The Steel Guitar Forum

Bruce Springsteen's new album " Western Stars" drops this week . Marc Muller plays pedal steel on three songs, and lap steel on another. Marc is too modest to brag, so I'll do it for him! Congrats Marc. Well-deserved.

Just listened to Hello Sunshine - lovely steel part! Congrats to him. Rest of the album due in June but you can see this on Vimeo

Steve

Thanks for the nice mention and kind words. Beautiful record filled with pedal steel. Greg Leisz does a beautiful track. I'm pedal steel on 3, including the single released today Hello Sunshine, and wall to wall lap steel, my frypan, on the title track Western Stars. So honored to be on this. Enjoy!

I like it! I’m not the biggest Springsteen fan in the world. He’s done lots of good stuff, though, so I’d like to hear this record.

Great to hear Marc was listening to WOR radio in NYC today and it was a hot topic, and all mentioned the new song was very countryish, glad to see that it was you.

I'm going to see Nils at the City Winery in May, any word on a tour with the boss, supposedly not the E Street band, but maybe a tour with others? Probably to early to say,

Great job Marc. Congrats and bravo.

Not a big Springsteen fan, I must admit but I like this. Sounds like a mix of Everybody's Talking and Gentle On My Mind.

The steel guitar parts are lovely.

I look forward to hearing the album (which I've never said before regarding Mr. S).

Great job, Marc, and very cool gig!

Sounds great Marc. Looking forward to hearing the rest of the cuts.

On another note. Any chance of seeing your steel setup at the next “ Dead on Live” in October.

Bob, Not that I know anything, but by that time Marc will be on the Springsteen World Tour.

Long time no see, hope you are well!

Not nearly as cool as playing Steel for Bruce but early this year I was contacted by an associate of Danny Clinch, Bruce’s long time photographer. They were looking for a vintage car to use as support for the upcoming release of Western Star, especially an older El Camino. I sent pictures which they liked, we agreed on details and Bruce came out to Joshua Tree, CA for the photo shoot. My El Camino is one of several that were used in various locations. I was sworn to secrecy but now I guess it’s ok to brag a little!

Very cool Charlie, were you allowed to be there for the shoots?

They said we could watch if we kept a low profile. We decided to just come back in the evening to pick the car up and if Bruce was there there could be a meet and greet, but Bruce had already left.

Great story and cool car, what a great honor!

Very cool. Back in the summer of 1980, Springsteen's sax player, Clarence Clemons moved in with my friend, who was his new girlfriend Prudence. We were working at an old school, somewhat run down restaurant / marina / motel in Montauk, NY. I had just bought 6 months prior a Sho Bud Maverick and would leave it set up in my tiny room above the restaurant where the help were provided rooms. Clarence lived in the room next door. One day I got off work at 2 p.m. and went up to my room to find Clarence sitting behind my steel making all kinds of noise. He was trying to play to a Commander Cody record I had on the turntable. He then brought out some of his album collection which included Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. Clarence told me that his FAVORITE instrument was the pedal steel. I said after the sax, right? He said no, sax was his second favorite. He was somewhat bummed he couldn't figure out how to play it. Miss those days..

The single is absolutely beautiful & wonderful steel playing Marc!!

Beautiful, Marc. That sound really makes the song spacious.

I heard it on the radio! You rarely hear steel there.

Nice Steel, Marc. Congrats!

Great Bruce stories here too. Thanks all. I saw him first at the ASU gym in Boone, NC, spring 1976. About 500 people max, and they played for hours. Coincidentally, it was about the time I bought my first steel. Go figure.

This is my frypan I used on title track Western Stars. The song is amazing and the unique sparkle of the guitar shines through so nicely. Can't wait till it comes out in June.

I haven’t bought a Bruce album since The River. Looks like the waiting just might be over.
I just listened to an advance of Hello Sunshine, with Marc’s very sweet steel on it, and There Goes My Miracle, which is pretty outstanding vocally and compositionally. The Boss is on to something a bit different with this album, judging by these two songs.

Here's to the cowboy.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IXzAAKrsFE

He is an artist for the ages, worthy of our attention. Marc, will you be touring with him?

Congrats Marc! Haunting drags!

Was that you in the video as well?

The Boss is back!

'67 EC, Charlie?

Marc, I'm really blown away by this CD, bought it yesterday and have been playing it nonstop. Your playing is so fitting.

I thought it would be like Nebraska, but it's so much more, love the strings, horns, steel, banjo (sorry), accordian, bass.

I pretty much wrote off Bruce, but this reaffirms my appreciation of him, having been a long time fan of his. My friend Bob Santelli wrote a few books with him and I have many friends who know him.

Your playing is great as well as Marty Rifkin and Greg, I'm so glad he included you in this great recording.

On New York radio yesterday a entertainment critic says this should win a Grammy.

I'm hoping so!!