Chalker's "Danny Boy"

Tom Bradshaw · Post by **Tom Bradshaw** » 1 Jul 2004 11:11 am

I posted this on the Tablature Topic, but thought it might be seen by more people on this thread.

I have been told that in one of my old Steel Guitar Cassette Club Newsletters, that the tab for "Danny Boy" was printed (as Curly Chalker played it on one of his albums). I can't remember. So, if anyone has copies of those Newsletters could you advise me if this is true (by E-mail)? I have a friend who wants this tab. I now can't find any copies of those old Newsletters. I believe there were only 4 editions of them. ...Tom

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 1 Jul 2004 11:51 am

Everytime I hear a steel player do "Danny Boy" I have to think of Mr. Chalkers version. Never have I ever heard such an incredible version as his. It has kept me from playing this song for years. Curly truly mastered this composition. (as he did "The Shadow of Your Smile" and many others. But, "Danny Boy" really stands out.
What a true musical monster.
Thanks Tom,
bobbe

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 1 Jul 2004 12:03 pm

Tom
I have the first two issues of the SG Cassette Club newsletters, and "Danny Boy" is not in either of them.

FYI, "Fat And Sassy" was the tab in the first edition, and "Maiden's Prayer" in the second.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
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Charles Curtis · Post by **Charles Curtis** » 1 Jul 2004 1:25 pm

Did Curly Chalker ever tab any songs and if so are they available?

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 1 Jul 2004 1:44 pm

I echo Bobby Seymour's post.

As Stan Hitchcock said just before Curley played that awesome break,

"Ladies and Gentleman, Mr Curley Chalker".

If you folks have not heard this recording of "The Shadow of Your Smile", you have missed one of the all time classic Steel guitar breaks.

may Jesus rest Curley's soul and may he bring you all joy always,

carl

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 1 Jul 2004 3:29 pm

.[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 17 November 2004 at 08:51 PM.]

Tom Bradshaw · Post by **Tom Bradshaw** » 1 Jul 2004 3:33 pm

I should have done some homework before I posted this. Bobbe, on what album was Curly's "Danny Boy?" I looked through my listings of his 5 albums, but can't find "Danny Boy" on any of them.

Somebody bring me up to speed. I just took my friend's word for it that "Danny Boy" was tabbed out in one of those old Newsletters. Maybe it has never been tabbed out. But again, on what album did Curly record this tune? ...Tom

John Bresler R.I.P. · Post by **John Bresler R.I.P.** » 1 Jul 2004 3:54 pm

Tom:

In newsletter #13, it says that it was recorded on Curley's Counterpoint album. This newsletter contains part 2 and I assume Part 1 is in Newsletter #12.

I sent you an email

JB

Tom Bradshaw · Post by **Tom Bradshaw** » 1 Jul 2004 4:12 pm

John: Thanks. Yes, "Danny Boy" is on Counterpoint. I scanned the album and just overlooked that title when I was searching. You would think I'd know what tunes are on the albums that I released. Besides having lost my memory, I've now gone blind! Anyway, I'll have to go to my warehouse and dig through a ton of stuff to see if I can find copies of those old S.G. Record Club Newsletters. If I do and if anyone would like to post Curly's rendition of "Danny Boy" on the tab section of the Forum, that will be fine with me. Whoever wants to do this, just let me know. If I can find both Newsletters in which the complete tune was printed, I'll loan the Newsletters to that person for formatting it for the Forum's tab thread.

You're right. Bob Grossman did do the tab. If any part of the tab is deemed a bit off, we can all slap Bob around and make him update it. Bob was only 12 years old when I paid him the thousand dollars to tab it out!!! ...Tom

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 1 Jul 2004 6:22 pm

Charlie McCoy IMHO THE GREATEST Harmonica player in the world did a wonderful version of "Danny Boy" on his great album "Charlie McCoy" (Monument Records-1972) The liner notes state "This album is dedicated the sidemen,The unsung heroes of the music business" Side 2 cut 4 is listed as "featuring Curly Chalker" And it is one of my favorite steel breaks of all time-I'm gonna go play it right now

John Bresler R.I.P. · Post by **John Bresler R.I.P.** » 1 Jul 2004 6:30 pm

Russ Wever also has a talk tape that is available from Scotty's that has a great "Chalker" style of Danny Boy on it. I use it whenever I need a C6th version of the song. It's Russ Wever Talk Tape #17. It also has Cold Cold Heart, Born to Lose, and Harbor Lights on it. All in that great C6th voicing.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 1 Jul 2004 7:42 pm

I posted a link to the audio and tab of Chalker's break in Charlie McCoy's "Danny Boy" in Tom's other post in the Tablature section. http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum8/HTML/002043.html

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 2 Jul 2004 5:59 am

Carl: I too wish to echo Bobbe's statements as I think they are so true. Please, correct me if I am wrong but I have always treasured that comment by Stan Hitchcock and I recall it as saying: Ladies and gentlemen, my good friend, Curly Chalker ! Now I'm not trying to be nitpicky or any such thing but I loose things in my old age and this is something I would want to be exact in remembering.

I thank you and Bobbe for knowing what I have always felt in my heart and listening to Curly's playing on the linked clip in this thread, I can only wonder what we never heard. There was so much more to be done by Curly that I feel a little helpless in wondering about what was left unplayed when he went home !

Regards, Paul

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 2 Jul 2004 7:56 am

Paul,

You may very well be correct. I seem to recall it the way I quoted it, but as any courtroom attorney can easily prove, what a person recalls may not be fact.

I sincerely stand corrected if Stan did not say it that way.

Thanks for pointing it out Paul, Jesus bless you always,

carl

Skip Mertz · Post by **Skip Mertz** » 2 Jul 2004 12:27 pm

A few months ago,a friend sent me a cpl tunes of Curly playing live somewhere(seminar maybe) and he did Mansion on the Hill on E9. I was about tired of hearing that tune until I heard Curly do it! guitar player may have been Leon. one of the other tunes was Up a Lazy River and maybe Satin Doll. This was Not from any album that I know of and if anybody can elaborate on were when it took place and have the whole show I would appreciate the info, thanks Skip
skipmertz@yahoo.com

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 2 Jul 2004 1:03 pm

Paul Warnik is absolutely right - that solo on McCoy's version is just downright awesome. The first time I played the track (back in the 70's) I just could not believe that someone could come up with a break that was so individual and different it just made the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

KB

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 2 Jul 2004 1:05 pm

Jim S-Thank you for that link to the tab!

Jeff Lampert · Post by **Jeff Lampert** » 2 Jul 2004 1:47 pm

You can count on one hand the number of pedal steel masters who seriously play jazz harmony on pedal steel guitar. Whereas with most all of the other icons it's a diversion from playing country/popular music, Curly's entire musical mind was endlessly focused on jazz harmony. The loss of him is not just the loss of a great pedal steel technician and innovator, but of an advanced musical mind who, were he still with us, would undoubtedly be continually breaking new musical ground. And because of that, it's also our and the world's huge loss.

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Jeff's Jazz

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 2 Jul 2004 2:02 pm

Jeff-Amen to that. It was music and Jazz first with Curly. A great Talent.....al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 2 Jul 2004 2:15 pm

Jeff: Perhaps you could help me recall something. When Curly first got to Nashville. on one of his album liners or somewhere in the music press; there was story about someone telling someone else: You've got to hear this ! I can't believe a steel guitarist who sounds like.... The names of the people who quoted this elude me as does the name of the famous Jazz Pianist whom Curly was playing like. Have you ever heard that story ?? Or anyone else for that matter....

Carl: I've seen Stan Hitchcock post on this Forum and perhaps he will cross this thread and refresh the quote from SOYS for all of us.

Regards, Paul

I found the old SH thread: here's a link
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum15/HTML/005747.html [This message was edited by Paul Graupp on 02 July 2004 at 03:26 PM.]

Russ Wever · Post by **Russ Wever** » 2 Jul 2004 2:31 pm

Skip,
The performance you refer to was an informal 'jam session' that took place at Scottys store in St Louis on Saturday night, January 13th, 1973. The guitarist is Bobby Caldwell (and the bassist is Buck Evans).
Curly was in town to headline an afternoon steel show for Scotty the following afternoon at the Ramada Inn.
~Russ
[This message was edited by Russ Wever on 05 July 2004 at 09:44 PM.]

Peter · Post by **Peter** » 2 Jul 2004 11:37 pm

Paul, The Pianoplayer's name you refer to is Oscar Peterson.
This information is on the album "More Ways to Play" which you can see in the Link you posted. The quote was by Beegie Cruser.

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Peter den Hartogh
Emmons 1978 S10-Fender Artist S10-Remington U12
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[This message was edited by Peter on 03 July 2004 at 12:39 AM.]

Lincoln Goertzen · Post by **Lincoln Goertzen** » 3 Jul 2004 7:08 am

I am definitely with Paul Warnik and Ken Byng on this one. I bought Charlie McCoy's record for I think $1, and have spent hours trying to figure out some of the harmonies that Chalker did on Danny Boy. When I think I have a nice-sounding arrangement that sounds something like what he did, I play the record again, and find out that he had way more chords in there than I did...... The whole thing gives me goosebumps.

Lincoln

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 3 Jul 2004 7:38 am

Thank You Peter ! And yes, those are the correct names !! At times I see a comment about the internet running slow and I suppose that is how my brain works sometimes as well.

Regards, Paul

Tom Bradshaw · Post by **Tom Bradshaw** » 3 Jul 2004 8:50 am

I have located the tab for Curly's "Danny Boy." When I find someone who knows how to post it in the tab topic section, it will show up there. Thanks to all. Curly was one of a kind. Someday I'll have to post the story behind the production of the "Nevada Breaks" album he did for me in the early '80s. He was just super toward me and the way he handled the recording session in Las Vegas was masterful.