The Steel Guitar Forum

You can have only one ABSOLUTE FAVORITE country song. So what is it. Mine has to be BORN TO LOSE. Not only does that date me but it also indicates what I think is country. Some of the simplest steel playing on that song can be enchanting.

Faded Love

He stopped loving her today.

Wine Me Up

Barry Blackwood wrote:He stopped loving her today.

I'm with Barry on that one. I even remember exactly where I was when I heard it on the radio the first time.

"Someday Soon"-Judy Collins version.Even though Judy's as much a folkie as anything else and producer Steve Stills didn't have as much country cred as a lot of folks,he did have the good sense to get BE and James Burton together for the session,and that made the difference.Saw her at Red Rocks once,and(naturally)she didn't have those two with her-or even anybody doing their parts.That made the difference,too.

"When I Call Your Name" comes to mind by Vince Gill.

George Strait's "Amarillo By Morning"

My favorite song is "Farewell Party" vocals by Johnny Bush, Gene Watson, and Alan Jackson, with Jimmy Day, Lloyd Green, and Paul Franklin respectivly, playing their styles like no other can..... All three versions are Great!

Here are some sound clips below:

Johnny Bush / Jimmy Day
http://users.interlinks.net/rebel/steel/1967.html

Gene Watson / Lloyd Green
http://users.interlinks.net/rebel/steel/1979.html

Alan Jackson / Paul Franklin
http://users.interlinks.net/rebel/steel/1999.html

Wow.. this tough... I guess no matter how many times I hear it "Bottle Let Me Down" just never gets old... just a perfect tune.

"The Cold Hard Facts Of Life" - Porter Wagoner.
It's got everything - psycho-billy truck driver, lyin', drinkin' cheatin' murderin' and jail. All that and a snappy tune. Awesome song!

You don't have very far to go. Haggard version.

Borrowed Angel... Mel Street

Bottle In the Hand...Conway Twitty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKqyfQSGCSA

The Key's in the Mailbox.....Tony Booth.

Borrowed Angel by Mel Street is a close second.

"WHY SHOULD WE TRY ANYMORE" Was the very first country song I ever learned, and played, for an audience.

I agree with Dave Hopping, "Someday Soon" has my vote. Love Judy Collins' version, also met Ian Tyson the songwriter. I don't believe that song can be outdone and Judy's voice was superb. I believe it came out in 1968? Buddy's steel part was magnificient, and of course (true story), I went out and bought a Steel Guitar and learned to play that song which started me on a career of being forever financially embarrassed. To think my parents wanted me to go to college.

Dave Hopping wrote:"Someday Soon"-Judy Collins version.Even though Judy's as much a folkie as anything else and producer Steve Stills didn't have as much country cred as a lot of folks,he did have the good sense to get BE and James Burton together for the session,and that made the difference.Saw her at Red Rocks once,and(naturally)she didn't have those two with her-or even anybody doing their parts.That made the difference,too.

Yes.. This is very close to the top for me as well... A few more..

Bony Fingers.. Hoyt Axton
Rainy day Woman... Waylon
Buckaroo...Buck owens
Cherokee Fiddle.. Johnny Lee
Amazing Grace Used to be Her Favorite Song..
Amazing Rythmn Aces....

To pick ONE............impossible, however, it certainly would be a shuffle....probably by Darrell McCall, Johnny Bush, Ray Price, Curtis Potter, Bobby Flores, or Jake Hooker. Some years ago at the ISGC 1am concert, Jake Hooker stood there and did one shuffle after another along with Bobby Flores (singing and fiddle) and Amber Digby and also with Dicky Overbey on steel...HEAVEN ON EARTH!!!!!

I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

--The original Hank version, without all the chord progression embellishments.

That's as the song itself--this question was posted in the "Steel Players" section, so is it supposed to be about recordings that are one's favorite for the steel playing on them, or songs that are one's favorite to play steel on, or what?

At the moment, it'd have to be 'Louisiana Man' by Rusty and Doug Kershaw (1961 recording). I think there is even a pedal steel guitar on that recording - I can hear a high-pitched whining sound in the background. The steel sounds thin and twangy too, so I think it might be a Fender.

"Chiseled in Stone" by Vern Gosdin. We played the song for years before I ever paid attention to the words. It made me more appreciative of what I have.

All of the Buck Owens and Wynn Stewart recordings with Ralph Mooney on the steel. Love it!!!

Today? "Letter from God" by Teea Goans. If you haven't heard it, Youtube it.

I terms of, like, a country standard that's covered by multiple artists, I'd have to go with "Undo The Right", by just about anyone who covers it.