The Steel Guitar Forum

I've heard some songs from the 80s where a country song has disco-style bass with a steel guitar. In those songs, the guitar lays down the foundation by just strumming the chords.

I think it sounds pretty cool. I've even thought that it'd be a good style to perform for an audience. It's got a groove, is danceable, and the steel guitar gives it cohesion and emotion. It's just generally fun music.

Disco-inspired music is back in style too. The biggest song from last summer was retro disco: http://youtu.be/h5EofwRzit0. The same artists had some ambient pedal steel on the album that this song was on.

Does anyone make this kind of music or does anyone have good examples of it from the past?

Clover from the seventies, with John McFee. Their "Unavailable" album has some good disco sounds.
This song is not on that album, but a good example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6ndpjH2D_Q
From "Unavailable":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV3-E2GBVQU
For me this song is the best:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNc8CZ0LJ8E

Great stuff. It just goes to show, the steel can go anywhere and do anything.

Wow, you all gave me a way to re-invent myself. Years ago, before I came to my senses, I worked in a disco as a DJ and bouncer. Now, I can play some of those old tunes on steel!

Might even write a disco song myself... let's see... I think I'll call it "Disco Duck"... quack quack...

I can't wait to hear the song. Please post when you have it done. Bob M

Aw shoot... Rick Dees beat me to it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97RjuC9YeXg

Oh well, another million slips through my hands...

Scott Duckworth says: " Oh well, another million slips through my hands..."

It woulda ruint you anyway!

I can't wait to hear the song. Please post when you have it done. Bob M

what is a disco duck worth?

Almost Disco...
Freeway:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYauKFi1gjg

"Let It Happen" from the album Slow Dancer by Boz Scaggs features steel also. It's on YouTube. Good night.

Joachim Kettner wrote:Clover from the seventies, with John McFee. Their "Unavailable" album has some good disco sounds.
This song is not on that album, but a good example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6ndpjH2D_Q
From "Unavailable":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV3-E2GBVQU
For me this song is the best:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNc8CZ0LJ8E

I love this forum! Clover is great! Many of these players went on to play with the likes of Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams and the Doobie Brothers. And of course that long haired gentlemen on the harmonica is non other the Huey Lewis, who along with the organ player Sean Hopper formed Huey Lewis and the News. Thanks for sharing these great songs and videos Joachim!

Some of the cuts on Bobby Black's "honky cat" album sound pretty disco to me...

Abe Levy wrote:Some of the cuts on Bobby Black's "honky cat" album sound pretty disco to me...

Another great LP that, sadly, was too far ahead of its time. Tom Bradshaw ought to be commended for producing it.

Felix Cavaliere with Hank DeVito:
Starts at 7:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HOGgf5MTnU

The great Earnest Bovine with french singer Michel Polnareff:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqi6BN7hgCA

Nothing wrong with the concept I guess, no matter how regressive - just never thought I'd see the terms "pedal steel" and "disco" in the same phrase…

Disco Duck Dynasty

Here are two cuts off Random Access Memories with Greg Leisz. Sounds like they ran the steel part through a harmonizer or something on "Beyond".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvR9-LniaPM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ1vdnW0mtQ

Joachim Kettner wrote:The great Earnest Bovine with french singer Michel Polnareff:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqi6BN7hgCA

Very cool.

Jeff Newman and now Tommy Dodds with "Dance With Me."

Herb Steiner wrote:Jeff Newman and now Tommy Dodds with "Dance With Me."

Whose versions are those? (pretty common song title)

Orleans?

Click HERE for my take on disco steel.

Barry Blackwood wrote:Orleans?

This picture is a joke. This is better: