Close up the Honky Tonks - Steve Fishell

[steinar]

On Radney Foster`s version Fishell plays steel, and I`m trying to get his voicing on the intro, - where he seemingly seems to incorporate an open string. The song is played in A, - anybody?

[Dana Blodgett]

Steiner, go to tablature on the forum here and you’ll find some tabs on page 51 & 52 , Bakersfield Bound track 3
It’s in key of Bb so move it down a fret, hope this helps, you might have to get creative
Off the top of my head it sounds like B&C pedals down @ 7th fret, or 5th string open @ 12th fret , to 5 string A pedal engaged, sounds similar to an old song Jimmy Day played yrs. Ago “ Heartaches by the Numbers”
I’m not at my steel right now.Hope this helps

[steinar]

Hi Dana and thanks for you reply. Much as I admire Jay Dee`s playing on Bakersfield Bound, Fishell still does it differently on Foster`s version. I have listened to Day`s playing and tried out your suggestions with BC on the 7. fret and open 5. string on 12. fret with A pedal later, but still - to my ear - there is something different with the way Steve does his intro. I have experimented with various string combinations including those with open strings, but just can`t achieve the exact same voicing that I seem to hear. There is a taste of Mooney from the intro to Under your Spell. So, close, but so far no cigar!

[Dana Blodgett]

Haven’t worked on it yet but it sounds like a lot of treble.
Thoughts…play around with the A& F together
B&D (E lvl 1/2 tone lower)
Incorporate the 1st string raise either a 1/2 or whole tone raise, possibly add A&B
I really like Rodney Foster’ work,the tone reminds me of Brumley!
Fishell might have a somewhat different copedant.
Good luck

[Fish]

Hi steinar and Dana,

I just stumbled upon this thread late last night and have to make an important correction. I didn't play steel on "Close Up the Honky Tonks" by Radney Foster; this track features Joshua Motohashi -- who toured with Radney at the time -- on steel. Joshua is an excellent player; he's also a skilled airplane pilot, a gentleman and a friend.

I encourage everyone to also check out Joshua's playing on Radney's version of "The Running Kind." I co-produced both of these songs with Radney, and we always made it a point to use members of Rad's touring band on his recordings. Joshua played the perfect part on both of these songs. He's on fire on "Running Kind."

Steve Fishell

[steinar]

Joshua plays steel there, - ah so desuka! Since you produced the album, I have to compliment you on giving Joshua-san a great steel sound, Steve.

[Fish]

Thanks steinar....but all credit goes to Joshua's stellar playing, along with Mike Poole's engineering and Chuck Ainlay's mixing. It's the engineers who provide the secret sauce; 80% of producing is simply knowing where to order the best BBQ and Thai food for the session

[steinar]

Steve, - modest as usual! As a producer, you`re like the captain of the ship, setting the standards and supervising the results. As such, you`re achieving an A plus!

[Frank Freniere]

I encourage everyone to also check out Joshua's playing on Radney's version of "The Running Kind." I co-produced both of these songs with Radney, and we always made it a point to use members of Rad's touring band on his recordings. Joshua played the perfect part on both of these songs. He's on fire on "Running Kind."

Steve Fishell

I took a run at Joshua “Lucky” Motohashi’s solo on “The Running Kind” a while back. Great song, great performance, great production and a great steel solo.
viewtopic.php?t=150133&highlight=motohashiOp

Here’s the YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj_DrUxND ... IGtpbmQ%3D

[steinar]

I had seen the video on YouTube and there Crawford sits behind the steel, so up until Steve Fishell enlightened me, I thought Jimmy(R.I.P.) had played on the record, - although I was somewhat puzzled hearing licks like that from him.

[Dana Blodgett]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn7AMQJ ... t5IGFkYW1z