tape that Jack Laux used to play for me which featured Buddy on Don Rollins' demo of his song "Every Fool Down There Wants Icewater Too". BE's playing on that cut was just undescribable! I darn near wrecked Jack's motor-home the first time I heard it

wish I knew where it is now.
Thanks Buddy,for more than a lifetime of great listening![This message was edited by Mike Cass on 28 August 2006 at 06:10 AM.]

Joe Law · Post by **Joe Law** » 28 Aug 2006 5:10 am

There was a short sound file from a copy of "Country Girl" by Darrell McCall that someone posted several years ago that had a little run in there by Buddy that would make the hair stand up on your neck.
I down loaded it but through time and many computer crashes have lost it and have never been able to find it since, sure would like to find this song again.

JERRY THURMOND · Post by **JERRY THURMOND** » 28 Aug 2006 5:31 am

The Black Album will always be one of the best, but there was so many, I hate to pick just one, I also think the best is yet to come. Jerry

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 28 Aug 2006 5:36 am

A Trip In the Country
The solo on "Nothing can Stop my Lovin' You"
The G and Gaug runs are just So smooth and original.

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Tore Blestrud · Post by **Tore Blestrud** » 28 Aug 2006 6:01 am

"Danny Boy" from The Black Album (superb touch & tone). (+ all the rest...)

Ron Elliott · Post by **Ron Elliott** » 28 Aug 2006 6:09 am

No matter what musical bridge we all try to cross,...Buddy has already been there,..and I treasure his friendship for all these many years. Ron

Buck Reid · Post by **Buck Reid** » 28 Aug 2006 6:37 am

Countless ballads with great touch,tone and innovation ... I always liked the Steve Young recordings. Also an Elton John tune called "Blue Eyes" (I think that's right) ... And of course the Jazz and Be-Bop recordings - "Minors Aloud Album" - "Mardi Gras","The Great Stream","Plus Nine", etc ... there are so many. What an inspiration - Thanks Buddy!!

Post by **Joey Ace** » 28 Aug 2006 7:22 am

No one's mentioned "The Christmas Album"???

The solo Steel and Bass medley is a favorite of mine.

For commericial mainstream "Someday Soon" gets my vote.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 28 Aug 2006 7:40 am

I still say "Cold Cold Heart" was Buddy Emmons backed up by Ray Price...

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 28 Aug 2006 7:58 am

Back in the 60's I was one of the western-swing players who thought that pedals on the steel guitar that I had heard on recordings, was too hillbilly sounding, and I had refused to use them.

....that is, until the night that I first heard Ray Price singing Nightlife with Buddy playing steel with those C6 pedals!

So, my vote for the best of Buddy Emmons, is his interpretation on that recording that changed the opinion of so many players about the potential of pedals on the steel guitar.

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www.genejones.com

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 28 Aug 2006 9:08 am

I am dying to hear Redneck Jazz Explosion, but its out of print. I cannot find A trip n the Country either. can anyone help me out?

Im gonna order the black album , christmas music, and some of the swing stuff from Buddy's site but cannot find those two anywhere.

I am jealous of you all having all thes recordings, but on the other hand I maybe get to hear em for the first time

Thanks Mr. Emmons for the wonderful music and inspiration!!

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 28 Aug 2006 9:14 am

I wonder would I be 'Out of line' to post a few clips from "Trip in the Country"
Just for educational purposes ..
Just the intros and solos ?
Would Mr. Emmons object ?
Baz

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 28 Aug 2006 12:58 pm

I cannot find Volcanic Action of My Soul either. What is it about records with great steel on em that makes em go Out Of Print so quickly? I mean its not like ray Charles is some obscure fringe artist or something...Maybe one of the billion "best of" has tracks from Volcanic on it but since i cannot find a track listing I will never know I guess. Does anyone know if the "Ray Charles -The Complete Country and Western Recordings" has part or all of "volcanic.." on it?[This message was edited by Ben Jones on 28 August 2006 at 01:59 PM.]

Russ Hicks · Post by **Russ Hicks** » 28 Aug 2006 2:47 pm

Far too many to narrow down to even a few dozen for me, but as of late I've been listening, dailey, to a Step One recording called 'The Gospel Side of Gene Watson'; my favorite cut being 'My eyes are on the Prize', but naturally his work on the entire project is, well, there simply are no words I can think of; I guess most of them have already been printed in this topic.
Another one that I recently have been crying and laughing over at the same time is 'Gentle on My Mind' with Hartford.
I thank God for a lot of things; Buddy Emmons is one of them.
rh

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 28 Aug 2006 2:56 pm

I really liked "Once Upon A Time In The West", but there are so many others I can't really pick the best."Blue Jade", "Danny Boy" "Fat Boy Rag"are incredible, as so many are. I wonder what Buddies favorite is?

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Howard

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 28 Aug 2006 3:07 pm

That "Gentle on My Mind" cut just about caused me to roll off the highway back 15 yrs. or so I heard it on the radio. I finally copped the album and continue to smile and laugh along with it.

pdl20 · Post by **pdl20** » 28 Aug 2006 5:40 pm

Buddy Emmons could put strings on a 2x4 and plug it into a ditch and create a world class instrumentel.thanks Buddy

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Mullen D 10 9&9 Emmons D 10 & 5. Evans Amp , Steelers Choice Seat Hilton Pedal ,Herby Wallace JagWire strings Wire

Anne Giroux · Post by **Anne Giroux** » 28 Aug 2006 5:54 pm

Buddy has been blessed with a great talent that has brought tremendous enjoyment, excitement and many goosebumps over the years. Can't pick a favorite as there are too many. Actually everything he plays is a treasure, classic and memorable and oh that tone and feel. I had the good fortune to attend a jam session at the Andrew Jackson Hotel in the 60's with Buddy & friends and I've never been the same since. Sincere appreciation and thanks Buddy for all your great music.

Kenny Dail · Post by **Kenny Dail** » 28 Aug 2006 6:16 pm

I think that Buddy's "in your face playing" like the cut he did on Jimmy Dickens "Take and Ole Cold Tater andd wait" and the medley he did on the Rainbow album starting with the Wabash Cannon Ball are a must for the beginner on up to the seasoned pro. He was probably in his mid to late teens on the Take a tater cut mentioned above but the urngency and execution was so tasteful and clean it makes chil bumps come on my arms every time I play it. And, last of all, the "Touch My Heart" album with Ray Price is my selection for the best album he did with Ray.

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

Ted Solesky · Post by **Ted Solesky** » 28 Aug 2006 6:57 pm

Buddy has been my inspiration from day one. I still remember the time when he was with ET and Bobby Garrett also. Back stage Buddy took the time to show me how a ride was played on one of Jimmy Dicken's songs. I never forgot that. Thanks!

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 28 Aug 2006 7:53 pm

Ben,
"Ray Charles: The Complete Country and Western Recordings" does have five tracks from Volcanic Action of My Soul: "What Am I Living For", "The Three Bells", "All I Ever Need Is You", "Wichita Lineman", and "Down In the Valley". All have Buddy on them. I never have found the Volcanic Action album, so I don't know if other cuts on the album have Buddy or not.