The Steel Guitar Forum

Hey all,

New steeler here (6 mos). I'm starting to get a handle on the fretboard/pedals and can actually make this thing sound ok now and then (sometimes). I'm looking for recommendations for songs or albums that would give me a good base of fills and background playing so I can start playing with other people.

If you had to pick out one song or album that contained a wealth of classic examples of country steel playing, what would it be? Stuff I could throw in pretty much anywhere.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=307&item=4072458087&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

ok, it's 10 CDs, but who's counting

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<size=-1><I>“I always knew that there was something out there that I needed to get to.
And it wasn't where I was at that particular moment."</I>
-Bob Dylan
</size>

this thread from the steel forum's past has some good advice in this regard

ANother excellent resource:
Rebel & Ricky & Jeff's MP3 and Tab archive

an archive of intro's and solos and endings... it may not put stuff in the context of backing a singer, but you can hear some of the best solos ever played, and track developments in styles chronologically...


<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 05 February 2005 at 07:23 PM.]</p></FONT>

http://users.interlinks.net/rebel/steel/1999.html
There you go.....that should help
Hey Dave looks like we both did it at the same time......good to see you
Tony<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Tony Davis on 05 February 2005 at 07:19 PM.]</p></FONT>

Thanks all.

I'm well aware of Ricky and Rebel's site, it's been a great help getting me started picking up intro's.

I'm more interested in learning how to back up a singer right now.

Charley Pride - In Person (Panther Hall) sounds like just what I'm looking for; unfortunately it's out of print. I'll see what I can do to track down a copy tho.


Any other suggestions for great background playing that will set a beginner in the right direction?

Do you have that great book by Scotty DeWitt on "E9th Pedal Steel backup behind a Singer"? Good book.

Take a look at the material on www.pedalsteelguitar.net. Dick Meis has some great backup material that contain some great classic Jimmie Day licks.

Here's my philosophy on how to back up a singer. Think of it as a conversation, with the singer correctly doing most of the talking.

Just as we nod our heads in spoken conversation, or say "yeah," or "uh huh," or some other short phrase to acknowledge that we're listening to the speaker and agreeing with him, so should the steel player musically comment on what the lyrics of the song are saying.

When it's our time to "speak," that is, play a solo, we should stay "on topic." Play something that augments the mood of the song, rather than play something that says "hey, listen to ME now, FORGET what the singer was just telling you."

At least that's how I look at it. Some guys like to cram a solo more fitting "Orange Blossom Special" when the rest of the band is playing "He Stopped Loving Her Today." That's not how to do it, IMHO.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

THANK YOU HERB, THANK YOU THANKIE.....MY FEELINGS EXACTLY. JUST PLAY AND SING THE SONG "CHILLIN" THAT WORKS BEST FOR EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY THE AUDIENCE, WHO IS FOOTING THE BILL...IF YOU DONT PLEASE THE CROUD, YOU DONT WORK VERY LONG, NEED TO HIRE SOMEONE THAT WILL..........JENNINGS......
WE PLAY STEEL FOR THE BEAUTIFULL ANGELIC SOUND OF IT..........

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