Track from my latest recording session...

Travis Lyon · Post by **Travis Lyon** » 8 Oct 2014 1:48 am

Right before I moved to Ireland a month ago, I had one last session a week before my flight. I played on a number of songs on guitar, bass and steel, but this one I am particularly proud of and wanted to share the rough mix. I played two solos and intertwined them, and added the regular guitar part on the second half of it all. The setup was just my GFI Expo into a TC Hall of Fame reverb set to cathedral direct into the board. It's not quite country, but I'd appreciate any comments or constructive criticisms. And as a warning its not straight country, and I attempted my best to imitate Sneaky Pete and Greg Leisz in terms of feel.

Click below to hear it, the steel comes in around halfway.
Love Afraid (Rough Mix)

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 8 Oct 2014 2:13 am

nice...well written and performed...doesn't have to be Country...!

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 8 Oct 2014 6:26 am

Good! Nice acoustic guitar playing also!

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 8 Oct 2014 10:02 am

The steel playing was good, but, just a personal opinion here, I enjoyed the second half of the recording much more than the first, and I feel that the steel guitar should be present throughout the whole song.

After playing this song several times I've been racking my brain to try and remember where I've heard that melody before, and then I found myself hearing in my head one of Ricky Nelson's compositions from the early 70s which has a very similar melody. I can't remember the name of his tune, but he has a steel guitar throughout which sounds similar to yours, which was probably played by Buddy Emmons.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 8 Oct 2014 10:07 am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMW4I2h ... 6540317185
It finally came to me. It was "Palace Guard." The song isn't exactly the same as yours.

Travis Lyon · Post by **Travis Lyon** » 9 Oct 2014 5:27 am

Thanks for the comments, and that's a good Ricky tune Alan. I don't think comparing any part of my playing to The Big E is quite fair for Buddy though. I still haven't made it far past the E levers....

Quentin Hickey · Post by **Quentin Hickey** » 3 Dec 2014 5:28 pm

Good job Travis your coming along nicely on the steel.

Tom Gorr · Post by **Tom Gorr** » 3 Dec 2014 6:30 pm

I think bringing in the steel right at the solo keeps it fresh and positions the song somewhere between Pink Floyd and Folk, whereas having it play right through the song may push the 'sound' of the song away from this rather strong positioning. I like the way you've done it.

I really like the solo with the double steels intertwining....aethereal...nice....its an interesting song that's very easy on the ears.

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 3 Dec 2014 6:46 pm

Travis, I liked it a lot! The listener sits there listening to a beautiful song with all the traditional instruments and then the pedal steel comes sneaking in on the break. Like it its you in the face and lets you know that yes, sure, that's what the song needs!

Your playing is fine...so calm and soothing. Your tone is impeccable.
Good job!