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Topic: Great Songs by Artists Who Don’t Usually Have Steel |
Colin Swinney
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 18 Jul 2018 5:42 pm |
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As a young, punk kid in the 90’s, I think the first time I ever heard pedal steel was in a song called “Man on a Mission†by Bad Religion. As a very fast, punk band, they would honestly be one of the last groups in the world I would think to use steel, but it works really well on that song. As far as I know it’s the only time they used it on a track.
Another great song is by one of my absolute favorite bands, Reigning Sound. They have a tune called “As Long†on their first record, again, the only time I think they used steel, and it’s incredible. Definitely one of the reasons I decided to play. The guy who played on it is named John Whittemore, who is apparently one of Memphis’ finest dentists.
https://youtu.be/5CzfkmhHI-A
What are some of your favorite tunes featuring steel by artists that otherwise don’t use the instrument? |
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Dennis Montgomery
From:
Western Washington
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J Fletcher
From:
London,Ont,Canada
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Dale Rivard
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 20 Jul 2018 9:11 am
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| Nice find Jerry! |
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Brett Day
From:
Pickens, SC
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Posted 20 Jul 2018 10:27 am
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| Nineties country band Little Texas had Sonny Garrish playing steel on their hit single "I'd Rather Miss You", then in 1994, on their third album Kick A Little, Paul Franklin played steel on a song called "Your Days Are Numbered", and in 1998, the band Blackhawk featured Paul Franklin on steel guitar on their fourth album, "The Sky's The Limit". Paul plays a solo on a song called "Think Again", which features former Blackhawk guitarist Van Stephenson on lead vocals. Paul is featured playing steel on a few other songs on the album, with lead singer/guitarist Henry Paul on vocals, and one song featuring keyboardist Dave Robbins |
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Ron Pruter
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 20 Jul 2018 2:35 pm
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Christian band Third Day,Their first hit, "I Will always love you." Steel player cuts loose at the end. I suspect it's PF. Paul was it you? They did a more current version without the steel. Not nearly as good. Tried to put a link but don't know how on my Kindle. RP
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Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112. |
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Aaron Johnson
From:
Lemoore, CA
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Posted 20 Jul 2018 2:43 pm
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| I really enjoyed listening to 'As Long' and will check out the band. Thank you! |
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Ron Pruter
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 20 Jul 2018 2:59 pm
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Figured it out, I think. Here it is??
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=06khEqzGEsc
_________________
Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 20 Jul 2018 3:54 pm
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Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" probably deserves a mention. Nice steel work by B. J. Cole.  |
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John Goux
From:
California, USA
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Posted 20 Jul 2018 9:53 pm
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Yay for Tiny Dancer. It is one of the high points in the movie “Almost Famous†when that pedal steel comes in.
Don’t forget Holdsworth.
And, Teach Your Children.
J |
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Joachim Kettner
From:
Germany
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Michell Geerdink
From:
Netherlands
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Posted 21 Jul 2018 6:51 am
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'Appaloosa' Black Crowes
I think they have more songs with steel but still not a typical psg band. |
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Michael Castellana
From:
Massachusetts, USA
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Lee Warren
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 21 Jul 2018 10:32 am
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One of my favourite pop bands, The Hollies, had steel on their song Jennifer Eccles.
https://youtu.be/-RbXCFeJz-0
The steel starts around 1:28. |
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Colin Swinney
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 22 Jul 2018 4:15 pm
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These are all great, I’m going down a Hollies YouTube rabbit hole right now. I’ve never given them enough of a chance compared to how many times I’ve listened to the Monkees for example. Such perfect pop.
I’m definitely finding that Zappa song. The kind of guy everyone can and should appreciate, even if it’s never generally their kind of thing. |
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Lee Warren
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 22 Jul 2018 4:55 pm
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Hey Colin,
I'm glad I may have triggered your Hollies rabbit hole excursion!
I saw them in around 1971, then again in the early 1980's.
They sang and played great both times.
Saw the Monkees too (with writers Boyce and Hart), in the 1970's, then again about a month ago, (Dolenz and Nesmith) with forum brother Pete Finney on pedal steel.
Real fun shows.
Lee |
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Colin Swinney
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2018 7:18 am
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It’s remarkable to be able to see those bands so many years apart, and I’m sure they were terrific shows each time.
I’ve loved the Monkees since I was a kid and my babysitter would watch reruns of their show with me. Then when I was older, I saw the movie Head and I thought they were even better, and it also changed my opinion of them as “real musiciansâ€. From there, I got sort of into Michael Nesmith, and of course, his use of pedal steel on his albums.
I listened to their newest album once and thought it was good, not great. I’ll have to give it another spin soon though. |
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