The Steel Guitar Forum

Anybody out there have the old lp of Merle Travis called, "Travis-Favorite Songs". Its Capital T 1664.

Anyway I love Travis, his playing and his vocal and the musicians on the album are great too. But, when Curly plays the fills and the breaks, it seems to me that he just blows everyone off the map. His playing over shadows everything else on the recording. After his solo breaks, I just cant believe how he can make the steel grawl and honk. His fast chord work...and I bet he did all those breaks in one take. Amazing!!!

Has this album been re-issued on CD?


Roger

I would like to know also,if anyone knows if this is on CD and where to find it.IMO no matter who's playing in Nashville,Austin,L.A.,New York,or any where on the planet,Curly will ALWAYS BE THE KING,Don't you know.

I believe this Merle Travis album was recorded before
Curly's "Big Hits On Big Steel" album. If so Curly was playing a Fender PSG at the time.


Roger

That's correct, Merle recorded it in -62. I haven't come across a cd release of it, it is fairly easily available as LP on ebay.

I dont know of a reissue on cd, I got my lp at a flea market in Billings Montana. The record is in good shape and I've burnt it to a cd for myself. The cover is a great picture of Merle. But I still think the whole album was stolen by the talent of Chalker-
There never was any one who played like Chalker and there still is no one who plays like Chalker!!!

Duane,You got that right buddy,Around 30 years ago at the NAMN show in Atlanta I bought Curley's lp MORE WAY'S TO PLAY,been hooked ever since.There are too many phenomenal players out there to list,But ONLY one Curly,Some may disagree with me,but IMO he will never be equaled,the absolute king of the steel guitar on both necks.I'm also proud that he and another great Jimmy Day are natives of my home state,Don't you know.

I just received my Merle Travis album 'Travis' from ebay today, and it is in pristine condition. Curly did some awesome playing on it. I wish I knew which steel he used on the session.

Is this tune on the LP?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mQSD7ST2h0

Yes!

"Travis!" (Capitol ST 1664 released 1962)

C-6th 101. Merle Travis recutting his '40's & '50's hits - this time with Curly Chalker. Chalker playing a Fender 1000 for one of the best steel sounds in history. Also a great record just to listen to.

14 August 1961 [no. 10247]Capitol Recording Studio, 1750 North Vine St., Hollywood 28, CA - Merle Travis
172 36348 FAT GAL ST-1664
173 36349 KINFOLKS IN CAROLINA ST-1664
174 36350 CINCINNATI LOU ST-1664
175 36351 DIVORCE ME C.O.D. ST-1664 ST-884

15 August 1961 [no. 10251]Capitol Recording Studio, 1750 North Vine St., Hollywood 28, CA - Merle Travis
176 36364 SWEET TEMPTATION ST-1664
177 36365 THREE TIMES SEVEN ST-1664
178 36366 SO ROUND,SO FIRM ST-1664
179 36367 NO VACANCY ST-1664

15 August 1961 [no. 10254]Capitol Recording Studio, 1750 North Vine St., Hollywood 28, CA - Merle Travis
180 36376 KENTUCKY MEANS PARADISE ST-1664
181 36377 LAWDY,WHAT A GAL ST-1664
182 36378 I LIKE MY CHICKEN FRYIN' SIZE ST-1664 Hilltop JS-6040
183 36379 WHEN MY BABY DOUBLE TALKS TO ME ST-1664

I've got a copy of that on MP3's that came from a blog site. Pretty nice steel playing for sure.


Greg

Current Nashville recording studio owner, Gene Breeden played this for me in 1962 and it has been the defining moment in time for my love of Curly's incredible playing. He played a Fender 1000 D-8 on this session. A couple of years later, he began playing Fender's 2000 D-10, which he used on the "Big Hits On Big Steel" with Pete Drake's production influence. Curly also used Drake's rotating speaker on "Wolverton Mountain" which is the greatest C6 album of all time, INHO. Am I prejudiced? Could be.

Hi Gary,

If You Are Prejudiced So Am I.
I Have Both "Travis" & Big Hits on Big Steel" It's Still My Favorite Curly Chalker Album.
I Was Quite Shocked To Learn That Curly Used A FENDER 2000 on Big Hits.


ROGER

So where is this Travis album available on line?

What about the Curly stuff? Where is that on line?

Thanks

Jay

So where is this Travis album available on line?

What about the Curly stuff? Where is that on line?

http://www.amazon.com/Travis-Merle/dp/B002BS0SL0
http://www.amazon.com/Travis-Merle/dp/B0086HXLI2

http://www.amazon.com/Steel-Exciting-Gu ... B001F40FBE
I'm sure there are other resources (like ebay) where you can find these, but this will get you started..

This seems to be an appropriate place to mention that I still have hundreds of copies of Curly's DVD sitting in boxes in my garage.

Frankly, I expected them to all be gone by now. I'm surprised that there hasn't been more response.

Mike
I bought a copy of that DVD at Dallas a few years ago. Chalker is just a one off as a stylist. For someone who is so famous for his C6 work, He sure can play E9 really pretty. Curly is often imitated but never equalled. As Buddy once said, "People are coming from all directions trying to out-Chalker him but they haven't succeeded".