The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic Appreciating the great Pete Drake
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Appreciating the great Pete Drake
Gary Hoetker

 

From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 7 Aug 2017 6:44 am    
Reply with quote

In reading the various posts on this Forum for the past 20 years or so, I don't recall Pete Drake being mentioned favorably to the other recognized pedal steel giants like Emmons, Green, Mooney, to name a few. Yet I find Pete to perhaps be the most versatile and innovative of all of them
from purely a listening and melodic standpoint. Maybe that's why he was a much sought after session player. His turnaround on Conway Twitty's Decca recording "Together Forever" circa 1966 posted below might be one of the most beautiful ever. Thanks Pete. You were/are AWESOME !!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjhDMnNt4XE
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Tom Quinn


Post  Posted 7 Aug 2017 9:17 am    
Reply with quote

You are right Gary. Here's a better copy of the song without the distortion:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-Tpo7guol0
_________________
I need an Emmons!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Gary Hoetker

 

From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 7 Aug 2017 9:26 am    
Reply with quote

Thank you Tom for posting the better one.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

scott murray


From:
Asheville, NC
Post  Posted 7 Aug 2017 9:45 am    
Reply with quote

I think quite a few of us are in awe of much of Pete's work, and the extra care he took to give so many records a unique, even customized sound.

Paul Franklin in particular speaks very reverently of Pete. he was never too flashy, just the consummate studio pro who served the artist and the song as best he could. he was also one of the kindest and most nurturing figures in Nashville by all accounts.

if all he'd ever played was Tammy Wynette's version of Apartment No.9, that would be enough for me. what an iconic and beautiful sound.
_________________
1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster


Last edited by scott murray on 7 Aug 2017 11:44 am; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Gary Hoetker

 

From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 7 Aug 2017 10:04 am    
Reply with quote

Thank you Tom for posting the better one.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Damir Besic


From:
Nashville,TN.
Post  Posted 7 Aug 2017 12:59 pm    
Reply with quote

some of my favorite steel playing was done on George Jones recordings , and I always thought it was done by Buddy Emmons , only to find out just recently that all that playing I loved so much, and was influenced by, was done by no other but Pete Drake, my whole life I loved his music, but didn't even know it was him who was playing it....
_________________
https://steelguitarsonline.com/
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Cartwright Thompson


Post  Posted 7 Aug 2017 1:08 pm    
Reply with quote

I always loved the story about Pete and Buddy and the wad of $100 bills...
I also love this tune and have never been able to totally figure it out:
https://youtu.be/RMwR1kXuGzk
View user's profile Send private message

scott murray


From:
Asheville, NC
Post  Posted 7 Aug 2017 1:52 pm    
Reply with quote

cool tune Cartwright and nice tone.

seems more than a little influenced by Buddy's performance on Night Life, and was released just a year later.

the 100 dollar bill story is a good one but I think Buddy claimed it never happened. Buddy also said he came up with the "talking" steel guitar effect but had no use for it. Pete took it and ran.
_________________
1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Per Berner


From:
Skövde, Sweden
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2017 4:12 am    
Reply with quote

If any pedal steel player ever had a unique, instantly recognizable sound, it was Pete Drake. Some say his playing was a bit weird and rather simple, the same few licks over and over – but I like that style, especially his use of the volume pedal. His sound was an integral part of so many 70s hits – George Jones, Tanya Tucker's Columbia recordings, and so many others. Billie Jo Spears? Early John Anderson stuff? The late great Billy Sherrill seemed to employ Pete on all the stuff he produced.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Glenn Suchan

 

From:
Austin, Texas
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2017 4:37 am    
Reply with quote

One of my favorite songs, as well as favorite examples of steel accompaniment by Pete Drake:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj0pX2lB6mg

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn
_________________
Steelin' for Jesus
View user's profile Send private message

scott murray


From:
Asheville, NC
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2017 5:11 am    
Reply with quote

Damir Besic wrote:
some of my favorite steel playing was done on George Jones recordings , and I always thought it was done by Buddy Emmons , only to find out just recently that all that playing I loved so much, and was influenced by, was done by no other but Pete Drake, my whole life I loved his music, but didn't even know it was him who was playing it....


Buddy did play on some George Jones recordings, mostly in the 60s before heading to LA
_________________
1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Damir Besic


From:
Nashville,TN.
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2017 5:15 am    
Reply with quote

scott murray wrote:
Damir Besic wrote:
some of my favorite steel playing was done on George Jones recordings , and I always thought it was done by Buddy Emmons , only to find out just recently that all that playing I loved so much, and was influenced by, was done by no other but Pete Drake, my whole life I loved his music, but didn't even know it was him who was playing it....


Buddy did play on some George Jones recordings, mostly in the 60s before heading to LA


yes, and Lloyd played on some as well, but the playing (like on He stopped loving her today) I fell in love with was all Pete ... when I talk about "crying steel guitar' that is what Im thinking of ...
_________________
https://steelguitarsonline.com/
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Mark van Allen


From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2017 8:55 am    
Reply with quote

And another… "Lay Lady Lay" by Dylan from Nashville Skyline. Simple… Iconic.
_________________
Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com
www.musicfarmstudio.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Mark van Allen


From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2017 9:02 am    
Reply with quote

And another… "Lay Lady Lay" by Dylan from Nashville Skyline. Simple… Iconic.
_________________
Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com
www.musicfarmstudio.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Brint Hannay

 

From:
Maryland, USA
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2017 9:07 am    
Reply with quote

Damir Besic wrote:
the playing (like on He stopped loving her today) I fell in love with was all Pete ... when I talk about "crying steel guitar' that is what Im thinking of ...

Wow, just the other day hearing it on Willie's Roadhouse I was wondering who that was on "He Stopped Loving Her Today". I never would have guessed Pete Drake!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Rick Abbott

 

From:
Indiana, USA
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2017 11:29 am    
Reply with quote

I had the same experience with Pete Drake. I had his sound etched into my mind and am deeply influenced by him and didn't know it was him! One day I put on some youtube videos of him and was astounded to hear him playing the way I try to play. Blew my mind. He is the sound of popular pedal steel.
_________________
RICK ABBOTT
Sho~Bud D-10 Professional #7962
Remington T-8, Wakarusa 5e3 clone
1953 Stromberg-Carlson AU-35
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2017 2:00 pm    
Reply with quote

Pete using is the "talking" effect (pioneered by Alvino Rey) at Owen Bradley's "Quonset Hut" studio. Mid 1960s?


_________________
Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Mike Holder


From:
Alabama! Home of the great “Don Helms” & his singer “Hank Williams”!
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2017 6:00 pm    
Reply with quote

Not to mention his great playing on Dylan's "Nashville Skyline" and my all time favorite "All Things Must Pass" by George Harrison,..so cool!
_________________
I thought Nashville was the roughest, but I know I’ve said the same about them all.
I received my education, drivin through the Nation listenin to Paul!.. ( Franklin that is! )
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

David Gertschen

 

From:
Phoenix, Arizona
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2017 6:25 pm    
Reply with quote

Great old pic, Andy. I wonder what the gun-barrel like tube thing is in front of the microphone?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Glenn Suchan

 

From:
Austin, Texas
Post  Posted 9 Aug 2017 5:25 am    
Reply with quote

Pete pushin' tha boundary in 1968 with blues guitarist Harvey Mandel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouTPcV54qlw

and in 1971 with iconic progressive folk/old timey band, The Holy Modal Rounders:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNS6MXg-umQ

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn
_________________
Steelin' for Jesus


Last edited by Glenn Suchan on 9 Aug 2017 5:36 am; edited 2 times in total
View user's profile Send private message

Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 9 Aug 2017 5:34 am    
Reply with quote

David, it's called a "Talk Box" ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk_box
_________________
Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Brint Hannay

 

From:
Maryland, USA
Post  Posted 9 Aug 2017 9:25 am    
Reply with quote

I think maybe David was referring to the thing that looks like a bazooka pointed at Pete.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Mike Holder


From:
Alabama! Home of the great “Don Helms” & his singer “Hank Williams”!
Post  Posted 9 Aug 2017 3:58 pm    
Reply with quote

I had most f Mandel's records, forgot he had Pete on that cut but do remember it was the first time I heard Freddie Roulette on his Snake album on a track called Levitation...my world changed that day.
_________________
I thought Nashville was the roughest, but I know I’ve said the same about them all.
I received my education, drivin through the Nation listenin to Paul!.. ( Franklin that is! )
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

David Gertschen

 

From:
Phoenix, Arizona
Post  Posted 9 Aug 2017 6:55 pm    
Reply with quote

Right you are, Brint!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 10 Aug 2017 5:22 am    
Reply with quote

Doh!
_________________
Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  

Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction,
steel guitars & accessories

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

Please review our Forum Rules and Policies

Steel Guitar Forum LLC
PO Box 237
Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA


Click Here to Send a Donation

Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for
Band-in-a-Box

by Jim Baron
HTTP