The Steel Guitar Forum

Who did the steel behind Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" track from, I think, the "Honky Cat" LP?

Amazing, how many times I've heard the tune and just taken the steel for granted. Last nite I really listened to it closely, and, it is just remarkable. Without the steel the tune would be lifeless.

He would be B J Cole from Great Britain!

Ooooo BJ Cole!

I discovered him during a sizzling solo on a David Gray track--"Caroline"

You can listen to more tracks here:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu ... d=37908506

B.J. was in L.A. recently and we had dinner together. Apparently you can't get Mexican food in England.

Living in L.A. where there's a Mexican restaurant on every corner, we take it for granted, but it's a rare ad exotic delicacy in his part of the world. B.J. loved the food.

After dinner we went and heard the great Al Vescovo, who is certainly one of the greatest jazz steel players alive today. and who had a gig that night. B.J. was even more impressed with Al.

It was a good way to spend an evening. B.J. is really nice and really down to earth. I'm glad I had a chance to spend some time with him.

Believe it or not, BJ Cole on Tiny Dancer is the one song that made me take up pedal steel. I had always heard country pedal steel, and liked it okay. But when I heard BJ on Tiny Dancer I was completely entranced, and realized it can be a seriously gorgeous instrument with any kind of music. I had to have one.

Yes, BJ is a nice fellow, I met him at SXSW in Austin years back and saw him sit in with the Shakin' Apostles. The next day saw him at the Saturday Morning Jam in the Parking Lot of this diner (forget The Name)

A fun time, below is a picture of me and B J, he had been to Luchenbach,TX that morning for a visit. Note Herb Steiner behind us on the left.

Shakin' Apostles, Freddie Krc's band. I've had the honor of playing with Freddie a couple of times, wonderful musician. Now not to take anything away from BJ Cole's great steel part but here's a version that's far from lifeless:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=u3ppoX4bVTQ

i've always found elton's voice a little contrived....which, i guess, kept me from appreciating what everyone else saw in him.

Most likely thats the Cornell Hurd Band out of Austin in the picture, I see Howard Kalish on fiddle and Herb Steiner...

Brandon

Does anyone know if he also played on "Country Comforts"? One of my favorites from Elton.

Country Comfort features Gordon Huntley, then working with Mathews Southern Comfort, one of the earliest UK country-rock bands to release an album.