Favorite progressive steel albums

About Steel Guitarists and their Music

Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn

User avatar
David L. Donald
Posts: 13696
Joined: 17 Feb 2003 1:01 am
Location: Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Contact:

Favorite progressive steel albums

Post by David L. Donald »

So. Who likes what.
Specifically albums where you heard something that made you go;
WHAT was that!!!
Sure there are many beautiful albums with impecable playing.

But I am looking for the things that just pinned you ears back and made you wonder.
And pushed the steel to another level.
Gary Walker
Posts: 1937
Joined: 20 Jul 2000 12:01 am
Location: Morro Bay, CA

Post by Gary Walker »

David, I know this is history but the album that ripped the socks off of me was "Big Hits on Big Steel" by Curly Chalker in '66. That project pushed the steel beyond anything that had been done and still stands out today. Obviously it's still my favorite.
John Bresler
Posts: 1220
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Thornton, Colorado

Post by John Bresler »

"The Moods of Maurice Anderson", specifically the song "Big D Spree". A new concept with his Universal tuning.
User avatar
Al Marcus
Posts: 9440
Joined: 12 May 1999 12:01 am
Location: Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
Contact:

Post by Al Marcus »

If you can still get it, Reece wrote it and tabbed it out. "Big D Spree".
I got a copy somewhere in my music room.

The whole album "Modern Steel Guitar " By Reece in 1968 was, really pushing the envelope.

A lot of nice jazz standards in it. And he did it with his revolutionary Bb6-major 7th tuning!.....al Image Image<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Al Marcus on 21 May 2003 at 06:45 PM.]</p></FONT>
Reggie Duncan
Posts: 2257
Joined: 17 Dec 2001 1:01 am
Location: Mississippi

Post by Reggie Duncan »

Pacific Steel Company. JayDee Maness, Al Perkins, Tom Brumley, Red Rhodes and Sneaky Pete Kleinow.
User avatar
Scott Henderson
Posts: 2245
Joined: 9 May 2003 12:01 am
Location: Camdenton, Missouri, USA

Post by Scott Henderson »

Hal Rugg" alter ego" was a turning point for me.

------------------
Steelin' away in life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com


User avatar
David L. Donald
Posts: 13696
Joined: 17 Feb 2003 1:01 am
Location: Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Contact:

Post by David L. Donald »

Any era is fine for this. I think so far the selections are the correct idea.
Seminal albums that still stand the test of time.
I had just heard Jimmy Crawford's "Steel Crazy" and wonder what else was out there.
So, Sol Hoopii and before, to the newest thing out... but it must curl your socks back!<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 22 May 2003 at 01:05 AM.]</p></FONT>
User avatar
Tony Prior
Posts: 14522
Joined: 17 Oct 2001 12:01 am
Location: Charlotte NC
Contact:

Post by Tony Prior »

Big Hits on Big Steel was the one of the first 2 Steel albums I ever purchased when I made my first trip to Nashville. I bought BIG HITS because the cover looked way too cool..

How could ya turn down an album with a smiling guy in a shiney suit playing a Sho-Bud on the cover...?

and then after listening to it , it still ranks as one of my favorite all time steel records.

Another favorite of mine ( as an out there trend setter ) is Buddy with Lenny Breau..
Minors Aloud..Some of my jazz pals couldn't get over that one ...especially after seeing my D10 and sitting down behind it trying to figure the dang thing out.

"It's a long way from a 335 guys "

theres many great ones and we are fortunate for those years that those guys pushed the Instrument and ability to new levels.

tp
Pete Burak
Posts: 6530
Joined: 2 Oct 1998 12:01 am
Location: Portland, OR USA

Post by Pete Burak »

Tommy Hannum - This Ain't Rocket Science
A great listen from a great talent!

For a real listening treat of the "Progressive" nature, check out Olli Haavisto's "Music For Bus Stops". http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum3/HTML/014811.html
This CD makes my ears incredibly happy!
User avatar
Mike Perlowin
Posts: 15171
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Los Angeles CA
Contact:

Post by Mike Perlowin »

For me it was Buddy Emmons Live at the convention. The first time I the opening lick in "The Preacher" I nearly fell out of my chair.
User avatar
David Mason
Posts: 6072
Joined: 6 Oct 2001 12:01 am
Location: Cambridge, MD, USA

Post by David Mason »

Dave Ristram plays rock and fusion on "Crisis at the Theme Park", including a killer version of the Jeff Beck/Stevie Wonder tune "Cause We've Ended as Lovers". Dan Tyack plays New Orleans funk/blues on "Blackened Toast", including a great guest solo by Paul Franklin on "Sleepwalk". Bruce Kaphan plays sort of ambient pedal steel on "Slider", but with a lot more balls than most new age stuff. All available from b0b here.
User avatar
Ray Jenkins
Posts: 2779
Joined: 28 Jan 2000 1:01 am
Location: Gold Canyon Az. U.S.A.

Post by Ray Jenkins »

Anything by Mike Smith.
Ray

------------------
Steeling is still legal in Arizona


User avatar
Dave Van Allen
Posts: 6157
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Doylestown, PA , US , Earth
Contact:

Post by Dave Van Allen »

I'm with Mike on this one- Emmons Live at the '77 ISGC double album set, now on CD thru buddyemmons.com;

Buddy in excellent form doing Pat Martino, Wes Montgomery, Ennio Morricone tunes in stunning arrangements- and playing the classics Way to Survive and Mansion on the Hill...
=============================

Hot Club of America in Hi-Fi - Jody Carver & Johnny Cucci kickin' booty like an east coast West & Bryant- an amazing musical artifact
=============================

Introducing Joe Maize and His Cordsmen- Steel in a lounge pop setting from the 50's with novelty numbers and sound FX stylings- an eye opener
=============================

POCO's second album (orange groves on the cover) second side- Rusty Young burning up C6th thru a leslie and wah.
=============================

SUITE STEEL: a compilation from the early 70's with Emmons, Young, Sneaky Pete and others
==============================

BJ Cole with Luke Vibert- Stop The Panic; Brit Pop Dj Electronica dance music with steel
==============================

Vanduras= Gary Brandin- retro-moderne lounge pop with great playing and arrangements
==============================

Alvino Rey= Swingin' Fling: 50's great Big Band charts with startling steel guitar interjections

Alvino's work 60's as a studio player for "Esquivel!" lots of various cuts
=============================

i can't hold it exclusively to whole albums... there are so many examples of individual cuts or singles thru the years that have crystaline hair raising moments.... Sneaky Pete's fuzztone mutitrack string section on Danny O'Keefe's "Quits"...Emmons on JB Sebastian's "Rainbows all over your blues"...Tom Brumley on Rick Nelson's "Last Time Around"...


ahhh my brain hurts
Paul Osbty
Posts: 263
Joined: 28 Jan 2003 1:01 am
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA

Post by Paul Osbty »

"Dave Ristram plays rock and fusion on "Crisis at the Theme Park","

I would be very interested in hearing this. I can't seem to find it, though. Any ideas?

I have mentioned this before, but I first was inspired by Steve Howe (of Yes) of all things. The genre of music that is Yes is the LAST place I thought steel would be used, but he made it work. He is a multi-guitarist, so it is yet another guitar that he uses, not his principal instrument.

The most far-reaching example of his is the Relayer album by Yes. Steel all over the place (E9th AND lap). In one song he uses E9th, sitar, 12 string acoustic, and Telecaster!<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Paul Osbty on 22 May 2003 at 02:06 PM.]</p></FONT>
User avatar
David L. Donald
Posts: 13696
Joined: 17 Feb 2003 1:01 am
Location: Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Contact:

Post by David L. Donald »

My budget hurts just looking at this list and that's fine with me. Keep'em commin'
Very interesting stuff so far.
Big D Spree sounds just right for me with 5 D's in my name.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 22 May 2003 at 01:51 PM.]</p></FONT>
User avatar
Dave Van Allen
Posts: 6157
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Doylestown, PA , US , Earth
Contact:

Post by Dave Van Allen »

Dave Ristrim's CD is available thru the Steel Forum Catalog!!!!

http://b0b.com/products/music.html#daveristrim
User avatar
CrowBear Schmitt
Posts: 11624
Joined: 8 Apr 2000 12:01 am
Location: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
Contact:

Post by CrowBear Schmitt »

BJ Cole fer sure Image Image Image

------------------
Steel what?


User avatar
Al Marcus
Posts: 9440
Joined: 12 May 1999 12:01 am
Location: Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
Contact:

Post by Al Marcus »

David-Check with Reece Anderson, he may still have "Big D Spree" available and with tab too.....al Image
User avatar
Johan Jansen
Posts: 3328
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Europe
Contact:

Post by Johan Jansen »

Dan Tyack 'Blackened Toast' for shure!!
Love the tone and approach! JJ

------------------
Image Click on the pic!

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Johan Jansen on 23 May 2003 at 06:14 AM.]</p></FONT>
User avatar
David L. Donald
Posts: 13696
Joined: 17 Feb 2003 1:01 am
Location: Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Contact:

Post by David L. Donald »

I emailed Reece for a copy of Big D Spree.
> Unfortunately he has no more copies.
One or two people actually have called me Big D.
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 23 May 2003 at 11:27 AM.]</p></FONT>
User avatar
Michael Haselman
Posts: 1285
Joined: 23 Aug 2002 12:01 am
Location: St. Paul
Contact:

Post by Michael Haselman »

How about "Nashville Bar Association," with Buddy, et al? Pedal steels subbing for horn sections. I still love that picture on the sleeve where they're all wearing judge's robes.

------------------
Marrs D-10, Webb 6-14E
User avatar
Joerg Hennig
Posts: 1046
Joined: 17 May 2001 12:01 am
Location: Bavaria, Germany

Post by Joerg Hennig »

If you´re asking for progressive steel, my big favorite right now is "Stirfried-Electrafried Live". Buddy Cage, of course.
User avatar
Eric West
Posts: 5747
Joined: 25 Apr 2002 12:01 am
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
Contact:

Post by Eric West »

I kind of liked Glaciers Come, Glaciers Go. by Ned Selfe.

What the hell. It sounded "progressive" to me.

EJL
User avatar
Chuck McGill
Posts: 1890
Joined: 30 Apr 2002 12:01 am
Location: An hour from Memphis and 2 from Nashville, R.I.P.

Post by Chuck McGill »

I agree Johan. Dan Tyack and also
Dave Ristrim(excuse the spelling if wrong)
These guys have a real different approach
I like. And the tone is cool. I have never listed my gear in fear my wife will trace
me to the forum Image but I'm feeling especially brave today. So here goes

Emmons D10 push/pull Birds eye satin 8x5
Sho Bud D10 Super Pro 8x6
Zum U12 7X6
Mesa Studio Pre/Mesa 50/50- Marshall Jmp1 pre
2X12 Marshall cab
User avatar
David L. Donald
Posts: 13696
Joined: 17 Feb 2003 1:01 am
Location: Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Contact:

Post by David L. Donald »

Having had Buddy Cage play at my home about a dozen years ago, I am not surprised to see him in this list. A great jam we had that night.
Post Reply