The Steel Guitar Forum

As a new player I am trying to listen to as many of the masters (and todays greats) as I can. However, I prefer PSG in the context of a song as opposed to an album of PSG instrumentals (I think i just dont care for instrumentals as much, they just dont move me as much as lyrical content does). While it is easy to track down solo albums by "the masters" it has been much more difficult for me to find out which albums they played on where they are not the featured artist. I've searched here and googled for some info, some players have good bios/discographies..most do not...but I thought I'd just go ahead and ask you what are your 5 favorite albums with PSG where the PSG is not the main instrument? (they need not be from the masters, maybe one of todays players is on your top 5 list) Thanks.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Ben Jones on 24 January 2006 at 01:44 PM.]</p></FONT>

Ben,

You might want this:
http://www.globerecords.com/cgi-bin/db/search.cgi?specific=itemno&phrase=INTSTEEL&file=focus

I'm also very new at PSG, and while I like instrumentals I also tend to go for the PSG backings and fills on Songs.
Just recently got more into Country so just a small personal list that got me started.

My list:
Dire Straits - On the night (Paul Franklin) I attended that concert, changed me from a Mark Knopfler fan to a Paul Franklin fan.
Brad Paisley - Mud on the tires (Randel Currie)
Brad Paisley - Time well wasted (Randel Currie, Michael Johnson)

NRPS - Adventures of Panama Red.
Judy Collins - Who Knows Where the Time Go's
Byrds - Sweetheart of the Rodeo
Desert Rose Band - Any album
FBB - Any album.
Rick Nelson - Rudy the 5th.
That's 6 off the top of my head!
JE:-)>

------------------
Emmons D10 8/4 P/P -75'
Fessenden SD-10 3/5
MSA SD-12 4/4 - 76'
76'Session 400
86'Nashville 400
Bandit 112

Good observation Ben,
Check out Ricky Skaggs', "Highways & Heartches" for some great pedal steel as part of a "band". (Bruce Bouton on PSG)
And I must whole heartedly agree with Jim E's list above, all killer.
I would add Poco, "Deliverin'" with Rusty Young on PSG. <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by John Ummel on 24 January 2006 at 02:44 PM.]</p></FONT>

I second both those too!!!!
JE:-)>

cool! thanks guys.

Highways and Heartaches and Sweetheart of the Rodeo are actully waiting for me to pick up from the library! So I will be hearing those soon for sure

You might also want to check out Rodney Crowell's Diamonds & Dirt (great Paul Franklin steel) and Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen's "Bakersfield Bound" (Jay Dee Maness on steel).

LP Records and CDs to add to what was given above:

"Night Life" and "Love Life", Ray Price, I assume Buddy Emmons on steel

"Charlie Pride In Person" (Live at Panther Hall) - Lloyd Green on Steel

"Waylon Live" (original on vinyl, but 2-CD Expanded edition is huge and amazing) - Ralph Mooney on steel

"Carnegie Hall Concert", Buck Owens - Tom Brumley on steel

A real nice recent record is Linda Lay's Cracker Barrel CD - Ricky Davis on steel

Ben, it's worth getting the "legacy edition" of "Sweetheart" if your library doesn't have it.

If you like that try:

Johnny Paycheck - On His Way - Lloyd Green
Uncle Tupelo - Anodyne - Lloyd Maines on 3 cuts
Bob Dylan - Nashville Skyline - Pete Drake
Jackson Browne - For Everyman - Sneaky Pete
Neil Young - Tonight's The Night - Ben Keith

Good stuff being mentioned here, and here's a couple more that shouldn't be overlooked...

Older stuff:

-Gram Parsons
-The Flying Burrito Brothers

Newer stuff:

-Ryan Adams and the Cardinals
-The Only Children
-The Sadies!!!

I also have a good friend who plays steel in a local band here, they are pretty good.

Visit www.theannuals.com

Anything by Moe Bandy from 1973–1981. Lots of really slick steel work by Weldon Myrick on all of them.

Anything by Mel Street – Lloyd Green at his best.

Any seventies stuff with Gary Stewart (usually Weldon on these as well)

Any Asleep at the Wheel album with Lucky Oceans - he has an unimitable, really cool style

Darrell McCall's "LIly Dale" (1977) ,
"Ray Price and the Cherokee Cowboys reunited" (1977),
Buddy Emmons sings Bob Wills (1977?)
– three albums with Buddy at his very best.


------------------
´75 Emmons p/p D10 8+4, '96 Emmons Legrande II D10 8+5, ca '72 AWH Custom D10 8+3, Peavey Nashville 1000

Ben, I used to prefer PSG in the context of a song as apposed to solo albums. But as time went on, I discovered some unbelievable instrumental albums featuring steel. If you are into Jazz at all, get S'wonderfull and Doug & Bucky (Jernigan at his finest) as well as Emmons Flying Fish album, and Buddies etc.
When I first started playing steel, I used to go to Tower records (back when they had actual Lp's) and read the musician credits on the back. If it had a steel player, I would buy it. It's too bad Cd artwork doesn't have enough room to have that on the back, oh well.
Keep at it,
Dave

Justin Trevino with Dickey Overby on steel.

My new favorite is "Operation: Russless", Laney Hicks and eleven of the greatest steelers.

------------------
Wish I'd learned lap steel when I still had a lap.

great suggestions, exactly what i was looking for. Than you all so much. i am printing out a list.

...forgot some:

"Fiddlin' Frenchie Burke" with a very young, red hot Robbie Springfield (20th Century, 1975). Burke's "Knock knock" on Cherry records, 1978, is just as good.

Amber Digby's debut album with Dicky Overby. Push-pull steel overdose warning!

Red Steagall "Lone Star beer and Bob Wills music" ABC Dot 1976. Neck-breaking, crying, swinging steel by Sonny Garrish

Prairie Oyster's "Everybody knows". Dennis Delorme deserves lots more recognition!

...and a Benny Martin album on Flying Fish, mid seventies, can't recall the name right now – Buddy E playing bluegrass on steel, and it really works!

------------------
´75 Emmons p/p D10 8+4, '96 Emmons Legrande II D10 8+5, ca '72 AWH Custom D10 8+3, Peavey Nashville 1000


<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Per Berner on 25 January 2006 at 07:10 AM.]</p></FONT>

Any early Buck Owens LP's for their Ralph Mooney and Tom Brumley artistry.

Did anyone mention Roger Miller's "A Trip to the Country" with Buddy Emmons on steel?

<font size=1>(... or Beats Walkin', for that matter? )

"Don't Rock the Jukebox" -Alan Jackson, was the one that really popped my cherry. Actually most of AJ's material features the stylings of Mr. Franklin. Brooks & Dunn's early stuff, especially their first release, "Brand New Man." Bruce Bouton on that, I think. Could have been Mike Johnson, I don't have it front of me.

All of Brad Paisley's, Dierks Bently's, and Joe Nichols' material for newer releases. Bently's second album, "Modern Day Drifter," has Gary Morse with that classic Sho~Bud tone, they really let him shine on several of those cuts. The list of steelers on Nichols' third album reads like an all-star game lineup. Of course with Paisley and Currie on the same stage, I'm supprised they haven't gone to liquid cooled guitars...

There was all kinds of great stuff in the early to mid 90's. Almost anything from that era by folks like Tracy Byrd, Mark Chesnut, Dwight Yoakam and Joe Diffie, to name a few, have killer steel tracks. Even Garth (ducking for cover), and can't forget King George either, the "Pure Country" soundtrack had some GREAT stuff (Mr. Emmons, I think).

Also check out allmusic.com for album credits of your favorite pickers. (I see they now require you to register to view the credits)

Gulp. Here goes. Many of Emmy Lou Harris' albums.
TRIO. Vinyl of Emmy Lou, Dolly, and Linda Rondstat.
Judy Collins. with Mr. Emmons at the steel.
"May I have This Dance?"
Just about all Connie Smith, Ray Price, Asleep at the Wheel, albums.

Newer stuff:
Bobby Flores. 2 new killer albums. Superb steel fills and rides.
Justin Trevino. Texas music with great steel work.
Heather Myles.

I'll stop for now

The first one that pops into my mind is "Renegade Picker" by Steve Young. Buddy Emmons just reaches inside your brain and takes over your mind on this album.

Most albums by Conway Twitty.

Oh, and another vote for any Mel Street album. And of course, any Gene Watson album.

------------------
Carter D10 9p/9k, NV400, Korg Triton Le88 Synth, Korg CX-3 organ, Yamaha Motif Rack Module, Regal Dobro, Tele, Gretsch Acoustic.

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Richard Sinkler on 25 January 2006 at 09:11 PM.]</p></FONT>

In slightly different genres:

Alejandro Escavedo: A Man Under The Influence (Eric Heywood)

Son Volt: Trace (Eric Heywood)

Martina McBride: Timeless (Paul Franklin)

Japancakes: Waking Hour

Calexico: [any album]

For older older music I would highly recommend the Essential Carl Smith CD with Johnny Siebert on steel.

I also second Charley Pride at Panther Hall and Nightlife as essential albums with steel in the regular song context.

I just had to say I have listened to some of this stuff now and am completely blown away. THANK YOU.