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Topic: Are You A Curly Chalker C6th Fan? |
Dave A. Burley
From:
Franklin, In. USA
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Posted 1 Jun 2011 11:35 pm |
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Having produced some recordings featuring some pedal steel C6th players, I am curious if there are many Curly Chalker C6th fans out there. Curly was a great E9th player but his strength seemed to be in his C6 playing with all of those great chords.
I have mentioned before about placing Curly right next to the legendary jazz guitarist, Tal Farlow, on stage during the Cavalcade Of Guitars. Tal, having never played with a pedal steel player, was blown away by Curly's great chords. I know Curly really got irritated if another steel player would look under his steel. I had seen it when it happened and seen Curly's reaction although he didn't seem to mind when Tal Farlow took a good look under his steel. Did Curly ever share his 'secrets' with anyone? I do know that his playing on Body And Soul on the Cavalcade Of Guitars cd is a work of great art. What touch and what great passing chords he would use. Inquiring minds want to know.
Thanks,
Dave A. Burley
_________________
Dave A. Burley
P.O. Box #211
Franklin, Ind. 46131
Buddy Emmons/Jimmy Bryant live $15.00 includes shipping.
It's The First Time(studio)$15.00 includes shipping.
Curley Chalker/Julian Tharpe live $15.00 includes shipping.
the Cavalcade Of Guitars live $16.00 includes shipping.
Pay by PayPal to: dab7875159@aol.com |
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Paul King
From:
Gainesville, Texas, USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2011 3:52 am
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| Absolutely. Chalker was a monster player and I especially loved his C6th playing. |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 2 Jun 2011 4:08 am
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I love to listen to Curly's recordings, but I love to read and hear about him almost as much. He comes across very much as being his own man when it comes to his playing style. Some have described him as being dogmatic and tetchy and yet open and kind by others. What can't be disputed is that the guy was a genius and a one off. His interview with Bob Powell of Country Music People in the late 70's was exceptionally enlightening. Bobbe Seymour too has put together some good words about Curly's life and career.
He was a monster player among any of his peers, and died far too early unfortunately. Some of his work just makes me burst out laughing when I hear it, it is that good.
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Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E, |
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Marino Galli
From:
Switzerland
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Posted 2 Jun 2011 4:33 am
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I also subscribe
Curly was a genius and should deserve a lot more 'estimation '
by steelguitar "jazz lovers"!!!
Best Regards and..
Greetings From Switzerland
Marino Galli |
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Joe Smith
From:
Charlotte, NC, USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2011 5:28 am
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| Oh yeah!!! Curly was one of the greatest. |
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Jody Cameron
From:
Angleton, TX,, USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2011 6:49 am
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| A true genius in every sense of the word. I love Curly's playing! jc |
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Anthony Locke
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2011 7:05 am
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Definately! I first heard his pedal guitar playing about 10 yrs ago, when Jeremy Wakefield played me a cassette tape featuring Curley playing in a hotel ballroom in Reno NV. I could be mistaken about the location of the recording, but it was definately live, and lo-fi, and amazing.
A couple of years later I got my hands on a copy of "S'Wonderful" the record featuring Joe Venuti, Eldon Shamblin, Jethro Burns, and Curley. Great record but I wish that Curley had gotten more airtime on that recording.
Recently I was lucky enough to hear a live recording of Curley Chalker and Jimmy Bryant. Curley seemed to have a command over his instrument in such a way that he could play whatever idea crossed his mind at that moment, and man, he sure had some amazing and very musical ideas. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 2 Jun 2011 7:06 am
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Big fan here!
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Dave A. Burley
From:
Franklin, In. USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2011 9:07 am Curley Chalker
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I recall using Curly on one of our Jamfest/Seminar trips in the seventies. We had a six hour concert and seminar in someplace near Austin and another in Dallas, Texas the following day. Maybe someone out there can remember where those shows were at. Many of my records were swept away in the flood here 3 years ago. Curly, Buddy Emmons, Reece Anderson and Julian Tharpe were on this two city tour. No recording though, dang it.
Curly was fun to be around at times, other times not too fun. Three of the steel players flew 2nd class but Curly first 1st class. I think that you could smoke in 1st class but not in 2nd class. He was a corker as most great musicians are. I did enjoy him tremendously though.
Curly did enjoy having a hot toddy now and then and he did enjoy several of them on that tour. Sometime I might relate some of the stories about Curly from that trip and from the many times that Johnny Gore, Jimmy Bryant and I would visit him at a club in Nashville where he had a regular 'pop' gig. He not only was a great steel player but could also lay out those big fat chords on the lead guitar. Bryant and Gore would always sit in with Curly on those visits. I feel so honored to have Jimmy and Johnny invite me to tag along and to have those memories of those times.
Dave A. Burley
_________________
Dave A. Burley
P.O. Box #211
Franklin, Ind. 46131
Buddy Emmons/Jimmy Bryant live $15.00 includes shipping.
It's The First Time(studio)$15.00 includes shipping.
Curley Chalker/Julian Tharpe live $15.00 includes shipping.
the Cavalcade Of Guitars live $16.00 includes shipping.
Pay by PayPal to: dab7875159@aol.com |
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Roger Edgington
From:
San Antonio, Texas USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2011 9:12 am
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| Put me down as a Curly fan too. I never got to see him live, but I really enjoy his recordings. |
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Ray Harrison
From:
Tucson, Arizona, USA (deceased)
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Posted 2 Jun 2011 9:51 am
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In answer to the title question, Hell Yes!!!!!
_________________
Ray Harrison
Bass/sing/Love PSG
77 Stingray/Kiesel 5 string bass
Telonics , Fender Rumble500, Polytone Amps
D-16 Martin, 1970 Ovation guitars |
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Mike Spaeth
From:
Springdale, Arkansas
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Posted 2 Jun 2011 10:43 am
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Very much so!  |
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Joerg Hennig
From:
Bavaria, Germany
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Posted 2 Jun 2011 12:06 pm
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| In a word, yes. |
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Dave Harmonson
From:
Seattle, Wa
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Dave A. Burley
From:
Franklin, In. USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2011 2:55 pm Curly Chalker
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Part of the reason that I posted the question is that I really am curious as to how many of the steelers on the Forum play the C6th neck along with the E9th, G9th or whatever.
Thanks,
Dave A. Burley
_________________
Dave A. Burley
P.O. Box #211
Franklin, Ind. 46131
Buddy Emmons/Jimmy Bryant live $15.00 includes shipping.
It's The First Time(studio)$15.00 includes shipping.
Curley Chalker/Julian Tharpe live $15.00 includes shipping.
the Cavalcade Of Guitars live $16.00 includes shipping.
Pay by PayPal to: dab7875159@aol.com |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 2 Jun 2011 5:22 pm
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YUP!!
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 2 Jun 2011 6:01 pm
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I first heard Curly on the old Hee Haw show, I guess. At the time I was a steel enthusiast but not yet a player. Enjoyed his playing a lot.
Later on, I became more aware of his work and found an instrumental lp or 2 by him.
I was fortunate to have seen him at the St. Louis convention a time or 2.
Quick story, once I was setting up for a homecoming show in Spencer Co. Ky. A gentleman sitting in the stands asked if I knew Chalker tuning. When I admitted that I did not, he just shook his head, walked away and said any steel player that didn't know Chalker tuning didn't know squat....or something like that  
Yes, I do play C6 as well as E9 but have only a thimble full of Chalker licks to offer. |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2011 6:40 pm
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I can't imagine anyone who enjoys C6 not being a Chalker fan.
When I was in Nashville at Newman's college in the late 70's I went to see Paul Franklin with his band at Deeman's Den, I think, and he blew my mind, (as well as being a very pleasant conversationalist). Wending my way homeward very late, I heard more steel music coming from a little hole in the wall. Stuck my head in and it was Curly with Buddy E. playing bass for him. One guy asleep at the bar. Got my mind blown again! |
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Jody Sanders
From:
Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 2 Jun 2011 7:59 pm
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| Sign me up as a fan of the great Curly Chalker. Jody. |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Joerg Hennig
From:
Bavaria, Germany
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Posted 3 Jun 2011 11:23 am Re: Curly Chalker
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| Dave A. Burley wrote: |
Part of the reason that I posted the question is that I really am curious as to how many of the steelers on the Forum play the C6th neck along with the E9th, G9th or whatever.
Thanks,
Dave A. Burley |
Dave,
These days I actually play more C6 than E9 (started out as "E9 only", eventually got a doubleneck and gradually got into it and nowadays I'm even more interested in the jazz/blues side of the PSG than country. While I can figure out a lot of stuff that, for instance, Emmons and Charleton did in the early '60s, most of Curly's playing at this point is still too "mind-boggling" for me. A real great inspiration, though.
But I admit so far I only know a couple of YouTube clips and would like to hear a lot more. What is considered "essential listening" for Curly Chalker and is any of it readily available on CD? |
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Roger Shackelton
From:
MINNESOTA (deceased)
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Posted 3 Jun 2011 2:58 pm
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I was fortunate to have met Curly Chalker in Oct. of 1969 at the DJ Convention in Nashville. He was playing a D-10 Sho-Bud Baldwin guitar w/ a 7 x 6 set up. Unfortunately one of his vertical knee levers broke.
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Dave A. Burley
From:
Franklin, In. USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2011 7:23 pm Curly Chalker C6
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Joerge asked: 'What is considered "essential listening" for Curly Chalker and is any of it readily available on CD?'
I am not an expert which one should be to answer Joerge's question, but.............I have heard Curly play a lot. To me one of the best things that he has done, which shows his command of the C6th and his great touch, is his playing on the tune 'Body And Soul' on the just released cd 'Cavalcade Of Guitars.' With all of the great musicians on stage, Curly is the first to be heard. That is the tune that the legendary Tal Farlow, sitting right next to Curly, almost had his head under Curly's steel trying to figure out what Curly was doing. Tal, a master of chord progressions and a very progressive player, was amazed at what Curly did on the pedal steel that night. Tal was so impressed that had agreed to do an 'in studio' recording with Curly which we never did get around to.
'Thanks,
Dave A. Burley
_________________
Dave A. Burley
P.O. Box #211
Franklin, Ind. 46131
Buddy Emmons/Jimmy Bryant live $15.00 includes shipping.
It's The First Time(studio)$15.00 includes shipping.
Curley Chalker/Julian Tharpe live $15.00 includes shipping.
the Cavalcade Of Guitars live $16.00 includes shipping.
Pay by PayPal to: dab7875159@aol.com |
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Bob Watson
From:
Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
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Posted 4 Jun 2011 2:02 pm
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| Curly Chalker was The Chord King. He also was a very emotional player. I love the way he would interact with the other musicians he was playing with. |
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Bill Stafford
From:
Gulfport,Ms. USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2011 3:39 pm Curly Calker
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Echoing all the previous remarks about Curly. He was the very best. He was one of the very few that Jerry Byrd was really impressed with and he personally related that to me over and over again when Curly's name would come up in our converstions.
One year at the Chase Park Plaza, Scotty's show, Curly came up to me after I got off stage and asked me to come with him to the tune up room off stage. He then took his steel upside down and showed me his set up. We had a nice converstion and became fast friends immediately. A few other players were watching that event and one of them asked me "...how did you get Curly to do that?" I told him you don't get Curly to anything-he just wanted to share with me his pedal and lever set up. I was thrilled with this friendship from him and am still in awe of his playing and the feeling he put into his music. Jerry Bryd has said our instrument is the most personalized musical instrument and really sincere feelings can be felt when it is played by masters like Curly, and of course Jerry Byrd. Curly and Jerry are missed so much.
Bill Stafford |
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