Al Vescovo

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 1 Feb 2007 7:07 am

I thoroughly enjoyed Al's sets at the Mesa show, and as I said after the first time I heard him perform, he's like a breath of fresh air to the steel guitar world. I know he's been around a while, but the first time I heard him was at the first Mesa show, four years ago, and he's a big reason why I've been to all of the Mesa shows. He plays with great skill and enthusiasm, you can tell he loves what he's doing. He doesn't play any country shuffles, but we've heard all of them thousands of times anyway. I am a huge jazz fan and Al does it up right, on his 14 string Excel as well as a 6 string archtop.

Al has a new CD available that should be in every steel players collection, it is called "Steelin' Some Jazz". It has some old standards as well as some original songs on it and he was backed up by some great musicians on sax, piano, bass and drums. I bought several CD's at the show, but I've already played this one several times. It is GREAT. I'm not sure how you can order one, but Al is a Steel Guitar Forum member so you can probably email him for ordering information. and they may also be available through The Forum. I have Al's other CD's also, which are all good, but this one is the the best IMHO.

I think he's long overdue a set on the stage at ISGC, Scotty. (hint, hint). I know he would be a real hit in the Jazz Room for sure.

Jerry Hayes R.I.P. · Post by **Jerry Hayes R.I.P.** » 1 Feb 2007 8:32 am

Don't discount Al's ability to play those "country shuffles" at all. I have a video of a benefit show in the early eighties in Long Beach, Calif. which has Al on steel with Danny Michaels band. He's backing up different vocalists and plays country with the best of 'em. For anyone who's not aware of it, Al is one of the premier jazz, pop, and big band lead guitarists in the Southern California scene and has been for many years along with his list of major studio credits!.....JH in Va.

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 1 Feb 2007 9:13 am

I have had the pleasure of knowing AL for almost 40 years now and his regular Thursday night "home turf" Jazz gig is only a 15 min drive from my house!
JE:-)>

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 1 Feb 2007 9:32 am

In my opinion, Al is one of the greatest masters of jazz steel in the world, easily in the same league as Buddy Emmons, Reece Anderson and Doug Jernigan. His weekly gig is about 30 miles from my house. I go frequently to hear him.

His weekly gig is at a jazz club, with a jazz band, before a jazz audience. They accept the steel guitar as a legitimate jazz instrument because Al is a legitimate jazz musician. (He also plays great guitar, as he demonstrated at Mesa last week.)

I feel privileged to be able to hear him play as often as I do, and honored to call him my friend.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 1 Feb 2007 9:56 am

Yep!

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 1 Feb 2007 9:57 am

Did you know that Al backed up Jesus Christ in 1969?

Well, not the REAL Jesus Christ, of course. But Al was in the pit orchestra of the Hollywood production of "Hair." One of the lead actors, Teddy Neeley (of Corpus Christi TX) went on to star in the play and then movie of "Jesus Christ Superstar."

For that matter, I was in a band with Teddy at that time, so I guess when I say that Jesus played drums in my band, it's not too far of a stretch.

Disclaimer: I am a Believer, so this is merely an amusing anecdote, not blasphemy. Spare me the flames. If I have any coming in the next world, God will provide them.

Doug Childress · Post by **Doug Childress** » 1 Feb 2007 10:07 am

Al is one of the highlights of the Mesa show every year. I bought one of his CD's as did my brother-in-law who lives here in Phoenix and is not a musician. We have been listening to Al every morning since the show ended. In fact at this writing Al's CD of show tunes is being played. I agree that Al should be invited to Dallas and St. Louis. He can please any audience because of his talent and enthusiasm for the instrument.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 1 Feb 2007 10:17 am

Herb Steiner wrote:Did you know that Al backed up Jesus Christ in 1969?

Being one of the biggest Brian Wilson fans in the world, and knowing that Al worked with Brian in the studio many years ago, I thought you were referring to him...

At last November's San Jose steel jam, I meant to ask Al about his work on some Beach Boys sessions back in the day, but never got the opportunity.

I'll tell you, especially for an informal jam and not being an "official" steel show, I am humbled by the quality of great players that show up in San Jose, and I wouldn't want to name names, for fear of leaving someone out-but one of the big thrills for me in my first two years of attendance was watching and listening to Al play. Just jaw dropping stuff!

And Al has that jazzman kind of cool, and only certain people can pull it off.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 1 Feb 2007 11:14 am

I guess I should clarify a statement in my first post Jerry, I didn't mean that Al couldn't play those country shuffles, he just doesn't play them at the shows. He did play a Herb Remington song this year but I can't remember which one, maybe Remington Ride, or Bootheel Drag? As Stu's picture of Al shows, he enjoys what he's doing, and the rest of us do too.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 1 Feb 2007 11:50 am

I was fortunate to work with Al for a run of "The Will Rogers Follies" here in Atlanta. He played the heck out of every thing he picked up from banjo to guitar to steel.

Some one give a link to his CD please.

Eric Jaeger · Post by **Eric Jaeger** » 1 Feb 2007 12:09 pm

If anyone has information on how to get Al's CD, I'll buy one.

I've only heard Al at San Jose steel jams, and without taking anything away from the other sterling players there, Al's playing is always what stays with me. I've never heard anyone else approach the instrument the way he does. It'll sound over the top, but imagine George Van Eps or Wes on steel...

-eric

Bill Simmons · Post by **Bill Simmons** » 1 Feb 2007 12:14 pm

YES! I'm with Eric...how can I buy the CD?! Thanks...

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 1 Feb 2007 1:12 pm

Eric, you described my thoughts exactly. I am a big Howard Roberts fan, and thats what I thought of listening to Al's new CD. Howard Roberts style steel. Great stuff.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 1 Feb 2007 1:29 pm

I bought the "Steelin Some jazz"Cd and there is an address on it.
Faultline Records
3649 Whittier Blvd.L.A., Ca,90023

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 1 Feb 2007 1:49 pm

Darvin Willhoite wrote:Eric, you described my thoughts exactly. I am a big Howard Roberts fan, and thats what I thought of listening to Al's new CD. Howard Roberts style steel. Great stuff.

Al and Howard were pals and played together often.

Doug Seymour · Post by **Doug Seymour** » 1 Feb 2007 5:17 pm

Herb, I never played with J C, but I do recall doing a show with Ike Everly in Iowa right after I joined the staff band at KMA radio in Shenandoah IA early in March of 1950. Don & Phil used to come to the studio once in a while & started doing a program with Margaret & Ike after I had left in Sept of that year. The station is still on the air by the way......Ike and Margaret are gone and Steve Porter and I saw Buddy filling the steel chair at Chautauqua in August of whatever year 9/11 happened and Don & Phil decided to not tour any more! The audience gave more recognition to the piano man (people at Chautauqua know what a piano is!) than to the greatest steel player who ever played there. Maybe even anywhere! Oops! Guess I shouldn't say that in front of all you guys, but Buddy has always been my favorite!

Al Vescovo · Post by **Al Vescovo** » 1 Feb 2007 5:25 pm

Thanks everybody for those kind words. I really don't know what to say,except, today, Norma Jean and I are celebrating our 49'th wedding anniversary. This is one of the best days of my life. Thank you all again. Al

PS. the Steel Guitar Forum will have the new CD available sometime next week.

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 1 Feb 2007 6:26 pm

Now that's true love! Any woman who could live with a steel player for 49 years is a saint! I had a very nice time with Norma Jean at Mike Perlowins Birthday party recently, it was really good to see her.
All the best to both of you!
JE:-)>

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 1 Feb 2007 6:32 pm

Al
Here's wishing you and Norma Jean ANOTHER 49 years of marital bliss... and I hope you're STILL getting session calls at that time!

Your ex-Angeleno pal, Herb

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 1 Feb 2007 7:07 pm

Al's first steel album along with Jim Cohen's are my wife, Audra-No Shuffles, favorites.

Thom Beeman · Post by **Thom Beeman** » 1 Feb 2007 8:46 pm

Everyone mentioned Al's fantastic playing and I concure he is amongst the best to ever sit behind the instrument we all love. The one thing I always look for with Al is that infectuous smile, and kind word he has for everyone. The love that shines on his face when he looks at Norma Jean shows why they have been married all these years. A great musician, great husband, and a great man.

Eric Jaeger · Post by **Eric Jaeger** » 1 Feb 2007 10:25 pm

There've been a couple of mentions that Al plays regularly in the LA area? I make it into LA fairly frequently on business, and I'd love to drop in and see Al play. Where/when?

Thanks,

-eric

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 2 Feb 2007 1:06 am

Eric, Al plays most (but not all) Thursday nights at a club called "Casey's" in Canoga park.

The address is 22029 Sherman Way. The club is about half a block west of Topanga Canyon Blvd. To get there, take the 101 freeway to Topanga Canyon, go north to Sherman way, and turn left, then park wherever you can. The club is on the right hand side of the street.

Michael Clark · Post by **Michael Clark** » 2 Feb 2007 6:21 am

Mark Eaton,
I`m also a pedal steel player/ record producer / and Brian Wilson nut! Thought I was the only one would idolized Brian, The Beach Boys AND pedal steel!! Would have loved to hear Al play in Mesa, (just missed the show, I`m going there Sunday for concert tour), I always wondered who did all of that cool steel stuff for Brian and found out by being a member of the Forum.
I met Al Jardine this summer and asked him about the cut he did "Cottonfields" with Red Rhodes , he could`nt believe i knew he did the sessions !!! LOL. Pays to be a steel geek i guess!!!

Read your post and thought I`d say Hey!! Michael Clark
www.myspace.com/michaelclarkmusic

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 2 Feb 2007 12:44 pm

one more Brian Wilson fanatic here.

I bugged Al about the Beach Boys once. he told me that he basically came up with the changes for "Diamond Head" on the spot... pretty awesome. That and "Little Pad" are two great examples of steel and ukelele together. (Lyle Ritz... another great player.)

Buddy Emmons said he played at least one Beach Boys session, but he couldn't recall when or what song(s)... I don't think it ever got released. Or maybe the steel just got left off the final cut.

there's a version of the song "We're Together Again" with steel and dobro that never got used. Pretty sure that was Red Rhodes.

my brother is in L.A... wish I'd known about the Vescovo gig before now. Will definitely check it out next time I'm out there!

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