Essential steel albums

David Guiterrez · Post by **David Guiterrez** » 10 Oct 2006 11:34 am

I tried to post this earlier, so forgive any duplicates.

I'm still relatively new to playing steel, and was wondering if you all might make some suggestions on essential albums from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. I'm still finding it difficult to find the best albums to listen to for steel playing!

Ricky Thibodeaux · Post by **Ricky Thibodeaux** » 10 Oct 2006 11:55 am

Most any country music from the 60's had lots of steel. Johnny Bush,George Jones,Wynn Stewart,Conway Twitty,the list goes on. Anyone in particular that you are looking for?

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David Guiterrez · Post by **David Guiterrez** » 10 Oct 2006 12:03 pm

I don't know enough to be specific, that's why I thought folks might suggest thier "essential listening" recommendations.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 10 Oct 2006 12:17 pm

"Emmons Guitar, Inc." by Buddy Emmons
"Revisited" by Lloyd Green

Jim Hankins · Post by **Jim Hankins** » 10 Oct 2006 12:31 pm

David, another one that stands out is: Jimmy Day, Golden Steel Guitar Hits, and Steel and Strings, both from the early 60s...classic stuff. I say "one" because they are put togeather on 1 CD.

Stephen Dorocke · Post by **Stephen Dorocke** » 10 Oct 2006 12:36 pm

"Steel and Strings"-- Jimmy Day
Any Buck Owens w/ Tom Brumley
60's Johnny Paycheck w/ Lloyd Green
Flying Burrito Bros w/ Sneaky Pete
....that's just a few for starters..

Rob van Duuren · Post by **Rob van Duuren** » 10 Oct 2006 1:41 pm

Charley Pride, live at Panther Hall/ Lloyd Green
George Jones, Live at Dancetown USA/ Buddy Emmons
Gram Parsons& the Fallen Angels live 1973/ Neil Flanz.
These are all great recordings, my favourites. Rob

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 10 Oct 2006 6:37 pm

David G., we need a hint about what type of steel music you want to hear. In the years you mentioned there was great steel in multiple genres: classic Nashville country, Western swing, country-rock, modern jazz, and Hawaiian, even some rock-pop (I was inspired by BJ Cole's pedal steel on Elton John's "Tiny Dancer"). Also, there is steel music for the general listener backing singers or groups in all the above genres. This is the bread and butter of steel playing, and so will teach you how to play backup; and some of it will be simple enough for you to have a chance at understanding it and being able to attempt to duplicate it (not all of it, but some of it). Then there are solo steel albums for players and steel afficionados. These provide some great music, and inspiration, but can be intimidating in their complexity and virtuosity. If you want all of the above, then we just need to break it down for you by categories, and you can pick some from each category.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 10 Oct 2006 6:54 pm

Here's another thread with some good lists:
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum15/HTML/005434.html

George Rout · Post by **George Rout** » 12 Oct 2006 6:35 pm

I remember Guitar Player mag for their 20th anniversary issue, listed the twenty best this and that including what they considered the best steel. They weren't pure all steel albums, included one by Poco, Roger Miller, etc, those that highlighted the plaers best (in their opinion). Being compulsive, I went and bought all the ones I didn't have, but there was one or two that were out of print!!! That must be 15 or so years ago.

EDIT-I just looked it up on Google, it was Jan 1987.
Geo[This message was edited by George Rout on 12 October 2006 at 07:39 PM.]

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 12 Oct 2006 6:44 pm

"Country Dance Time" by the Texas Troubadors w/out Earnest T.

Oh Yeah....the great Buddy Charleton on steel. [This message was edited by Rick Schmidt on 12 October 2006 at 07:51 PM.]

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 12 Oct 2006 9:53 pm

Without knowing you genre of choice,
it is hard to give suggestions.

But, Bobby Lee's two above fit perfectly.

And from what I have heard Charlie Pride Panther Hall is also,
But I have not found a copy for myself...

To go out of standard genre;

Cindy Cashdollar's album is breathtaking,
while not pedal oriented it is a must for
my best of collection.

Dan Tyack's Blackened Toast is awesome, always in rotation.

David Ristrim's Crisis at the Theme Park
is totally different and totally awesome.

Frank Roger's semi-released album is killer.

Al Vescovo is killer; both albums I have heard.

Dicky Overby with Jake Hooker is awesome.
Dicky is a true original. Jake a faithful traditionalist.

Pretty much any album with Buddy Emmons
is something you should have.

Nathan Hernandez · Post by **Nathan Hernandez** » 13 Oct 2006 6:07 am

Brisbane Bop for sure(Vance Terry),,,,, with out a doubt, and the Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant stuff! The Ray Price stuff from the late 50's early 60's has both Buddy Emmons and Jimmy Day. Buck Owens stuff from the 60's and Wynn Stewrert(youll get Ralph Mooney and Tom Brumley). Jerry Byrd!!!!!! and on and on!!! Any thing from forum members solo recordings!!!!! Theres to much to ever list!!!!!

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 14 Oct 2006 8:09 am

I did this thread too when i first started. I was surprised people couldnt really give me a "top ten". The only albums that people seem to agree on are WAY out of print (Panther Hall, Redneck Jazz Explosion, etc.)
Its odd. The good news is the $1 record bins are just loaded with steely chestnuts. You can score the entire Poco catalog for a handful of quarters. The library is the spot too. Go online and reserve everything by Buck Owens, Conway Twitty, Ray Price, Merle Haggard, George Jones, etc.

My favorite album with some tasty steel by Jaydee Maness is:
"Bakersfield Bound"-Chris Hillman and Herb Pederson

LOVE that album!!!!

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 14 Oct 2006 8:18 am

"Bakersfield Bound".... absolutely!

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 14 Oct 2006 2:20 pm

Broadway show tunes: "West Side Story" - Mike Perlowin
20th century classical: "Firebird Suite" - Mike Perlowin
Classical Indian ragas: "Calcutta Slide Guitar" - Debashish Bhattacharya
New Orleans swamp rock: -"Blackened Toast" - Dan Tyack
Instrumental 70's rock, kick-ass edition: "Crisis at the Theme Park" - Dave Ristrim
Instrumental 70's rock, smooth edition: "All Hat, No Cattle" - Joe Goldmark
Classical (bebop) jazz: "Jazz by Jernigan" - Doug Jernigan
Classical (cool) jazz: "Finally Here" - Jim Cohen
Progressive surf, cool edition: "In The Dark" - the Vanduras (Gary Brandin)
Progressive surf, hot edition: "Danger High" - Double Naught Spy Car (Paul Laques)
Progressive jazz, cool edition: "Around About Now" - Jack West and Curvature (David Phillips)
Progressive jazz, hot edition: "3now4" - Dave Easley
Ambient, hot(?) edition: "Slider" - Bruce Kaphan
Ambient, cool edition: "Uma" - Susan Alcorn

This is a good start on the non-country side of things - did you know that there are many, many things available here, through b0b? Including many of the above: http://pedalsteelmusic.com/music.html

Mike Shefrin · Post by **Mike Shefrin** » 14 Oct 2006 2:38 pm

The Byrds "Sweetheart of the Rodeo"[This message was edited by Mike Shefrin on 16 November 2006 at 07:23 PM.]

Lem Smith · Post by **Lem Smith** » 14 Oct 2006 9:29 pm

"Ten shades of green" by Lloyd Green.
Also any recordings made by John Hughey or Hal Rugg. I also agree with b0b on the two that he suggested.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 14 Oct 2006 10:25 pm

I'll second these also :
All the below I have and would
feel diminished if they disapeared.

Broadway show tunes: "West Side Story" - Mike Perlowin
I think of this less as "show tunes" and more as
classical music melded with jazz,
brought in to support a fine libreto of
Romeo And Juliet set in more modern times.
Mikes version is quite original, and done with permesion of the Bernstein estate.

Classical (bebop) jazz: "Jazz by Jernigan" - Doug Jernigan
Doug is smokin'!

Classical (cool) jazz: "Finally Here" - Jim Cohen
Jim has great tone and great taste. A fine eclectic grouping of musics.

Ambient, hot(?) edition: "Slider" - Bruce Kaphan
Solid, fast and tasty too.

And add The Time Jumpers Live at Station Inn
with Johhny Cox's fine playing, and a REALLY fun band.

And the complete Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant
These guys were astounding for their day,
and really played off each other supurbly.

The music isn't where music has gone to,
but they charted a unique path of were it
MIGHT have gone.
Jimmy Bryant IS still heard in most country pickers in the same way as Travis.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 14 October 2006 at 11:32 PM.]

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 14 Oct 2006 11:11 pm

I would add Paul Frankin's "Play By Play" and "Christmas Collection". "Minors Allowed" by Buddy Emmons" and Lenny Breau, everything Curly Chalker ever recorded, and 'Universal Direction" and the 2 CDs of reissues from the 70s (particularly volume 2) by Maurice Anderson.

Thanks to Dave Mason and David Donald for including my CDs in this list.

West Side Story is considered to be both broadway show music and Classical music. And while it's not true jazz, there is a great deal if jazz influence in it. Bernstein did play jazz even though he's not really known for it, and incorporated many jazz elements when he write the score.

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 15 Oct 2006 12:29 am

John Hughey/On and off stage
Buddy Emmons /Steel Guitar (on Flying Fish)
Buddy Emmons/Emmons Guitar, Inc
Lloyd Green/Lloyd's of Nashville
Lloyd Green/Ten shades of green
Bob Lucier/11 favorites

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´75 Emmons p/p D10 8+4, ca '72 AWH Custom D10 8+3, Hybrid Zum coming soon, Peavey Nashville 1000

Jeff Lampert · Post by **Jeff Lampert** » 15 Oct 2006 3:25 am

Ten shades of green" by Lloyd Green

IMHO, the best E9 album ever made. Impossible to describe how exquisite it is.

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Jeff's Jazz

Mike Wolfenbarger · Post by **Mike Wolfenbarger** » 15 Oct 2006 12:19 pm

I'm so glad that someone finally picked "Lloyd's Of Nashville". With all of the steel albums that I have, this may be my favorite, even after all this time. Everyone knows Lloyd's taste, touch and tone are legendary, but this album answered the question of whether or not he can pick- he can!!!!!!

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Mike
Pro-III (a lot)
Vegas 400
Evans

Mike Shefrin · Post by **Mike Shefrin** » 16 Oct 2006 11:33 am

this album answered the question of whether or not he can pick

Was there ever any doubt? Lloyd has always been one of the best pickers on the planet.
By the way, Mike, no offense intended. I know what you mean. If one has not heard this album, they might not be aware of how well Lloyd can pick. Lloyds of Nashville is a great record and one of my favorites also.

[This message was edited by Mike Shefrin on 24 October 2006 at 04:29 PM.]

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 16 Oct 2006 12:21 pm

Here are a few that I would highly recommend, though they may be somewhat hard to locate now, any of them would be good for you to give a listen:

Ten Shades of Green by Lloyd Green
Emmons Inc. by Buddy Emmons
Steel and Strings by Jimmy Day
Steel Trek by Bob White
Sky High Steel by Doug Jernigan
More Ways to Play by Curly Chalker
Revisted by Lloyd Green
Tom Cattin' by Tom Brumley
Moods of Maurice Anderson by Reece Anderson
Universal Direction by Maurice Anderson
The Jet Age by Julian Tharpe
Deep Feelings by Julian Tharpe
On and Off Stage by John Hughey
Ton of Steel by Jimmy Crawford

Don't limit yourself to listening to just one or two players. Some of these players styles take a while to grow on you but they all had something worthwhile to play on the steel guitar.

Terry Wood