The Steel Guitar Forum

I was given this great version of Neil Flanz playing "Nameless Shuffle". http://picosong.com/YeqM/

For me, that's the best cover of the tune that I've heard.
Great job Neil.
BB

BOBBY, what do expect, it's Neil Flanz one of the greats, hey I should know, he was my pedal steel instructor here in Hollywood, Florida.
He has some sort of magic inside his bar hand, I watched him for hours, never did get his tone down.
He's true at heart when it comes to playing, sure wish he was back in Florida.

KEN

I've had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Neil for the last year or so, playing guitar and looking over his shoulder with a local Austin band, Fingerpistol.

I can honestly say he's one of the nicest guys you'll ever want to meet, and as we've become better friends, he's literally buried me with a collection of DVDs of rare and cool music videos. We obviously talk steel a good bit, and one day he just showed up with a pile of DVDs and said "Here, you'll probably like these.." Lots of old TV shows, ET, etc.. really cool stuff.

We just finished recording a new Fingerpistol CD together, to be released in Feb. If anybody wants a teaser tune or two with some of Neil's playing, I've got permission from the bandleader to post a couple..

I must agree with BB, that is one of the best covers I have heard.

What a beautiful performance. So 'different' and creative too! A technical masterpiece.

THANKS for sharing.

I have to agree with Bobby.. Great Job Neil.

Bill Terry wrote:If anybody wants a teaser tune or two with some of Neil's playing, I've got permission from the bandleader to post a couple..

I'm as anybody as anybody, so count me in, and up for those videos as well!

I can't speak for the videos, but I'll check with Neil and see what songs from the CD he'd like to have posted..

Here's a couple Neil and I like from the new CD. What I've come to appreciate about Neil is how he always seems to find a part that fits the song, rather than just mashing A and B like some ham-handed (footed?) steel players I know (ahem..)

Country Music Made a Drinker Out of Me

Songs About Hank Williams

Hey Bill, Who is playing the steel on these clips, is it you or Neil? If it is Neil, is he playing an Emmons PP. Just curious. Is Neil or yourself coming up to the Dallas show this year. If you are coming let me know please.

George

Like the clips.

The guitar I hear and the style of playing on the two clips is nothing like the one I hear on "the Nameless Shuffle".
Could be that's what was called for by the producer, I donno'. It just don't sound like Neil to me.
BB

Neil is one of the finest emulators of the Buddy Emmons sound, on E9 especially. he has spent the better part of his life chasing that tone, and he really nails it.

and he is indeed one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. a genuine gentleman.

George, yes, that's Neil playing steel, and it's his rosewood p/p, around a '74 model I think. I'm the guitar player in this band. I'm not going to the show, not sure about Neil. He doesn't drive a lot these days, so if he can catch a ride with someone headed that way from Austin he might.

Neil and I are certainly sidemen on this gig. The band leader co-produced with Mark Hallman from Congress House Studio. So after tracking, we were totally out of the loop. It's definitely different than the "Nameless Shuffle" track, no argument there, but I like what Neil plays.

I remember Neil playing The Nameless Shuffle in his living room,I couldn't say a word for the next 10 minutes I guess.

Neil is a great guy and a friend for life.

Olaf:
The version Chris was given is the version that Neil recorded in his living room around the early 2000's. He sent me the clip back then in an email and if I remember correctly, he said that Buddy gave him the track that Neil used.

Besides this song, Neil also sent me some real rare stuff, some of him and some by others, like the 2 vocals by Jimmy Day put out back in 1967 on a Texas label 45 record. He also had a million stories about Nashville back in the day and you could listen to him for hours.

As an aside, Neil is from the same Canadian city as Darrell McCall's wife Mona.

Olaf:
The version Chris was given is the version that Neil recorded in his living room around the early 2000's. He sent me the clip back then in an email and if I remember correctly, he said that Buddy gave him the track that Neil used.

Besides this song, Neil also sent me some real rare stuff, some of him and some by others, like the 2 vocals by Jimmy Day put out back in 1967 on a Texas label 45 record. He also had a million stories about Nashville back in the day and you could listen to him for hours.

As an aside, Neil is from the same Canadian city as Darrell McCall's wife Mona.

Hey Graham,I just spoke to Neil and he is really happy with the release of the new"Fingerpistol"cd this month.

Neil indeed has some fantastic untold stories and he still remembers them by the date.

Honestly, I could listen to Neil's playing (and storytelling) all day long. Terrific.
Here's some more..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htZOeXAvqSc

Here's some early work with Joe Sun and Shotgun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlYfKRLqWfE

Somewhere around the house, I have a cassette Neil sent me of the Joe Sun material. I also have a cd he sent me entitled Neil Flanz - Pickin' At Home.

Songs on the cd are:
Making Believe
Storms Never Last
Danny Boy
Crazy Arms
I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen

That's a beautiful Steel Guitar tune and I really enjoy hearing it. Neil, you did an outstanding job playing it.

Great Job On a Great tune. Keep up the good work. Jerry Foster.

I added a rhythm track for Nameless Shuffle here:


http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=260362


Greg

I had the great fortune to meet Neil Flanz when he lived in Hollywood Florida. He took me on as a student, and the Nameless Shuffle was a tune that he played for and with me. It is a such a well crafted piece. I remember working the tune out after I left FL, and knew it would still take a lifetime to bring the emotion and execution to it that Neil is able to do.

Neil, I miss you, man! send me your contact info. I am thinking of getting back into it.