Any pedal steel fans here?

comfortablycurt
comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
edited March 2013 in Music & Movies
Hey everyone,


Lately, I've been developing a serious love affair with the pedal steel guitar, and I'm looking for ANY music that showcases good pedal steel playing. Rock, country, jazz...anything.


I messed around with a pedal steel a little bit a few weeks ago, and fell in love with the instrument. I fully intend on buying one as soon as I can. A new acoustic guitar comes first though...followed by some upgrades to my electric rig...after that...I'll be entering the world of steel guitars. I'll probably start with a lap steel though, before I move on to a pedal steel.

The pedal steel is just such a beautiful sounding instrument. It has a lonesome, haunting, cosmic sound to it, that totally blows my mind. I've gotta have one.


So, anyone have any suggestions for good pedal steel material? I can't afford to buy a pedal steel yet, so for now I'm gonna have to make do listening to other people tear it up on them.



I recently discovered Robert Randolph...and this guys prowess on the pedal steel absolutely blows my mind. Here's a couple good videos that showcase his talent...

The March-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqpgBcT-Lis


Robert Randolph and Rob Thomas-Voodoo Child-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kORLhZ7XO-Y&feature=related

Robert Randolph and the Family Band are actually playing at a festival I was already planning on going to this summer(Wakarusa)...so I'll be sure to get up front for his set.
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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited April 2010
    I love the pedal steel also. The sound is mesmerizing and haunting to me. I see you've discovered Robert Randolph. He's always one of my first recommendations for pedal steel. Another guy to check out is Mark Van Allen who plays for the Atlanta based New Grass band Blueground Undergrass. He has a great style that is a cross between traditional country pedal steel and less traditional jam-band style. Besides BGUG, he's played with The Allman Brothers,Government Mule, The Derrick Trucks Band, Widespread Panic, Jimmy Herring, Vasser Clements, etc. He can jam with the best of them, while at the same time be twangy and traditional when the song calls for it. His tone is awesome also. I highly recommend checking out his version of Wichita Lineman on BGUG's self titled LP. It's awesome (as is the rest of the album).

    Steve
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited April 2010
    SANTO & JOHNNY FARINA most famous for the tune Sleepwalk. Bruce Kaphan who's played with Chris Isaak, REM, The Black Crowes, Cheryl Crow and others. There are many others that are on a lot of very popular albums. Dire Straits used guest musicians that played pedal steel frequently and many of Mark Knopfler's solo albums feature it as well.
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited April 2010
    You should check out Steve Howe's pedal steel work. He uses it a lot in both his solo stuff and YES stuff. fantasic guitar work on his part. How about the "Soon" secttion of "The Gates of Delerium".

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pNm2VqLPx4&feature=related

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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,173
    edited April 2010
    I've always been moved by the sound of a steel slide guitar. Some of the older country music my parnts listened to had it and I loved those slide moments.

    Interesting sound, It even sounds like Pink Floyd and Tangerine dream style.
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • jgido759
    jgido759 Posts: 572
    edited April 2010
    Believe it or not, Doyle Grisham from Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band plays a mean pedal steel.

    "The steel guitar of Doyle Grisham can be heard on such Buffett classics as “Come Monday”, “The Great Filling Station Holdup” and many more. In 1999, Jimmy talked Doyle into going on the road and Doyle’s been touring with the band since then."

    He also played with such greats as George Jones, Reba McEntire, and Kenny Rogers.
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  • POIDOG
    POIDOG Posts: 391
    edited April 2010
    While not a true "steel guitar", from a cost standpoint, this device might be of interest to you :) Just a thought

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-Bender

    Also check out "Sneaky Pete" the Cosmic steel player

    http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/the-ballad-of-sneaky-pete-a-gu/
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  • skipf
    skipf Posts: 694
    edited April 2010
    I love some pedal steel. Some of my favorites were Buddy Cage that played with HRPS on their second lbum "Powerglide". Teir first album, New Riders of the Purple Sage featured Jerry Garcia who had just gotten into the pedal steel. I've still never heard anyone else get the sounds out of one he did. Asleep at the Wheel has a good steel player too.
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited April 2010
    I wanted to add Buddy Merrill to the list here. None of y'all probably are old enough to remember him ,but he played for years on the Lawrence Welk Show. Mr. Welk only hired exceptional musicians and Buddy could hold his own whether on steel or electric guitar.
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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,430
    edited April 2010
    Love me some Gear Daddies--"Let's Go Scare Al" and "Billy's Live Bait" are the two albums I've got. Good stuff.

    Jay
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  • NotaSuv
    NotaSuv Posts: 3,856
    edited April 2010
    Go to the roots of the pedal steel......Hawaii

    Lots of fantastic artists from the Islands
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  • POIDOG
    POIDOG Posts: 391
    edited April 2010
    agfrost wrote: »
    Love me some Gear Daddies
    Jay

    You are correct on the Gear Daddies, I have both these albums & love them,
    but have always dug the Minnesota wing of Alt Country (whatever that is :eek:) Also have Martin Zellar & The Hardways stuff (similar to the Gears)

    FYI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gear_Daddies :D
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2010
    Thanks a lot for the suggestions everyone.:)

    I've got some listening to do...I'll report back after I get my ears on some of your guys suggestions.:)
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited April 2010
    skipf wrote: »
    I love some pedal steel. Some of my favorites were Buddy Cage that played with HRPS on their second lbum "Powerglide". Teir first album, New Riders of the Purple Sage featured Jerry Garcia who had just gotten into the pedal steel. I've still never heard anyone else get the sounds out of one he did. Asleep at the Wheel has a good steel player too.

    Too true about Jerry !! Some of the sweetest pedal steel licks ever played were by Jerry Garcia on "Teach your Children" by CS&N !!!:D Commander Cody had some good steel too !
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited April 2010
    Whole bunch of good stuff on youtube.;)

    http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=pedal+steel+guitar+licks&aq=6sx
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  • Rodeo0530
    Rodeo0530 Posts: 797
    edited April 2010
    Robert Randolph and the Family band are well worth the time to go see. Was front row last year with my g/f when they came to town and we loved every second of it. If I'm having a bad day, or feeling a bit sluggish I just have to listen to some RR. Have fun when you go see them. I'm sure you will!


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  • jgido759
    jgido759 Posts: 572
    edited April 2010
    gdb wrote: »
    Some of the sweetest pedal steel licks ever played were by Jerry Garcia on "Teach your Children" by CS&N

    Wow, you learn something new everyday. I never knew that was Jerry.
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited April 2010
    I wasn't too sure how old you are ,you may not like something this old fashioned.Western Swing had a pretty big following back in the day. Check out Cindy Cashdollar who plays steel with the band Aleep At The Wheel. The thing about that old music is everybody in the band got to "take a ride" and it was great dancing music.
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2010
    gdb wrote: »
    Too true about Jerry !! Some of the sweetest pedal steel licks ever played were by Jerry Garcia on "Teach your Children" by CS&N !!!:D Commander Cody had some good steel too !

    Definitely!!

    Jerry has some incredible pedal steel. Have you ever heard the album David Crosby and Friends, If I Could Only Remember My Name?

    Check out the track "Laughing". Jerry had said many times that the pedal steel on laughing was THE BEST cut he ever recorded in a studio. That song will take you for a journey...absolutely incredible. It's full of that high lonesome, cosmic sound. An amazing cut. Unfortunately, the only youtube version of it has no audio most of the time, otherwise I'd post it here.
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  • POIDOG
    POIDOG Posts: 391
    edited April 2010
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    Definitely!! Have you ever heard the album David Crosby and Friends, If I Could Only Remember My Name? Check out the track "Laughing". Jerry had said many times that the pedal steel on laughing was THE BEST cut he ever recorded in a studio. QUOTE]

    I will chime in here, I dig that album, misunderstood, underplayed & highly respected by critics. The remaster & extended version is sweet. Overlooked at the time because of David's commercial work with CS&N.

    Check it here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012EHP42/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk4 :cool::)
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited April 2010
    Panama Red is sweet !!:D

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/recsradio/radio/B0012GMV9Y/ref=pd_krex_dp_001_001?ie=UTF8&track=001&disc=001
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited April 2010
    Pure Prairie League had some nice steel from time to time.:)

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BKROP2/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk1
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2010
    Anyone have any suggestions on the best version of Crosby's If I Could Only Remember My Name?

    I see that they have a remaster on Redbook, plus there's a dual disc set with both a Redbook and a DVD-A. I've also seen the 180g LP version.

    Which ones the best?
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2010
    Dawgfish wrote: »
    I love the pedal steel also. The sound is mesmerizing and haunting to me. I see you've discovered Robert Randolph. He's always one of my first recommendations for pedal steel. Another guy to check out is Mark Van Allen who plays for the Atlanta based New Grass band Blueground Undergrass. He has a great style that is a cross between traditional country pedal steel and less traditional jam-band style. Besides BGUG, he's played with The Allman Brothers,Government Mule, The Derrick Trucks Band, Widespread Panic, Jimmy Herring, Vasser Clements, etc. He can jam with the best of them, while at the same time be twangy and traditional when the song calls for it. His tone is awesome also. I highly recommend checking out his version of Wichita Lineman on BGUG's self titled LP. It's awesome (as is the rest of the album).

    Steve

    I just checked out some of Mark Van Allens stuff with BGUG. I'd never heard of them before...some very cool stuff! I'm diggin it! I'll definitely be checking some more of their stuff out. Thanks for the suggestion!
    headrott wrote: »
    You should check out Steve Howe's pedal steel work. He uses it a lot in both his solo stuff and YES stuff. fantasic guitar work on his part. How about the "Soon" secttion of "The Gates of Delerium".

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pNm2VqLPx4&feature=related

    Greg

    Just got done listening to this...very cool! I've never listened to Yes a whole lot...but I've always liked what I've heard. I'll have to check out some more of their stuff.
    POIDOG wrote: »
    While not a true "steel guitar", from a cost standpoint, this device might be of interest to you :) Just a thought

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-Bender

    Also check out "Sneaky Pete" the Cosmic steel player

    http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/the-ballad-of-sneaky-pete-a-gu/

    Hmm...that's an interesting device. I've never heard of it. Definitely very cool looking.

    I just checked out some Sneaky Pete...I like it!! That guy has an awesome pedal steel tone! The Cosmic description definitely fits. I'll be checking out more of their stuff. Thanks for the suggestion.:)
    skipf wrote: »
    I love some pedal steel. Some of my favorites were Buddy Cage that played with HRPS on their second lbum "Powerglide". Teir first album, New Riders of the Purple Sage featured Jerry Garcia who had just gotten into the pedal steel. I've still never heard anyone else get the sounds out of one he did. Asleep at the Wheel has a good steel player too.

    I really need to check out more of the New Riders stuff with Jerry. The Dead are my favorite band basically...and I'm of the opinion that Jerry is the greatest musician that's ever graced this world. The little bit that I've heard of their stuff has really impressed me. Jerry just has such an incredible sound, that no one has ever matched. Not to say that he's necessarily the best pedal steel player ever...because he's not, but he's one of the most unique, and definitely one of my favorites. Now, if we're talking 6 string guitar, Jerry is hands down my favorite of all time.;)
    agfrost wrote: »
    Love me some Gear Daddies--"Let's Go Scare Al" and "Billy's Live Bait" are the two albums I've got. Good stuff.

    Jay
    POIDOG wrote: »
    You are correct on the Gear Daddies, I have both these albums & love them,
    but have always dug the Minnesota wing of Alt Country (whatever that is :eek:) Also have Martin Zellar & The Hardways stuff (similar to the Gears)

    FYI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gear_Daddies :D

    Thanks for the Gear Daddies suggestion...I just checked out a few of their songs. Very cool!
    gdb wrote: »
    Whole bunch of good stuff on youtube.;)

    http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=pedal+steel+guitar+licks&aq=6sx


    Yep, I've been watching a LOT of pedal steel videos on there lately.
    Rodeo0530 wrote: »
    Robert Randolph and the Family band are well worth the time to go see. Was front row last year with my g/f when they came to town and we loved every second of it. If I'm having a bad day, or feeling a bit sluggish I just have to listen to some RR. Have fun when you go see them. I'm sure you will!


    Awesome! I'm really looking forward to seeing them this summer! I don't know how I've gone all this time without discovering him...I'm really digging his style.

    Here's the festival that I'm going to see him at...

    http://www.wakarusa.com/


    Lots of other good bands there too, but Robert Randolph is the one I'll be looking forward to most there.:) Seeing this guy play pedal steel, even on video, has changed my life. Seriously.

    My new greatest ambition in life is to get a pedal steel guitar and learn how to tear it up on it. I've been playing 6 string(both acoustic and electric) for about 14 years now...so I think it's time for me to pick up another instrument.

    I think it's going to be a gradual transition though. I'll likely get a lap steel before I get a pedal steel. That'll make for a good introduction to steel guitar,without throwing the pedals and knee levers in right away.

    Before any of that though, my acoustic needs to be replaced with a nicer one, and I've gotta build myself a new electric rig. The amps/effects that I get for my new electric rig are definitely going to be purchased with the future addition of a lap steel and pedal steel in mind.

    I can't wait.
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2010
    POIDOG wrote: »

    I will chime in here, I dig that album, misunderstood, underplayed & highly respected by critics. The remaster & extended version is sweet. Overlooked at the time because of David's commercial work with CS&N.

    Check it here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012EHP42/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk4 :cool::)

    Definitely! That is an incredible album. If there was one album that could basically sum up the entire San Francisco music scene in the 60's and 70's, it would be If I Could Only Remember My Name. The talent and guest musicians on that album are absolutely stunning. It's definitely some of the most incredible music that's ever been recorded. I could only imagine how incredible some of the jams during those sessions were...too bad most of them were never recorded or documented.

    Somehow, I have never owned If I Could Only Remember My Name. I've heard most of it...but not all. I've never gotten to listen to it on my rig. That's probably going to be the next album I pick up...I just don't know which version I should pick up. The Redbook/DVD-A 2 disc set...or the 180g LP? Decisions decisions...
    gdb wrote: »
    Panama Red is sweet !!:D

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/recsradio/radio/B0012GMV9Y/ref=pd_krex_dp_001_001?ie=UTF8&track=001&disc=001

    That's awesome!! I've never heard that one. I seriously need to get some New Riders albums that had Jerry in them. I've never heard much of it...and I really need to.
    gdb wrote: »
    Pure Prairie League had some nice steel from time to time.:)

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BKROP2/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk1

    Good stuff!! It's got that great country swingin' kinda tone to it. Thanks for the suggestion!!
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  • POIDOG
    POIDOG Posts: 391
    edited May 2010
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    If I Could Only Remember My Name. I've heard most of it...but not all. I've never gotten to listen to it on my rig. That's probably going to be the next album I pick up...I just don't know which version I should pick up. The Redbook/DVD-A 2 disc set...or the 180g LP? Decisions decisions...

    The redbook is nice because of the added song, the DVD-A, you watch once & wonder :eek:

    Not to overload the subject, but if you like the LA/SF fusion, you might like this one, many of the same players as Crosby's, not so much steel playing,
    but interesting none the less. What in the day was called "head music" :)

    http://www.amazon.com/Blows-Against-Empire-Paul-Kantner/dp/B000AADYUI/ref=pd_sim_m_6
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  • POIDOG
    POIDOG Posts: 391
    edited May 2010
    FYI, Check this site for copies of "If I Could Only....

    http://store.acousticsounds.com/index.cfm?get=results&categoryid=Any&searchField=Artist&searchtext=david+crosby&search.x=4&search.y=4
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  • bigaltx24
    bigaltx24 Posts: 141
    edited May 2010
    Listen to Jamey Johnson's album That Lonesome Song. I'm not a big Country fan but I love this album. The guy is immensely talented and his work on this album is as heartfelt and real as anything I've heard in a long time. Cowboy Eddie Long plays steel guitar. His playing on this album is spot on, but what really floors me is his interplay with the electric guitars, great stuff.
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited March 2012
    Cal hand ain't no slacker.....Oh yeah Leo's good too.:lol:

    <iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_mZuu2ZDTsE&quot; frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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  • sda2mike
    sda2mike Posts: 3,131
    edited March 2012
    david gilmour plays some good trippy pedal steel...check out the new remastered package of wish you were here..there's a 1974 live cut of 'shine on you crazy diamond'...3/4 of the way in, dave takes a solo on the pedal steel...dark, scary and spine-tingling...it's a great moment..
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited March 2012
    Thanks, i'll def check it out !:biggrin:
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