Cryin' Steel Guitar

[Russ Hicks]

Do you now or have you ever had a particular steel guitar solo that was so awesome to you that it brought you to tears? I have, and still do. I'll never get over Buddys' solo on John Hartfords' "Gentle on my Mind". It brings me to tears; tears of regret because I know I never could play like that, can't play like that now, and will never be able to play like that. But mostly it brings tears of pure joy when I hear it, realizing that he could.

[Larry Dering]

At the St Louis ISGA when Buddy played Once upon a time in the West. After the E-bow solo I wanted to cry. It was beyond beautiful. Sometimes a song just hits you and there's no forgetting it.

[Dave Magram]

...I'll never get over Buddys' solo on John Hartfords' "Gentle on my Mind".

Russ,
I completely agree. I heard this on the radio years ago, and immediately went out and bought the LP.

I recently played "Gentle on my Mind" for a musician friend of mine (not a steel player), and he just laughed with amazement at the audaciousness and musicality of Buddy's solo!

John Hartford -- Gentle On My Mind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbZHIoaapmE
(John introduces Buddy's solo at 3:29.)

I recall talking with Peggy Emmons at one of the ISGC shows.
She told me that when Buddy & Peggy lived in California, Buddy and John became good friends, and John often visited the Emmons' house in Downey.

- Dave

[John Brabant]

First time I was brought to tears was during a jam that took place the afternoon prior to Scotty's 1995 show. The players were trading back and forth on a ballad, and it was Jimmy Day's solo that was so very soulfully played, it took everyone in the room's breath away. Up there with Jimmy were Jeff Newman and Paul Franklin, possibly others, hard to remember. Jeff Newman said after Jimmy's solo, "Jimmy, why don't you put a little soul into it next time". It went right through me. I had never heard Jimmy play live before then and I am forever in awe.

[Jeff Garden]

Buck Reid's version of "Cry" goes right through me. Beautiful and sad all at the same time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvtW79TtFdM

[Craig Stock]

Agreid on Buck Reid

[John De Maille]

I guess I'm most affected by John Hughey playing Look At Us.

[Marty Broussard]

I listened to Gentle on my Mind last night—-I agree Russ...tears and all
Also listened to Lloyd play You Don’t Have Far to Go
Buddy’s Once Upon a Time in the West
On Johnny Bush’s Rainbow Colored Words ballad—The steel solo...wow
Buddy on George Strait’s So Much Like My Dad
John Hughey on Look At Us
Paul on Nervous Breakdown

So many more....after listening while laying in bed I’d just about decided to quit. I’m getting short on time and I’ll NEVER be the player I aspired to be as a teenager.

[Fred Treece]

So many more....after listening while laying in bed I’d just about decided to quit. I’m getting short on time and I’ll NEVER be the player I aspired to be as a teenager.

“Steel guitarist for Tracy Byrd”...I don’t know what goals you set as a teenager, but that achievement looks pretty good to me.

[Brint Hannay]

Buddy E's solo on Albert Lee's version of "Till I Can Gain Control Again".
Solo at 2:35.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjrA9oWktj8

(His fills and in fact the whole arrangement just kill me. His harmonics at the end of the song--wow!) (And in my personal opinion, Albert sings this as well as anyone.)

[Dale Rottacker]

Watching Buddy play Nameless Shuffle with Laney does it for me, that and watching him play A Song For Peggy.

[Edward Efira]

Tears in my eyes too Russ...

[Fred Treece]

Buddy E's solo on Albert Lee's version of "Till I Can Gain Control Again".
Solo at 2:35.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjrA9oWktj8

(His fills and in fact the whole arrangement just kill me. His harmonics at the end of the song--wow!) (And in my personal opinion, Albert sings this as well as anyone.)

Never heard that version before. Albert’s voice didn’t do anything but get better over time, and his acoustic solo there is the perfect setup for Buddy’s sweet singing steel. Thanks for posting.

[Ford Cole]

The steel break on Vince's "Go Rest High" at an outdoor funeral...yea. I assume it was John Hughey. Or Tommy Detamore's solo version of the great old hymn, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." Wipes me out.

[Rick Campbell]

Russ,

Your intro and break on Laney's "Take Me As I Am" is among my favorite soulful playing performances.


RC

[Dave Magram]

Here's another Emmons masterpiece that always gets me...

Steve Young - I Can't Be Myself (When I'm With You)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxtcPxKSrLk

- Dave

[Bob Watson]

Buddy's playing on Blue Jade on the Black Album is one of the most heartfelt musical performances I've ever heard on any instrument. The raw emotion he communicates is truly amazing!

[Joe Krumel]

there are so many solos/intros/licks that affect me big time.Like Russ said,they bring tears of excitement,joy,amazement all at the same time.One solo that always stops me cold is Dan Dugmore,Blue Bayou. Doug Jernigans Shenandoah is an emotional bomb!Too many for me to list. Great post Russ!

[Asa Brosius]

That vid of Emmons playing 'nameless shuffle'- laughing, playing beautifully, surrounded by all those great steel players watching on is a nice one. Similar to Hughey doing 'my weakness is too strong' with the Time Jumpers at the station inn- nothing like a slow perfect in the pocket rhythm section to make you feel. The reverence towards these greats in their final years is palpable, and it feels like a spell is cast in both those vids.
But yeah- the gentle on my mind solo. What a time for recording- a massive hit song (for other singers), way too many solos for radio play, that shredding fiddle in and out of tune, and trusting Emmons to add an unparalleled bebop back neck solo. That song would never be recording like that today, not just because very few could conceive of and perform the steel part. The mind, the cojones and the execution - astounding.
Learning that solo was a quarantine project- a lot (a lot) of time and patience got me there, clean, and about 20 bpms short of the real thing. I kept waiting for something to click technique-wise, economy of motion, exploring different string groupings- to at least get me on the same planet as Emmons- I don't think I'll get over that wall, and it's still an absolute joy to listen to.

[Ron Shalita]

I cry ever time I sit down behind mine, knowing that I will never play like Dale Rottacker..

[Dale Rottacker]

I cry ever time I sit down behind mine, knowing that I will never play like Dale Rottacker..

You gotta reach WAY higher than that Ron... But thanks anyhow.

[Joe Goldmark]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6-u4rj ... West-Topic

Here's one that grabs me, "Slow And Easy" by the great Speedy West. Although it's not E9, there's many of those kinds of changes on this one.

Joe

[Joe Krumel]

Wow Joe. That slow and easy was great! Never heard it before. Thanks for the great song.

[Larry Bressington]

Great post, The one that always did it for me Lloyd Green‘s solo on Ricky Skaggs ‘Nothin can hurt you’ it makes me jump up go Yes yes yes!!!

[Audie Shields]

I agree with Russ, that is a great solo and to my knowledge no pedals are used. Another song that is a great song played with so much emotion is “ Someone to watch over me” played by Mr Russ Hicks. I about wore out that CD from listening to it! Especially the ending. What a player!!!!