Favorite progressive steel albums

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 21 May 2003 2:55 pm

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 · Post by **Gary Walker** » 21 May 2003 3:50 pm

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 · Post by **John Bresler** » 21 May 2003 5:23 pm

"The Moods of Maurice Anderson", specifically the song "Big D Spree". A new concept with his Universal tuning.

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 21 May 2003 5:42 pm

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

[This message was edited by Al Marcus on 21 May 2003 at 06:45 PM.]

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 21 May 2003 8:28 pm

Pacific Steel Company. JayDee Maness, Al Perkins, Tom Brumley, Red Rhodes and Sneaky Pete Kleinow.

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 21 May 2003 9:59 pm

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

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

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 22 May 2003 12:04 am

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![This message was edited by David L. Donald on 22 May 2003 at 01:05 AM.]

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 22 May 2003 2:39 am

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 · Post by **Pete Burak** » 22 May 2003 8:38 am

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!

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 22 May 2003 10:22 am

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.

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 22 May 2003 10:27 am

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.

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 22 May 2003 10:33 am

Anything by Mike Smith.
Ray

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Steeling is still legal in Arizona

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 22 May 2003 10:47 am

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...
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Hot Club of America in Hi-Fi - Jody Carver & Johnny Cucci kickin' booty like an east coast West & Bryant- an amazing musical artifact
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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
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POCO's second album (orange groves on the cover) second side- Rusty Young burning up C6th thru a leslie and wah.
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SUITE STEEL: a compilation from the early 70's with Emmons, Young, Sneaky Pete and others
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BJ Cole with Luke Vibert- Stop The Panic; Brit Pop Dj Electronica dance music with steel
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Vanduras= Gary Brandin- retro-moderne lounge pop with great playing and arrangements
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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
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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 · Post by **Paul Osbty** » 22 May 2003 11:06 am

"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![This message was edited by Paul Osbty on 22 May 2003 at 02:06 PM.]

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 22 May 2003 11:07 am

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.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 22 May 2003 at 01:51 PM.]

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 22 May 2003 11:08 am

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

http://b0b.com/products/music.html#daveristrim

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 22 May 2003 1:19 pm

BJ Cole fer sure

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Steel what?

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 22 May 2003 3:35 pm

David-Check with Reece Anderson, he may still have "Big D Spree" available and with tab too.....al

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 22 May 2003 10:54 pm

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

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Click on the pic!

[This message was edited by Johan Jansen on 23 May 2003 at 06:14 AM.]

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 23 May 2003 7:50 am

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.
[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 23 May 2003 at 11:27 AM.]

Michael Haselman · Post by **Michael Haselman** » 23 May 2003 8:38 am

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.

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Marrs D-10, Webb 6-14E

Joerg Hennig · Post by **Joerg Hennig** » 23 May 2003 1:18 pm

If you´re asking for progressive steel, my big favorite right now is "Stirfried-Electrafried Live". Buddy Cage, of course.

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 23 May 2003 2:20 pm

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

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

EJL

Chuck McGill · Post by **Chuck McGill** » 23 May 2003 2:51 pm

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

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

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 23 May 2003 5:15 pm

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.