John McFee

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 6 Feb 2017 7:17 am

I saw the Music City Roots program recently with the Doobies. I did not know John McFee played so many instruments, so well. Besides fiddle and slide electric guitar, he played several models of resonator guitar in various methods....overhand lap style with an open slide, traditional lap style spider, stand up National both over and under, besides a nice ETS pedal steel.

It's the most I've ever seen him featured. Apparently, the DB's did an album with some acoustic flavor added in Nashville with some of the A team. Some of them appeared on this spot...Bela Fleck, Dan Tyminski, etc. as well as off and on again member since the 90's John Cowan on bass.

It was good to hear Simmons and Johnston again in this context and get a good look at McFee's versatility. His intonation was right on even when twinning with the sax and a very nice steel guitar tone too.

Maybe watch for it in your area on your PBS channel.
Probably been around a few times. I'm always behind.

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 6 Feb 2017 7:52 am

The first time John came into the shop he started playing all the standards- Steel Guitar Rag, Bud's Bounce, etc and I said- "Those don't sound like Doobie Brothers hits" to which he replied something like "These songs are my roots- I got into rock and roll as kind of a fluke." Great guy- marvelous multi-instrumentalist. Just saw him 2 weeks ago playing with Timothy B. Schmit (Poco, Eagles, etc).

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 6 Feb 2017 8:50 am

In the early seventies the two Clover records on the Fantasy label were playing a lot in our group of friends. There's a great record by ex- Moby Grape member Peter Lewis where he plays assorted instruments and also produced.

Ron Funk · Post by **Ron Funk** » 6 Feb 2017 9:46 am

One of my favorite Doobie Brothers songs is "South City Midnight Lady" which they recorded with Pedal Steel Guitar.

Greg Milton · Post by **Greg Milton** » 7 Feb 2017 3:01 am

And don't forget his great playing on Van Morrison's Tupelo Honey - great steel!

Bob Grado · Post by **Bob Grado** » 7 Feb 2017 4:07 am

"Pride of Cucamonga" Grateful Dead

Mike Holder · Post by **Mike Holder** » 7 Feb 2017 6:58 am

Ron; South City Mdnight Lady was played by Skunk Baxter if I'm not mistaken. Southern Pacific was another band where John was very instrumental..excuse the pun , and also Norton Buffalo's recordings.

Joseph Napolitano · Post by **Joseph Napolitano** » 7 Feb 2017 7:38 pm

Also played on Elvis' Blue" album ( Costello )

Joe Goldmark · Post by **Joe Goldmark** » 7 Feb 2017 9:51 pm

John is one of our local heroes in the S.F. Bay Area. I was thrilled that he played guitar on my album "Seducing the '60s". He also took a cameo steel solo on "The Kids Are Alright". I play the melody, there's a bridge then John takes a great solo. Turn it up because it's a little low on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d21oVkZHhKY

Joe

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 8 Feb 2017 10:30 am

Smooth guitar fills by him on the Elvis Costello song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9GlC9GyF4Y

Pete Woronowski · Post by **Pete Woronowski** » 10 Feb 2017 9:08 pm

My band opened for Southern Pacific years ago and between John's amazing guitar work and his pedal steel playing I was in shock for a long time.
Just a fantastic player.

John Brabant · Post by **John Brabant** » 14 Feb 2017 5:39 pm

Yep, and I love the way Joe Goldmark plays as well...