Steeler: Leon McAuliffe
Tune: Smooth Sailing
Label: Columbia 4-21283
Year: mid '50s.
This is probably the most "outside" piece that Leon ever wrote or played. I asked him about it at one of Scotty's Conventions, and he said it had something to do with how Eldon Shamblin would strum different combinations when he would tune his guitar. Of course that doesn't explain the Bolero towards the end!
Joe, thanks once again for putting up something that many of us might otherwise never hear. Cool tune, I kept expecting it to break into a swing. How do you think it went over at the Cimarron Ballroom?
IMHO, Leon decided to be a Band Leader which I think detracted from the potential of his Steel Guitar playing. Smart move not to remain as just a Sideman. One of his best "Rides" was on his recording of "Take It Away Leon". He was my first inspiration for Western Swing when I was still taking Hawaiian lessons.
