JAYDEE MANESS - Review on "From Where I Sit" CD

Mike Headrick · Post by **Mike Headrick** » 11 Nov 2015 3:03 pm

JayDee Maness
From Where I Sit

Now Available at www.JayDeeManess.com

I could write pages and pages telling you things you probably already know about the man, his abilities, and his legacy. His impact spans several genres and decades. Visit his web site and you will see a partial list of the mega-stars whose recordings and performances he has embellished with his signature style, tone, and energy. I once walked into a record store where they were playing a recently stocked record. The first song hadn't even finished when I walked to the sales counter and said "I don't know who the artist is you're playing, but that's JayDee Maness on steel and I want to buy that record."

Although the concept reflected in the title of the CD is about JayDee's perspective of the Steel guitar, let's take it to the next level where JayDee sits in the company of the most accomplished steel guitarists of all time. This is his first solo Instrumental CD and he'll tell you that it may very well be the ONLY one. I can appreciate that! It takes a lot of work, time, expense, and intense concentration to produce any full length album (CD), but "From Where I Sit" is not just ANY CD. It is a very well produced and expertly recorded masterpiece of steel guitar music history, showcasing the talent and genius of one of our most beloved fellow steel guitarists. He has in his own way chosen to pay tribute to other legendary peers by his selection of songs and occasional hints in his phrasing. JayDee's supporting musicians and vocalists featured on the recordings are themselves masters of their instruments and legendary artists.

Graphics:
From Chris Hillman - "I have been so fortunate in my career to have worked with four of the very best steel guitarists in music; JayDee Maness, Tom Brumley, Lloyd Green, and Sneaky Pete Kleinow.
I'm truly honored to be a part of this fine album, and to have a good friend like JayDee."

From Lloyd Green - "This CD goes into my very small collection of 'the best of the best' albums.

From Buddy Emmons (Yes, he heard a pre-press copy before he passed) - "JayDee has the neatest way of getting from one note or harmony notes to another on the E9 tuning that separates him from everybody else."

JayDee thanks Skip Edwards and Peter Freiberger for helping him produce the project. He thanks all the musicians in his long career from whom he has learned, and he thanks his wife for letting him do what he loves....play steel guitar! (We all thank her too, don't we?)

Musicians on the CD:
JayDee - Steel
Peter Freiberger - Bass
Bill Bryson - Bass
John Jorgenson - Acoustic & Electric Guitars
Maria Martinez - Drums / Percussion
Jim E. Christie - Drums
Steve Duncan - Drums
Skip Edwards - Keyboards
Albert Lee - Electric Guitar / Vocal
Chris Hillman - Mandolin / Vocal
Herb Pedersen - Acoustic Guitar / Banjo / Vocal
Gary Park - Acoustic Guitar / Baritone Guitar
Greg Leisz - Acoustic Guitar
Harry Orlove - Acoustic & Electric Guitar

There are other credits on the sleeve as well, but you get the idea!

Now, let's get on with the music itself! My first draft of this review was getting way too long and detailed, so I've condensed it and I hope it holds your attention.

1. JayDee's Boogie (Written by JayDee and John Hobbs)
This is the perfect tune to open with. When you hit the "Play" button you'd better have your seatbelt buckled because the opening phrases will blow you right out of your Lazy Boy recliner! The bluesy, multi-layered unison intro makes the statement "Hold onto your hat guys, because here we go"! The band then bursts into the first section with acres of harmonies intentionally reminiscent of 1960's Lloyd Green. If you're listening with head phones you'll feel like every element of the recording is filling your brain from ear to ear. This tune is loaded with multi-layered harmonies. JayDee plays his own harmony parts. as does John Jorgenson when he takes his solo. Skip Edwards takes a classic boogie style piano ride adding a layer of harmonies on the second half. JayDee's signature drive is apparent throughout the song. This arrangement is second to none and never lets up! This is a brilliant piece of music and production! Well done!

2. Blue Jade (Written by Buddy Emmons)
Take one of the most gorgeous steel guitar melodies ever written and put it into the hands of JayDee Maness and this is what you get! How do you follow Buddy on his own tune and still own it? JayDee shows us how it's done. It's his own tone, his own phrasing, and his own heart. After hearing the first few lines you'll know how much he loves this song. With apt support by John on Nylon String Guitar, Skip on Keys, and the other all-star-cast, this cut goes on record as a most unique and beautiful version of this steel guitar classic.

3. Misty (Written by Garner / Burke)
Many of us have heard JayDee play this tune at steel shows, but we've never heard it well produced like this version. With tasty piano fills and rhythmic banjo in the background, we get the feeling of the Ray Stevens version except Ray has been totally replace by JayDee. Good trade! You know, it wouldn't matter how many times you may have heard JayDee play the song, you'll hear it as new every time because he never plays it exactly the same. It's like he draws new licks from somewhere else in the universe every time he plays it.

4. This Cold War With You (Floyd Tillman)
This classic shuffle takes on new life as JayDee wraps his unique style around it. Yes, this was featured on the tribute to the "Big E". but it's now better! It's been remixed or re-mastered to make the tone of JayDee's Push Pull Emmons match the other tracks on the CD. I love this version of the song more than tongue can tell! If JayDee had played from top to bottom it would have been fantastic, but to have Albert Lee take a guitar solo....WOW! What Albert can do with a Tele goes without saying. What JayDee can do with a Pedal Steel could also go without saying, but we're not going to leave it at that. This is wonderful, yet any track on this CD is worth buying the whole album.

5. Tears In Heaven (Clapton / Jennings)
This is an emotion song, even if you're unaware of why it was written. It's not just about the words of the song, it's the touching melody and the signature licks which help set it apart from the Pop fray. As most of you know, JayDee played on the original recording by Eric Clapton. This is another one we hear him play in his shows, but you'll never hear it like this. The tasteful double tracking and occasional harmonies in just the places and other embellishments he added makes it for me. Also, a studio arrangement like this would be risky at a steel show. The modulation in the middle is another added surprise. John Jorgenson plays some superb guitar (as always) and I say with great enthusiasm that this track lacks nothing!

6. Sin City (Hillman / Parsons)
This is one of my all-time favorite songs. JayDee starts it alone and it's just him and the melody on the first verse. An acoustic rhythm is added on the second verse. Another acoustic is added on the chorus but it's still JayDee and a simple rhythm with a nice stereo image. A mod occurs at the end of the chorus and the steel and guitars fade away as if the song is ending. Then....yeah, THEN.....Chris does pickup notes on the Mandolin and plays the melody through half a verse. John picks it up at that point and plays the last half of the verse with some powerful Tele-popping (or ASAT). There are some real surprises on this track that I ain't gonna give away. You'll have to get the CD to see what I mean by that.

7. Piks & Bar Shuffle (JayDee Maness)
One thing I know for certainty is that this tune will hit a lot of steel players squarely between the eyes. It's a mid tempo shuffle (hence, the title) with walking bass just like your mama used to like it. There may be some tab for this available at JayDee's site at a later date. There's some classic JayDee licks buried in there that could certainly be added to anyone's treasure chest of goodies. Sounds like Harry Orlove (guitar) has heard a Pete Wade recording or two and then injected a double shot of steroids! Super stuff for a steel guitar audience.

8. Rainbows All Over Your Blues (J. Sebastion)
JayDee pairs up with Albert Lee on this one. Albert does a super job on vocals and he seems right at home on this one. JayDee leans heavily on the Bakersfield facet of his repertoire as he fills behind Prince Albert's vocals on the first half of the song. JayDee loves backing a singer and he's having a ball on this John Sebastion classic. JayDee and Albert trade solos back and forth on the last half of the song. Albert could very well be out to prove that Brent and Brad built their houses on his real estate. Gosh, I love his guitar playing! (I love John's playing equally as well). Adding these two guitarists to a JayDee Maness album is like pouring gasoline on an already blazing fire. 'Love this song all over again!

9. Look At Us (Vinnie Gill)
I couldn't hold back a tear in the corner of my eye while listening to this rendition made famous by Vince, but even more famous by John Hughey. It's pretty obvious JayDee is paying homage to two truly great friends here. He lifts this tune to the heights it deserves with many nuances that belong only to him. He proves beyond doubt that he is just at much at home in Hugheyland as he is in Starland. Soulful and heart wrenching....and absolutely beautiful!

10. Fat And Sassy (John Hobbs / JayDee Maness)
Get out your leather tights and revolving mirror balls on this one, guys! Now this track is different! If Disco had all been like this back in the day, I would have had a whole different feeling about it. Extremely creative and incredibly well executed, this is one of my favorite tracks on the CD. I believe JayDee would hold the record for breaking boundaries with the steel guitar, and this is a prime example of his versatility.

11. Forever Loving You (Steve Wariner)
This was Buddy's favorite on the CD. It very well may be yours, too. What a powerful, soulful rendition this is! Just breathtakingly beautiful steel guitar! The strings on this track are full and lush. This is a huge production, friends. Love it!

12. Just Stuff (JayDee Maness)
Are you familiar with that mountain music mode where the 3rd is left out and you have difficulty deciding whether it's played in a major or a minor? Well, here ya go folks! This 59 second head-spinner is a combination of seemingly neverending chromatic runs, well placed harmonics, and an occasional power chord to bring us back to Earth, You'll love this "Stuff" JayDee has closed the CD with. It begins and ends with a swelling distorted drone, and I kept waiting for Bobby Thompson to kick in at the very end with a long descending chromatic banjo run and start the song over again. It didn't happen.

If this enthusiastic, rambling review doesn't make you want to get this CD, then Donald Trump has a few choice words for you and I have wasted at least a gigabite of Bobby's server space.

Get it! YoÃº won't regret it.

Jeff Garden · Post by **Jeff Garden** » 11 Nov 2015 3:36 pm

Thanks for the detailed review, Mike..can't wait to get my copy. JayDee's instantly recognizable style and sound have always been an inspiration for me...I don't think there's ever been a better "steel heavy" country rock band than the Desert Rose Band.

David Nugent · Post by **David Nugent** » 11 Nov 2015 4:05 pm

Of special note is the presence on this recording of the original lineup of the 'Desert Rose Band' in its' entirety. I heartily second Jeff's comment, one of the finest Country groups of all time.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 11 Nov 2015 4:29 pm

I'll have to crack open a beer later to read Mike's review, it'll take awhile. Looking forward to it.

By the way, there's a whole 'nuther thread on this CD started two days ago - let's keep it to two threads max guys, sometimes we get too many going here on the same subject, and it gets to be like herding cats to keep up with all of them.

Were I a moderator I would merge these into one topic.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... 16#2452016

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 11 Nov 2015 4:52 pm

I just ordered mine.

I don't buy many steel guitar CDs but this one is a must!

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 11 Nov 2015 4:56 pm

Wow, what a review. I don't own it yet, but after reading Mikes review, I will have to get a copy. Thanks Mike.

Ray Harrison · Post by **Ray Harrison** » 11 Nov 2015 6:02 pm

Mike, you continue to amaze me.
A fantastic recording engineer, instrumentalist, and arranger.
Now, such a way with words. Your description of these tunes leaves so little to the imagination. A truly great job of laying out the work of these great musicians that can only add to Jay Dee's brilliance...

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 11 Nov 2015 8:41 pm

Just received my copy.

What Mike said, verbatim, is MHO. He's an remarkable musician because he's a remarkable human being.

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 11 Nov 2015 9:42 pm

Herb Steiner wrote:He's an remarkable musician because he's a remarkable human being.

now when you put those two together , what you get is a hero and a legend...

Mike Headrick · Post by **Mike Headrick** » 12 Nov 2015 11:55 am

Ray,

Thanks for your comments, but you know as well as anyone that I normally talk too much, except in this case where I'm talking about JayDee's new CD. I really didn't say enough! People are taking this project seriously and it deserves it. Steel guitar records of this quality are rare indeed.

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 12 Nov 2015 2:03 pm

Haven't gotten the album yet but going to get it and if the whole thing is anything Like Cold War and Rainbows all Over my Blues then it's beyond awesome. Two of my very favorite pickers, Albert Lee and J.D. What a combination. Rain Bows all over my Blues is one of my favorite all time songs, especially with those two picking.

Mike Headrick · Post by **Mike Headrick** » 13 Nov 2015 12:45 pm

Guys, if you read this far down the page you must be interested. Please feel welcome to post your comments about the CD, JayDee, or whatever. It helps to keep this thread at the top of this forum section. Let's give JayDee's CD the send-off it deserves.

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 13 Nov 2015 7:55 pm

Ordered mine today !

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 13 Nov 2015 8:01 pm

I ordered my copy yesterday, but I spent some time with Mark Giles today and listened to a few cuts from it in his truck. It's a great CD, can't wait for my copy.

Mike Headrick · Post by **Mike Headrick** » 14 Nov 2015 1:43 pm

I'd say some of you in the west and mid-west received your CDs today. It would be great if you would post some comments. Thanks!

Chris Templeton · Post by **Chris Templeton** » 14 Nov 2015 6:42 pm

Looking forward to this record.

Mike Headrick · Post by **Mike Headrick** » 16 Nov 2015 5:16 pm

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 16 Nov 2015 5:52 pm

I ordered mine last Thursday and it arrived today. I only had time to listen to a few cuts, but it's a fantastic CD with a great choice of songs.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 16 Nov 2015 6:02 pm

is mike getting a cut of this cd?

Mike Headrick · Post by **Mike Headrick** » 17 Nov 2015 8:22 am

Chris, you seem like such a nice guy! We'll have to meet in person sometime so we can get to know each other better. Some people just like to help other people. I truly want this CD to get the attention it deserves.Not everything is about money.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 17 Nov 2015 9:18 am

sorry...forgot the smilie face.
here's two

i love jd and think he deserves the best!
hope he sells a million!

Scott Baker · Post by **Scott Baker** » 17 Nov 2015 10:34 am

Ordered mine Saturday and it came in the mail Monday!

Rocky Evangelisti · Post by **Rocky Evangelisti** » 17 Nov 2015 4:40 pm

Mine is on its way! Really looking forward to it!

Fish · Post by **Fish** » 19 Nov 2015 5:40 am

Jay Dee's playing is a constant source of inspiration, plus he's one of the finest human beings on the planet. Miss this album at your own peril; it's wonderful! Go on and get one for yourself and send a copy to a friend as a Christmas gift.
~Steve

Jeff Garden · Post by **Jeff Garden** » 19 Nov 2015 5:54 am

What Steve said...this CD is a showcase for pedal steel by one of the masters. Thanks for years of great music Jay Dee!