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Topic: In The Steel Of The Night----------Al Vescovo |
Roger Shackelton
From:
MINNESOTA (deceased)
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Posted 18 Jun 2009 12:41 pm |
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HELLO FORUMITES,
How many have Al Vescovo’s CD, IN THE STEEL OF THE NIGHT “ ????
There are 12 tunes on the CD.
ROGER
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In The Steel Of The Night
"An Instrument of Mass Seduction"
Armed with a new 14-string Excel pedal steel and a Fender Steel King amplifier, Al was inspired to record a selection of the most famous show tunes ever written. Rich, jazzy chord changes abound on these carefully constructed
arrangements.
The melodies are right out front at the top of each tune, and then Al takes you on a tasty ride through steel land over the changes. Great playing by a master jazzman. Thanks, Al!
1. The Way You Look Tonight
2. Younger Than Spring Time
3. On The Street Where You Live
4. Where Or When
5. In The Still Of The Night
6. People Will Say We’re In Love
7. Dearly Beloved
8. If Ever I Would Leave You
9. Might As Well Be Spring
10. Little Girl Blue
11. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
12. Speak Low |
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Billy Easton
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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Posted 20 Jun 2009 10:54 am
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Yes, I play Al's album very often in the Easton household. He is not only a great guitarist, but also plays a wonderful steel guitar. And to top it off, Al does commercials, bit parts in movies and television and is an all around good guy! He will even buy a beer for you now and then!
Billy Easton
Las Vegas, NV |
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Roger Shackelton
From:
MINNESOTA (deceased)
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Posted 20 Jun 2009 2:35 pm
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HI BILLY,
Has Al Played at the I.S.G.C. in ST. LOUIS?
ROGER |
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Steve Alcott
From:
New York, New York, USA
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Posted 20 Jun 2009 6:04 pm
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| How does one go about getting a copy of the aforementioned album? |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 20 Jun 2009 11:56 pm
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| Steve Alcott wrote: |
| How does one go about getting a copy of the aforementioned album? |
b0b sells Al's CDs from the forum catalog.
I think Al is up there in the same league as Buddy, Reece and Doug Jernigan. As far as I know he has never played in Dallas or St. Louis, but he is a regular at the Phoenix show. He also plays every Thursday night at a local jazz club.
Al's Thursday gig is, as I mentioned, at a jazz club, with a jazz band, before a jazz loving audience. I mean music by Ellington and Basie, horns and flat keys, and absolutely no country or rock, ever. The other musicians and the audience accept the steel as a legitimate jazz instrument, because Al is a legitimate jazz musician. (He also plays standard guitar on about 40% of the tunes.)
I get to see him perform whenever I want. (Lucky me.) He is truly an inspiration.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2009 1:30 am
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Al is a bonefide member of the LA wrecking crew. He might not have done as many sessions as Hal Blaine did (or Carol Kaye thought she did), but he was in the thick of it.
I love Al's steel playing, he has great tone and musicality. Seeing Al and Doug Livingstone are two great reasons for going to the Phoenix convention, because they are two of the best steel playing musicians anywhere, and that's where they come out to play. I never miss one of Al's sessions. Plus he and his wife are just great to talk to. |
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Jim Palenscar
From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2009 6:59 am
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Al and Norma Jean are two of the nicest folks on the planet. It is my understanding that John Hughey took Al's place at home in Memphis when he went on the road- just so that he didn't lose his spot in the family  . Also- Al is the only one I know that would tell a young Elvis Presley that he (Elvis) couldn't be a part of his band  . He is also one of the most wonderful musicians that I know and can play absolutely anything. |
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Bill Stafford
From:
Gulfport,Ms. USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2009 5:58 pm Al V.
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AMEN! One of the very best.
Bill Stafford |
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Bill Cunningham
From:
Atlanta, Ga. USA
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Posted 22 Jun 2009 5:51 pm
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Yes to what Mike, Jim, and Dan said.
Fortunately when I travel to LA on business, I can time Thursday night to be around the part of town where Al plays. Its always a treat at Casey's. It is a fine jazz band but the best part is sitting with Norma Jean 
Also, catch Doug Livinston if you are in Burbank. You'll be impressed and enjoy the steel playing and be entertained by Cody and company.
_________________
Bill Cunningham
Atlanta, GA |
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David Wright
From:
Pilot Point ,Tx USA.
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Posted 24 Jun 2009 7:01 am
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Al is a true Treasure of Ca......)))
Bill, stay away from Norma Jean......she's mine...  |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 24 Jun 2009 10:27 am
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Bill and David, you both lose, due to the fact that you both live so far away. I live close by and can see Norma Jean whenever I want.
I win. 
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Tommy Dodd
From:
Acworth, Ga., USA (deceased)
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Posted 24 Jun 2009 4:02 pm
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| All I can say is...that is a very "cool and catchy" CD title . . . . ... |
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scott murray
From:
Asheville, NC
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Posted 24 Jun 2009 5:03 pm
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Al is one of my heroes. He was Brian Wilson's go-to guy for steel back in the 6os.
I need to get this album. And I would get it even if it was a bunch of Whitesnake tunes on steel... glad it's not.
_________________
1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 24 Jun 2009 7:12 pm
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| Tommy Dodd wrote: |
| All I can say is...that is a very "cool and catchy" CD title . . . . ... |
LOL Tommy. What's that saying? Great minds think alike?
Seriously, Al is IMHO one of the finest jazz steel guitarists in the world. Possibly THE finest. It is a real privilege to be able to see him as frequently as I do. He should perform at all the big shows, not just Phoenix. Everybody who enjoys hearing jazz played on a steel should pick up on not just this, but all of his CDs.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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LJ Eiffert
From:
California, USA
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Posted 29 Jun 2009 8:31 pm
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| Can any of you tell me how many " Academy of Country Music Award shows " Al Vescovo played his Steet Guitar on? Leo J.Eiffert,Jr. |
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Al Vescovo
From:
Van Nuys, CA, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 1 Jul 2009 4:24 pm Thanks.
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Hello fellows, Thanks for the nice things you,ve had to say. I love the Steel Guitar and I love Music. I've had a wonderful life being able to make a career doing what I love. I have also made a lot of friends in the world of music, whom I shall always cherish. Thanks again for the kudos. Al
Leo, I played Steel and Guitars on 17 Academy of Country Music TV shows.
Guys, Norma Jean says hello to all of you!! |
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Mitch Drumm
From:
Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake
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Posted 1 Jul 2009 5:03 pm
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Here is a great pic of Al from about 1954, with one of my heroes, Johnny Burnette.
That's John Bobal on bass. I think this pic was taken at a high school in Memphis.
Is that a National guitar?
This must have been taken only months before Johnny Burnette made his first recording. I think Al was in the studio with Johnny on that day as well. |
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LJ Eiffert
From:
California, USA
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Posted 1 Jul 2009 6:08 pm
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| WOW Al,17. How many Awards have you won from the Academy of Country & Western Music now Today called the Academy Of Country Music? Leo J.Eiffert,Jr. PS:Great Picture! Al,you have got the ones I sent you to your PO Box awhile back? |
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LJ Eiffert
From:
California, USA
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Posted 4 Jul 2009 4:13 pm
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| Bump it for the 4th see you with a 5th later Al.I know we both don't do that! Leo |
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Dr. Hugh Jeffreys
From:
Southaven, MS, USA
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Posted 4 Jul 2009 5:04 pm photo
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| The photo does'nt look at all like John Bobal; he played with my band (The Atomics) for c. 6 years. I have many photos that he is in. It looks more like a young Clif Acred who lives here in Southaven now and is still a fantastic bass man.(He auditioned with Stan Kenton back in the 60's, but decided not to take the job) Back then Al and I played identical dbl. neck Nationals. I'm glad that Al finally broke into the acting area; he studied drama/acting many years. |
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Mitch Drumm
From:
Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake
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Posted 4 Jul 2009 5:28 pm
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Hugh:
The credit to John Bobal could be wrong. The pic was taken from another source, which had it credited to Bobal. You could well be right about Cliff Acred considering you have several pictures of Bobal.
To tell the truth, he looks like a young Robert Stack to me. |
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Al Vescovo
From:
Van Nuys, CA, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 8 Jul 2009 11:42 am John Bobal
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Hey guys, that is John Bobal. He was the music director and band director at Catholic High School for Boys. He played bass with Johnny and me at a school function. Since I was playing Steel Guitar ,I didn't play in the marching band.
Bobal would have me sub on his Friday night gig on Bass at the Silver Slipper, just outside of Memphis. What was amazing is that the Silver Slipper was a Strip Club. I was about 15 at the time. He said never to mention it to the faculty at school or we would both be axed. Long time ago. |
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Dan Sawyer
From:
Studio City, California, USA
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Posted 3 Aug 2009 9:28 am
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| I did get over to hear Al Vescovo's gig. He was amazing. You guys would have loved it. Seriously, Al is one of the greats and not enough people have heard of him. He plays the C6 pedal steel with 14 strings! His right hand is amazing. The best thing though is his musicianship and taste. Go Al! |
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 3 Aug 2009 1:03 pm
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| One more thing about Al's tone: he gets a very meaty, 'Wes Montgomery like' tone on the pedal steel. Almost like he's playing with no picks (except that with those chops, you know he is). It's great to hear a steel player with such a distinctive, personal sound. |
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