The Steel Guitar Forum

I just got a CD of Pure Prairie League's first album.
I wore the original vinyl record out before someone borrowed it and never returned it. I hadn't heard it for 25 years. It's so good. It's a steel in your face record, simply produced, guitar/base/drums/steel only. Craig Fuller is such a great songwriter/guitarist. Generally, I didn't like any of the other albums they put out without him. (as well anyway)

John Call's steel has such a great tone. I know it was a Sho-bud.

Anybody know the model?

He didn't have a huge library of licks at that time, but what he played certainly had character for sure.

Anybody have the Vinyl they would like to sell?

Jim

The last time I seen John he was playing a single 10 pro 1 sho-bud.

I think Al Brisco played on the first album and John David Call played on the double live album. Then again it's been awhile since I heard either album.

I think John played a Pro III Custom with metal necks on the live album.

One of the guys that was influential in starting me on pedal steel....along with Sneaky Pete, Lucky Oceans, Steve Fishell, et al. Driving tunes with lots of pedal steel fills and solos mixed up front.

PPL's Two Lane Highway features JD Call on several cuts. The title, Memories, Sister's Keeper, Just Can't Believe It, KC Southern and the novel I'll Fix Your Flat Tire Merle. The songwriting, production work, and instrumentation make this period one of the most steel friendly ever.

After many years of playing, I remain most envious of his tone and execution.

I think that John David Call was one of the most melodic players- and wish he was still playing with someone that we could hear~~

I LOVE his playing. There's a great thing he plays on one of their later albums, it's a Whiskey blues thing called "Out On The Street" that is just one of the coolest intros ever....

JB

I didn't know their first album was available on CD. Where did you get it?

Steve,

It's titled "If the Shoe Fits". It was released in 97. I think it is still available. The first 8 songs are from thier first album.

Jim

I believe that their first LP was titled "Pure Prairie League" and is still available on CD alone or along with "If The Show Fits." I would also recommend (Strongly!!) "Two Lane Highway." I saw them at Kent State around 1970, and I remember John Call was playing a blond Sho-Bud Professional D-10. I was sitting about 6 feet away on the stage steps, mesmerized.

Al Brisco played on their second album, which was recorded in Canada.

Al is another hero of mine- what a terrific guy and player!

John David Call inspired me to take up pedal steel back in the 70s... I bought an Emmons S10 with 3 pedals and 1 knee lever... considering I'm a lazy cuss and didn't want to put the time in, I sold it during a GAS attack in the late 70s. Wish I had it back...

Steve Fishell blew me away on the Radney Foster Del Rio 1959 and follow up CD whose title escapes me...

Speaking of two of my favorites, are there any pix or video of these guys doing what they do? I'd especially like to see Steve in action.

Thanx!

L

JD Call still plays with PPL when Fats Kaplan isn't available. I understand he plays a reduced schedule these days. There's some pictures of him more recently on their website. He's playing a Bud on some shots and a single neck Carter on a couple of shots. The guys still play several events during the year. They are a pleasure to see and hear.

Steve Hitsman wrote:I didn't know their first album was available on CD. Where did you get it?

Steve. Try to listen to the cd before you buy. I came across a copy very recently and bought it. Like many here, I have fond memories of that record and was excited to get it. However...the cd I have is the worst sounding cd I have ever heard. It's so thin it's unlistenable. Anyone else with the 1st PPL album on cd find that to be true? If you send your address to me I will gladly send it to you...maybe it's me but I doubt it...I've made records my entire adult life. But you are welcome to it. "Jazzman" is a very nice song. All the amterial is good though.

Steve Hitsman wrote:I didn't know their first album was available on CD. Where did you get it?

Steve. Try to listen to the cd before you buy. I came across a copy very recently and bought it. Like many here, I have fond memories of that record and was excited to get it. However...the cd I have is the worst sounding cd I have ever heard. It's so thin it's unlistenable. Anyone else with the 1st PPL album on cd find that to be true? If you send your address to me I will gladly send it to you...maybe it's me but I doubt it...I've made records my entire adult life. But you are welcome to it. "Jazzman" is a very nice song. All the material is good though.

John Call was a great inspiration to me also. Glad to
see him on PPl's website.

As Doc said above, John is still sitting in with PPL when needed; I've seen him with them twice in the past couple of years here in the Cincinnati area and had the pleasure of talking with him for a few minutes last year...tremendous guy and talent! He played a red Pro II or III the time I saw them. As I understand it he does sit in with a local band in the Columbus OH area on occasion. Like many others have said he was one of the first to turn me in the right direction/obsession with the psg...

JP

Barry,

"Jazzman" is on the second album... I want the one with "Tears".

Al played on the second album, the one with "Jazzman".

I went to a gig with John about a month ago, He plays just as great as ever. John and i are good freinds. I'll make sure he knows that y'all ask about him and think about hm , it'll make him pretty happy.

We did a street festival type gig with Commander Cody in the summer of '06 in Chillicothe, OH and John was playing with the opening band. He was playing a dark red or brown Pro-II or Pro-III. He sounded great and we had a real nice visit. John's a cool cat.

Sincerely,
Chris "Tiny" Olson

Leland,
Please pass along my sentiments as well to John David Call. Like others have stated, he (along with Rusty Young) inspired me to take up PSG. I wore out "Two Lane Highway" and other PPL LP's back in the 1970's, to the extent that I literally have all of JD's intros, fills and solos burned in my brain note-for-note - I can conjure them up and "hear" them at any time (but I can't remember my own name!)

John Call influenced my playing quite a bit. Used to do "Tears" in a band I was in many years ago. His licks were limited at the time, but his style is undeniable. Those first two PPL albums were a breath of fresh air. The first one is still my favorite. Craig Fuller is an accomplished song writer. I just saw the latest version of PPL this past fall '07. Craig and John were both in the band. John was playing a Carter at the time. I believe he was playing a ShoBud on the first PPL record. I have burned my vinyl record to CD. If you don't mind those classic snap, crackle and pops, your welcome to it. Shoot me an email.

This photo was taken March 19th 1977 at the college here in Rolla. John David Call playing D10 Sho-Bud.

I wonder if John David Call realizes how much we dig him.