The Steel Guitar Forum

As if 'Raising the Dickens' wasn't enough, I'm also really entranced by the fourth track on Mike Smith's 'Dreams of India' album, "Jesus Loves Me..."(1975); does anyone know how to play it? (Especially that gorgeous second verse!!!!)
Thanks again, everyone....

Mike Smith is one of my all time favorite musicians. Back in the late 70s he was in Nashville playing with the Gatlin Bros. and I was fortunate to have a couple of lessons with him. He's also an excellent keyboard player and I hear that orientation, particularly in his C6 playing. Both his E9 and C6 playing have had major impact on how I think about pedal steel (I THINK that's a GOOD thing ). He and Paul Franklin used to jam together often at Deeman's Den on Broad in Nashville and I know that Paul has great respect for Mike's playing.

In 1986 or so he gave up playing on the road to manage some of Gatlins business ventures -- publishing/production as I recall. He took a long hiatus from the steel. As I understand it, he came back strong at the 1998 (or 99) Knoxville show, playing a solo, a capella steel set as only he can, and as you can hear on the "Dreams of India" album.

I believe that Mike is living in Colorado now, still in some sort of partnership with Larry Gatlin. He's an often overlooked and highly talented player who I'd like to hear more from. Maybe he'll find the time to amaze us some more one of these days.

Oh yeah, in answer to your question, I haven't ever worked on his arrangement of "Jesus Loves Me" but I'd be interested in seeing the tab if anyone else has.

LTB

Larry,
Did Mike play C6 with 4 picks? Also, do you know his C6 copedent? Thanks

As I recall, (it's been a LONG time) Mike plays with 3 fingers and his thumb. He would also play without picks from time to time. He may have played the Knoxville show without picks (anybody who was there remember?) It would be great to get him plugged in to the Forum, but we all understand how much time it can consume.

I believe his guitar (the first ZumSteel I ever saw up close) had 8 and 8 and the details are lost to the murky mists of time. I do recall that he didn't care for the 'standard' C6 P4 (A's to B) and had replaced it. I don't remember any details, unfortunately.

LTB

I'm committed to figuring this one out...the first thing I had to do was pop a 'G' instead of a 'D' on my 1st string; I haven't got much further yet......I hope Mike answers my 'e' mail!
This is probably NOT the best choice of song for my first ever C6th project......

If Mike was using 4 picks, and you aren't, you will probably have to make some compromises. It sounds to me like Mike had the 4th string A->B raise, at least at that time (1975), because I hear dissonance in the beginning of the second verse. It sounds like it starts off in open tuning with pedal 4, using 4 picks. Another thing is, I wonder if he used more than the basic 5+1 at that time, and did so in this song. A lot of variables.

I believe he used at least four if not five C6 knee levers. The Zum was pretty new, having just switched from the Emmons he played on the album. I recall Mike clearly telling me he didn't have both A's to B on P4 on the Zum because he didn't like the voicing of the resulting Ma7 chord.
FWIW

LTB

Roger it's been 20 years since I tryed to play this.I have the record but nothing to play it on.But I don't think you need a G on top! As I remember it was in C? and the G note was done on the 3rd fret, 2nd string while playing the 7th string open.A lot of the song was based on carrying bass strings and bar-ing the high strings.Just my thoughts bb
As a side note I really dug Mikes playing.He's the one that made me want to start pick blocking, always sounded so clean.I was told in 98 that he does not pick block as a general rule.Also given the time period and Mike being so cool I'm pretty sure he used a D on top for the whole record.Would have to hear it to be positive!<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bobby Boggs on 04 December 2000 at 01:07 PM.]</p></FONT>

I can put your record on CD if you like, as well as make excerpts available to forum members as MP3s. Let me know, 'cause I'd love to hear this album! I'm wired for sound every which way, so if you wouldn't mind mailing me your copy I'll send it back unharmed along with a backup on CD-R.

Thanks
Matt Farrow

Thanks Matt,I have a couple of turn-tables here.It's just a matter of digging one out.If this album is out of print I will make you a cassette of it.But try Emmons,Scottie's,Bobbe Seymour,or Tom Bradshaw first.