What songs would make good instrumentals?

Larry Rafferty · Post by **Larry Rafferty** » 30 Apr 2009 1:17 pm

How about one of those haunting melodies from 1958 titled, To Know Him is To Love Him....it was recorded originally on Dove Records by the Teddy Bears, then recorded on Roulette Records by Cathy Carr, and also recorded on Capitol Records by Evelyn Kingsley and the Towers.

(oops...I'm showing my age again)

John McGlothlin · Post by **John McGlothlin** » 30 Apr 2009 2:01 pm

I bet the theme song to MASH would be an interesting one to play.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 30 Apr 2009 3:28 pm

Catchy tunes include "Tea For Two", "Who's Sorry Now"' "Love Letters In The Sand", and "Bye, Bye, Blackbird", for starters.

Tommy Shown · Post by **Tommy Shown** » 30 Apr 2009 6:39 pm

David you did an outstanding job on the Ballad of Jed Clampett and the Orange Blossom Special. Steel Guitar Rag, I 've never heard you do that one.But there is no doubt in my mind that you could figure out something. Because YOU DA MAN -David,Attitude and all LOL
Tommy

Keith Junot · Post by **Keith Junot** » 30 Apr 2009 8:01 pm

hey David , how about Buddy Hollys' - Raining in my Heart ?

David Hartley · Post by **David Hartley** » 30 Apr 2009 11:13 pm

Notice that most of these songs are at least 30 years old... :- )

Thats why I dont know a lot of them, I just wasn't around!

Calvin Walley · Post by **Calvin Walley** » 30 Apr 2009 11:24 pm

Randy Travis song "1982" it changes key in the middle of the song

Roual Ranes · Post by **Roual Ranes** » 1 May 2009 3:35 am

Play "Born To Lose" again.

Tracy Sheehan · Post by **Tracy Sheehan** » 1 May 2009 10:32 am

I better explain my self better about my previous comments on the OBS and steel guitar rag.They are actually great songs but my sense of humor often gets me in dutch with youngsters like Bobbe Seymour and others.
The youngsters should learn and play them and they are fun tunes to play.Forty years or so ago when Misty,San Fransisco,Tenderley,ect were popular i loved playing those songs also but soon got tired of playing them as they were requested so much in many of the places i played.
I blieve B.E.(IMO)suffered from burn out also.He once said he wished he could think of something to play he hadn't already played a thousand times.Thats the reason i finally quit steel (again) and went back to fiddle,as a hobby only.
I made the comment about Rufus Thibodeux would refuse to play the OBS even if it meant getting fired from the band which was true.It wasn't the song.Again,he had had to have played it a jillion times already.(BURN OUT).
To make a point,i am sure there are some songs any one has only heard so many times they are so tired of hearing they refuse to listen to them again.
Wish i could explain my self better.I have my hole deep enough so i better stop digging.
Oh BTW.I bet b0b has had to play Flint Hill Special so many times on his banjo thats why he can't stand one any longer.Tracy

Mike Wilson · Post by **Mike Wilson** » 1 May 2009 10:44 am

"You Belong To Me" is one that I was going to try to work up, but I think you would do a much better job of it.

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 1 May 2009 10:52 am

Tracy,, can you guess how many times Charlie McCoy is asked to play Peg-O-My Heart on his blues harp harmonica?

I wonder how many fiddle players have never been asked to play Orange Blossom Special or The Devils Dream?

The Steel Guitar Rag goes with the territory of the instrument.

I have listened to the Steel Guitar Rag a thousand times but still enjoy listening to an accomplished steeler playing the tune.

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 1 May 2009 11:19 am

David, when I did my steel CD, I worked up Reba's "Whoevers in New England". I liked it because it has nice changes that don't interfere with the flow of the tune. Also, I must tell you, your playing and tone just knocks me out. Right now, I'm obsessed with your version of "Hinges on the Door". How do you get to that octave pedal so fast on the ending?

Tracy Sheehan · Post by **Tracy Sheehan** » 1 May 2009 11:49 am

Les Anderson wrote:Tracy,, can you guess how many times Charlie McCoy is asked to play Peg-O-My Heart on his blues harp harmonica?

I wonder how many fiddle players have never been asked to play Orange Blossom Special or The Devils Dream?

The Steel Guitar Rag goes with the territory of the instrument.

I have listened to the Steel Guitar Rag a thousand times but still enjoy listening to an accomplished steeler playing the tune.

Hey Les.Thanks,you made me think of an old tune i played many years ago and had completly forgot about it.PEg Of MY HEART.I even remember some of the words played it in the key of F.I have no idea whyi can remamber things like that after so many years.
Going to grab my fiddle and play it as remember the melody.Tracy
Wonder how many time george Jones has had to sing he race is on.lol
I happened by chance to be watching tv one night years ago when george told his bass player,i promise we won't do No Show Jones again.
Also while i am at it,many years ago Bob Wills asked his band,we are not tired of the San Antonio Rose are we boys?(Should have heard the bands reply.LOL

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 1 May 2009 11:56 am

David, listen to Patti Paiges old Cape Cod once and you will be hooked. I mentioned it to a couple of friends in Nashville and know its going to be done eventualy..It has never been done yet just over looked..

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 1 May 2009 12:46 pm

I bet the theme song to MASH would be an interesting one to play.

Ah, yes - "Suicide is Painless" the Johnny Mandel tune. I agree John, it would be verrrry interesting ,,,

Charles Curtis · Post by **Charles Curtis** » 1 May 2009 1:58 pm

How about, "Big City" or "City Lights"?

Tom Quinn · Post by **Tom Quinn** » 1 May 2009 3:51 pm

Break into the vault at The Hartley Manor and spring for some Cajun CDs. There is a tremendous amount of good tunes there, plus you can listen to the master, Orsey Vanicor.

Willis Vanderberg · Post by **Willis Vanderberg** » 2 May 2009 4:03 am

Two of my favoriest are " First Time Ever I Saw Your Face " and Killing Me Softly " I believe they were done by Carole King.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 2 May 2009 4:05 am

"It's To Late" by Carol King

I think I've heard someone play it on steel.......

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 2 May 2009 5:24 am

Goodbye my love by the Searchers.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 2 May 2009 5:51 am

Two of my favoriest are " First Time Ever I Saw Your Face " and Killing Me Softly "

I believe LLoyd Green has already done Killing me Softly.

Leigh Howell · Post by **Leigh Howell** » 2 May 2009 6:53 am

A great Brook Benton tune I think would be a brilliant steel instrumental,is a Rainy Night In Georgia.If I could play the steel I would certainly give it a shot!!:):)I'm a vocalist, and a flat top banger, and have been a traditional country singer for many years, but have always liked that song!!! Leigh

Olaf van Roggen · Post by **Olaf van Roggen** » 2 May 2009 8:41 am

"with a little help from my friends"by Lennon& Mcartney.
"Hot Burrito# 2" from"Hillman/Parsons.
"Ready for the times to get better"by Allen Reynolds
"Seven Year Ache"by Rosanne Cash...what about Beach boys'stuff: "God, only knows,Good Vibrations or Wouldn't it be nice?"

Bill Lowe · Post by **Bill Lowe** » 2 May 2009 1:16 pm

this is one I play all the time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJzBtIsxaoA just kidding and dreaming. I am a big Buddy fan

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 2 May 2009 2:40 pm

Tracy Sheehan wrote:I better explain my self better about my previous comments on the OBS and steel guitar rag.They are actually great songs but my sense of humor often gets me in dutch with youngsters like Bobbe Seymour and others.
The youngsters should learn and play them and they are fun tunes to play.Forty years or so ago when Misty,San Fransisco,Tenderley,ect were popular i loved playing those songs also but soon got tired of playing them as they were requested so much in many of the places i played.
I blieve B.E.(IMO)suffered from burn out also.He once said he wished he could think of something to play he hadn't already played a thousand times.Thats the reason i finally quit steel (again) and went back to fiddle,as a hobby only.
I made the comment about Rufus Thibodeux would refuse to play the OBS even if it meant getting fired from the band which was true.It wasn't the song.Again,he had had to have played it a jillion times already.(BURN OUT).
To make a point,i am sure there are some songs any one has only heard so many times they are so tired of hearing they refuse to listen to them again.
Wish i could explain my self better.I have my hole deep enough so i better stop digging.
Oh BTW.I bet b0b has had to play Flint Hill Special so many times on his banjo thats why he can't stand one any longer.Tracy

It's not that people actually want to hear SGR, OBS, Foggy Mountain Breakdown, etc... they just want to request something and this is all they can think of.

The Steel Guitar Forum

What songs would make good instrumentals?

Hi Tom

Re.OBS & SGR.

Re:

Good potential steel instrumentals

Re: Re.OBS & SGR.