The Steel Guitar Forum

Years ago, many of the olde timey steel guitar players, way back in the olden days, prior to the 1980's......
could and DID play the styles of many of the other top steel guitar players of the day.
Billy Robinson comes to mind as one of the all time greats at impersonating others but he always maintained his OWN identifiable style and BIGSBY TONE.
Howard White was another that in addition to his own works, could play and sound a host of other top drawer steel guitarists of that day.
On this tune "RIVER of TEARS", a King release of the early 1950's with vocals by the York Brothers, some steadfastly believe that it is the Great One, JERRY BYRD.
With my years of fine tuning my ears for those little this and that's that Jerry has become famous for, I believe it is one of the great imposters. GREAT TONE! NICE TOUCH! But some very obvious things that Jerry Byrd would NEVER HAVE DONE.
Why don't you fine tune your ears and let me know what you think. The flip side of this old record is: Tennessee Tango. That steel man is definitely not JERRY BYRD. http://www.jerrybyrdfanclub.com/AboutRay/River%20of%20Tears.mp3

http://www.jerrybyrdfanclub.com/Music/River%20of%20Tears.mp3

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<font size=1>Drew Howard - website - Fessenden, Derby and Fender guitars, 70's Fender Twin, etc.</font>

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Drew Howard on 10 October 2006 at 06:25 PM.]</p></FONT>

Hey Ray, I haven't heard anybody mention the York Brothers in ages.

Do you know if their records are available anywhere? I'm especially interested in picking up a re-mastered CD copy of their version of "Look Before You Leap."

Bill:

There are two York Brothers CDs available as far as I know. Both are imports, but can be had from US sources. Neither contains "Look Before You Leap".

http://www.collectorrecords.nl/index.php?page=shop&action=showcd&id=108
http://www.dagmar-anita-binge.de/ccd251-252.htm

16 country hits from the 1940's
King records.
I bought mine on Amazon.
Has The York Brothers with River of Tears
and a lot more good ones.

If I was a betting man, I would bet the steel is Billy Robinson, judging by the way it sounds like a great slant at the end of the intro and turn around.

Gere

Don Davis was another Jerry Bird play alike of older songs from Nashville during the 40s and 50s ERA.