The Steel Guitar Forum

I can't believe I've paid him no attention before! Thanks to Steve Fishell's book - it's been an education for me! - I just listened to some clips.

Murphey played with all the spirit, audacity and sheer invention that typified Buddy Emmons in the modern era. I was bowled over!

Can anyone suggest a definitive album or collection that might encapsulate his major work?

Wow! He was GREAT!

There is a lot of great stuff by him, but the only recording I own is just the CD "Murph" produced by Forum member Michael Johnstone, who as I remember, took care of Joaquin in his last days, or months.

It's a great recording and was a nice final piece for a great Icon. It's from 1999, It may still be available, hopefully Michael will see this and chime in!

Not 100% Murphey, but what's on there makes time stand still.

Also, check out Chris Clem's YouTube channel.

Lot of material on his life and recordings when you google his name.

https://youtu.be/pL-pOf8GcUI

Our own Mike Neer compiled all his solos from the charts in a Murphey book by our own John McGann and Andy Volk.

I’ve listened to this on repeat a lot - a whole lot.

Get the book here from Mike Neer:

https://steelinstruction.com/product/al ... tar-solos/

Earl Murphey is a hero of mine. You may find of interest a chapter on him included in the file below that is hosted here on the forum. It begins at p222.

https://b0b.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2 ... -South.pdf

I have the last guitar he played at the shop for sale that Chas Smith built for him- wowowow!

Thanks for all the links and info!

I can easily see how Buddy was inspired by Murphey's confident and almost brash musicality. It's hard to think of players ever intimidating the Big E but, of course, that had to be a big part of what drove him to reach the pinnacle that he did.

I hear the same spirit within both of these landmark players.

Listen how he digs in hard on his second short solo:

https://youtu.be/kfBdHfg1Gpg

Great clip! Thanks, Bill.

Now you've got me salivating over that beautiful Gibson L-5!

Oh yeah. He's a smoking rhythm player too. Busting out those western swing cords while he's singing like it ain't nothing but a thing!

Wow, that was great, I always knew that the 3 Stooges had great taste in music

Craig Stock wrote:...I always knew that the 3 Stooges had great taste in music...

Many straight steel players are on the Joaquin Murphey bandwagon. The guy played the most crisp, tasty and interesting little solos of his time on steel guitar He really was a fantastic and iconic player in the Western Swing universe. There’s one in particular on the Roy Rogers record, The Kid With A Rip, that I love so much. He really captured the vibe of a kid without a care in the world.

https://youtu.be/bknlMoMjBl4

For those listeners with Spotify, I’ve tried to compile a playlist of every track Joaquin played on that’s available I. the platform. Yet it is still only a sample of his brilliance because it doesn’t have is work with Tex Williams’ Caravan nor when he returned to Spade Cooley (Dance-O-Rama) and the more big band swing sound.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3wGUd ... ec0f6f6a40

Some could make a case that Joaquin"s playing on the 1954 Dance O Rama LP with Spade Cooley was his best. I would also make the case for his playing on the transcription Disc with Tex Williams.There are many more on my YouTube channel.

Here is the Dance O Rama LP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqSAVpH6gUI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwn99tEsWRo

Here is one of the Tex Williams Disc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5fBuNVcqUQ

I have his last guitar at the shop for sale- built by Chas Smith.

Spent this afternoon listening to Joaquin.His playing was beyond reproach. So inventive and you can hear how he influenced the playing of some of steel guitars greats that came along after him.

Here's some later work. Buddy Emmons playing bass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGx0xqgJUZg

Chris Clem wrote:Some could make a case that Joaquin"s playing on the 1954 Dance O Rama LP with Spade Cooley was his best. I would also make the case for his playing on the transcription Disc with Tex Williams.There are many more on my YouTube channel.

Here is the Dance O Rama LP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqSAVpH6gUI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwn99tEsWRo

Here is one of the Tex Williams Disc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5fBuNVcqUQ

I transcribed the solo to Yearnin’ a few years ago. For sure, the Dance O Rama record is my favorite Joaquin playing.
http://www.lapsteelin.com/2014/01/17/jo ... anscribed/
https://youtu.be/l8IDSA39zzw

If you want to dig deeper and hear more of how he developed, check out his playing with Andy Parker and the Plainsmen. Lotta great playing on those sides.

If you can find it "The Coast Recordings vol. 2" is a good place to start.

The solo on the Roy Rogers track is terrific.

Mike - thanks for 'Yearning': his playing is so fearless! I'm reminded so much of Buddy's playing hearing Joaquin - I can easily see how he was a musical inspiration to Emmons.

Thanks, everyone. I have enjoyed all the links.