Who played steel on this Everly Bros. cut?

Jay Yuskaitis · From: Massachusetts, USA

The back side of the 1957 hit "Bye, Bye Love" entitled "I Wonder if I Care as Much" To me, this has always had a haunting sound to it.
Thanks, Jay Y.

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George McLellan · From: Duluth, MN USA

Just a guess, but my vote is Pete Drake.
Geo

Smiley Roberts · From: Hendersonville,Tn. 37075

I believe it was Jimmy Day.

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Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

There's a lot of steel on the early Everly sessions. Most of it is Jimmy Day, but Walter Haynes did at least one date.

'I Wonder If I Care As Much' is Jimmy - there is a version of 'Bye Bye Love' with JD on it, but that mix didn't make it to the stores.

Day was amazing on 'Nashville Blues' and 'What Kind Of Girl Are You?' - check out their first Warners album, 'It's Everly Time'.

RR

Andy Greatrix · From: Edmonton Alberta

I think I read somewhere that Jimmy Day played the solo on Lucelle. I always wondered how a six string guitar could sound like that and then I found out it was done on steel.

[This message was edited by Andy Greatrix on 17 November 2005 at 07:54 PM.]

Jon Zimmerman · From: California, USA

'S one of my faves from the Everly's--The Steel on Lucille has appeal.

Joe Shelby · From: Walnut Creek, California, USA

I'll just fill in (some of) the little details
that nobody really needs to know, just because I have this need to express all this
excess of details in my (whatever that is that rests above my neck).
After "It's Everly Time," and "A Date With
the Everly Bros," there wasn't much steel on
their records until "The Everly Bros. Sing the Great Country Hits," which had Red Rhodes doing steel chores.
"Roots" (1968) had Buddy Emmons sparsely appearing on a few cuts.
If you can find it, there's a slowed-down version of "Mr. Soul" with lotsa Buddy on it.
It has showed up on one collection, "Nice Guys," which was released in the mid-80's on
the Magnum (UK)label. Also (on this same album) is "Eden to Cainin," one of the finest
IMHO recordings of their Warner Bros.output.(Clarence White appears on this cut).
I think Gerry Hogan plays steel on a couple cuts on "EB 84."
Their last album release had Hank DeVito on it.
Since Buddy has been performing with them for
quite a few years now, many of us are wondering when they'll commit a live show to
release. I heard that a Las Vegas show supposedly was to be released, but nothing has come of it.

Pete Finney · From: Nashville Tn.

To add to the last post, for what it's worth,
Pat Severs is touring with the Everly's at the moment.

And "Green River" (early '70's?) has great steel by Mr. Emmons, and some great early Ry Cooder too... The last 2 times I saw Buddy play with them they opened the show with that, which was very cool...

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Yes, that was Jimmy Day doing that great solo on 'Lucille'.

I've just come across a photo of a 1950s Everlys session where just the end-plate of the steel guitar can be seen. The odd thing is that the steel player has his volume pedal (and his right foot) not under his guitar, but to the right of the pedal bar. Could that be JD, and was that something he did at one time?

RR

PS: There's another steel player to be added to the list; Martin Jenner was (along with Albert Lee) playing guitar on the 1983 Albert Hall 'Reunion' concert, and plays some rather basic steel on a few tunes.

[This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 18 November 2005 at 02:22 AM.]

Joe Shelby · From: Walnut Creek, California, USA

Roger--that sounds like a photo I've seen, and if it's one and the same, that is Jimmy Day.
Pete--Yes, "Green River." From "Stories We Could Tell" (1972, RCA;unfortunately not in
print at this time). Great playing from Buddy
on what is also a great tune.
"Pass the Chicken and Listen" (1973, RCA; not
in print). Mostly country material; I think
Weldon Myrick and Pete Drake on that one.
Creatively and performance--wise goes wanting
by comparison to "Stories..."
Actually, the very first Everly recordings
was a single for Columbia, with Carl Smith's
band providing backup. That would include Johnny Siebert on steel (1955).
Don's second solo album, "Sunset Towers," is
really worth having, if only for Buddy's work
on "Helpless When You're Gone." Really elegant and beautiful and powerful playing.
Nice work by the singer/songwriter, too.

Joe.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Thanks, Joe - that confirms it. The caption for the copy of the photo that I have claims that it depicts the 'Bye Bye Love' session.

I thought it could well have been Jimmy Day - I have another picture showing Jimmy playing a Fender non-pedal guitar behind Elvis Presley on the Hayride, and it looks like the same guy...

RR

Doyle Mitchell · From: Loraine, Texas

I am reading an atricle from the January 1980 copy of Steel Guitarist magizine, Tom Brumley is talking about his touring with Nelson, says the first album he cut with Nelson was " Live at the Troubadour". This is interesting to me because I did not know that Brumley played for Nelson until reading it in this magizine.According to this article he went with Nelson after quitting Buck Owens. A friend brought me 5 or six copys of this magizine from 79 and 80 and there is some great reading in there. One is with Buddy E., one with Jeff Newman, Ralph Mooney,Maurice Anderson, and Tom brumley,

Pete Finney · From: Nashville Tn.

I don't know what that last post has to do with the Everly Brothers, but...

If you're interested in Tom Brumley's playing with Rick Nelson, just search the forum using "Brumley" and "Nelson" you'll find a LOT of stuff, including clips of solos from those very hard to find records, thanks to Dave Van Allen, who's WAY into that stuff (for good reason!)

for instance:
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum15/HTML/005995.html
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum15/HTML/006018.html

Gerald Menke · From: Stormville NY, USA

I have a vinyl copy of "Stories We Could Tell", a bizarre record in its way, Buddy plays steel through an Echoplex on a tune doing this wild descending chromatic thing, the repeats all jumble up with one another (perfectly in time of course!) creating these OUT THERE tone clusters. He is credited as playing "slide guitar" of course... I always wondered if anybody else knew this record, I never see anybody posting anything about it. My copy is on that nutty Dynadisc vinyl, about as thin as a hair, but with the cool orange RCA label. Worth checking out.

Thanks to all for posting all those other cuts that have steel on them. I will have to check them out.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Isn't that 'Green River', Gerald?

Great steel part!

RR

Jason Odd · From: Stawell, Victoria, Australia

Have the CD versions of "Stories We Could Tell" (1972) and "Pass the Chicken and Listen" (1973) been deleted?

Also be wary of the Camden budget comp "Stories We Could Tell" which contains pretty much the whole RCA LP and some of the Pass the Chicken set.
It's a nice enough comp, but not the best remastering and fairly ordinary sleeve notes.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

There's a new Bear Family CD set, with all of Don and Phil's Warner Bros material from 1960 to 1965. It's been a long wait, and I'm very excited at the prospect. I've dropped some heavy hints to Santa, but it's not cheap at $140 or so. It includes a large hard-cover book with studio info and pictures.

They're going to do a second box which will cover the rest of their Warner years. Next, I'll be hoping for a similar project covering the RCA material.

Clarence White did some of his best work with the Everlys, and I just love that line in 'Nickel For The Fiddler' where Don sings: 'Cause I can run as fast as Chet Atkins picks the guitar', followed by a stunning finger-picked forward 'roll' by the Chief....

For a rock'n'roll act, Don and Phil have been great champions of country music (and steel guitar) over the years. Their records were always a high-point for me, and they maintained a fine standard. I will relish having ALL their output, as well as copious sleeve-notes, in these upcoming CD sets.

....and wouldn't it be terrific if they could release a recording of their show with Albert Lee and Buddy in the forefront of the band?

RR

Joe Shelby · From: Walnut Creek, California, USA

Jason-About the CD releases of the RCA stuff,
I thought they were both out of print, but
apparently not.Sorry, my bad. "Stories We Could Tell" (One Way Records #34509) is still
available. "Pass the Chicken and Listen" (One
Way #34508) looks to be out of print, but amazon has a couple copies at inflated prices
available through third party sellers. Finally, a two-fer of these albums is also
available on BMG Intn'l (RCA import). 20 tracks which is either most or all of both LP's.Quality advice noted...
Roger, yes, Bear Family has finally done it,
if any of us can afford it. My particular bias is toward the mid--sixties British invasion stuff;especially, "Beat and Soul,"
"In Our Image," "Two Yanks in England," and
most of the Warner Bros. stuff from "Gone, Gone, Gone" to the end (1970).
It will be interesting to see what outtakes pop up on the second Bear Family set, as you
mentioned. The sessions with Clarence White
will probably be the high point, since the
three cuts that have been released ("I'm On My Way Home Again," "Cuckoo Bird," and "Eden to Cainin," have all been great stuff.
Note to all of us that don't have the bucks
to pony up for the Bear Family sets: the Collector's Choice label (google a search) has released every Warner Bros. album they recorded
as individual re-releases. The original cover
art, etc. is all there. I can't advise on the
sound quality yet. Otherwise you can cherry-pick 'em, and not throw down this month's phone bill do-re-me to get what has been out
of circulation for far too long.
The one minus is that there were a lot of singles (and a lot every bit as good as any
of their hits) that never made it to any albums. "Walk Right Back," the Warners compilation, contains a nice selection of these songs (including "I'm On My Way Home Again").Also the cool tracks with Jimmy Day
(from "It's Everly Time," and "A Date With
the Everly Bros.") are here, too.

Joe.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Thanks, Joe.

Yes, I've been looking out for those individual releases, and I already have the first two Warners double CDs ('It's Everly Time'/'A Date With...' and 'Both Sides Of an Evening'/'Instant Party'). The sound on these is very good, and there is the original 'art' as well as pages of extra liner notes.

'Walk Right Back' is excellent, especially as it contains those Clarence White tracks.

'Stories We Could Tell' has Clarence on it, too - notably on 'I'm Tired Of Singing My Song In Las Vegas'

You're quite right about some singles not making it on to albums - that's why the Bear Family set is on my list; it should have everything.

I also agree about the mid-'60s period of their work - some of my favourites! What about 'Beat & Soul'?!!! James Burton and Glen Campbell doing that great twin guitar lick on 'Lonely Avenue'. 'Great Country Hits' has a version of 'Oh, Lonesome Me' that features an inspired guitar solo from Glen....

I'm happy to learn that there are some other 'Everly-philes' here on the Forum!

RR

Jason Odd · From: Stawell, Victoria, Australia

Roger, for sure.. Roots is one of the greatest records ever made.

Can't wait for the 1970 live one to be reissued. I also love Don's 1970 solo album with Sneaky Pete. .. a very mellow affair.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Yes, Jason!

I particularly like their version of the Randy Newman song, 'Illinios' on the 'Roots' album - what about the great piano part!!!

RR

Joe Shelby · From: Walnut Creek, California, USA

I think the Everlys singlehandedly gave birth
to the form country rock, long before anyone
else was doing anything like it. Yes, there
was rockabilly, but the difference here was
close--harmony duet singing with a rock and
roll base. And that is just one permutation of what they were about, as they did a lot of
experementation in their recorded work. Arrangements,instrumentation (for instance,
using Jimmy Day on "Lucille," a record that
rocked pretty hard for its time), utilizing a
wide variety of songwriters, and consistenetly turning out great work, even when they had long become forgotten in the
fickle top 40 world, and later on, in the album dominated era of FM music.
Well, enough of the soapbox. I am glad that
this year has seen a lot of releases of stuff
that hasn't been available in any form since the '60's.
I would really encourage anyone that enjoys
the British Invasion stuff of the mid-60's to invest in "Beat and Soul," probably one of the most underrated albums of its time.
James Burton, Hal Blaine, Glen Campbell and
the rest of the "wrecking crew" play very raw and inspired on this record. Some fine
ballads-"People Get Ready," and "I Almost Lost My Mind." And as Roger mentioned,
James and Glen do some fine twinning on "Lonely Avenue."

Joe.

Jason Odd · From: Stawell, Victoria, Australia

Good topic, getting better.

Roger, 'Illinois' is a standout, but there's not a dud track on Roots. A fantastic record.
It's a shame another one didn't follow and there was a such a gap between studio albums, I feel if they'd not changed labels they would have made a country-rock classic, however the label hopping was no help.

By 1972 they'd kind of missed the boat, they basically created the West Coast country-rock format, sure there were a lot of folkies in country-rock whose roots were in folk and bluegrass harmony styles, but so were the Everly's and they took it into pop a decade before. Joe, I couldn't agree with you more.

Actually I can, you are both (Joe & Roger) are on to it. Beat And Soul is an absolute classic, totally underrated (except for James Burton who used to always rave about it in interviews.. he must have had a lot of fun with that record).. the Shindig! years were fantastic, they toured and played with the rising BRitish bands and Motown and totally got them.

Joe Shelby · From: Walnut Creek, California, USA

It's an unfortunate truth that those (maybe in all art forms) who originate don't neccessarily reap the benefits of having been
"there" first.
In the Everly's case, this period was a long
one. It stretched from not long after "A Date
With..." until 1973, when the frustration of
having their records passed over and over for
so many years (combined with other factors)
caused them to throw in the towel at Knott's
Berry Farm (a place we went to often as kids;
never saw anyone perform there, though).
Warners continued to release singles throughout their time on that label. It has
been said that the buying public considered
them passe; if so, no amount of promotion
could have fixed that.
Country Rock, like we associate with the Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, Poco, and Rick Nelson was not exactly a major force in
the marketplace itself, but brought the country element to so many of us, that led to
exploring traditional country and falling in
love with the sound of a certain musical instrument, that we're still (sometimes) grappling with today.And part of that for a
lot of us is 1)we're not up on the pedestal
that we were 20 or more years ago;and 2)we're
(not all of us) in the middle of this big debate about whether or not we should keep
championing the traditional uses versus finding new places in uncharted musical waters for the instrument we love.
Now that may sound like wandering off topic, but-
in a way, it's not so different from what
happened with the Everlys. That is, in spite
of a major decline in popularity, they continued to experiment with many different
elements in their recordings, if only for
trying to get a hit record. Looking back, they did introduce a lot of neat ideas, and
there were also some real clunkers (i.e. "Whiter Shade of Pale," from "The Everly Bros. Sing."). There were a least a couple of tunes on many of the Warners LPs
that were not so easy on the digestive system.
They kept on trying things, and the part that
is sad, that (in the middle of country rock's
most fertile year) they pared down their sound to its most basic, brought in Clarence
White, and made some records that are among their best.This is not a new occurence in pop
music. "I'm On My Way Home Again" was released as a single (which may not have been
the best move, since the focus by this time had switched to albums) and it's as good as
anything Poco, the Byrds, Burritos, Rick Nelson,etc. ever did, IMHO.
The good part of this is that when the second
Bear Family set is released, we're gonna here
all of the Clarence White stuff and I think
more than a few (the cost of this collection will limit who gets to hear it) will be surprised that the Everlys were still innovating at a time when all those groups they influenced were giving us a sound that
wasn't as new as it seemed back then.
Sheesh, what a rant...

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

You're quite right, Jason, there's not a 'dud' on there. That album really touched me when I first heard it in '68, even 'though I'd been an ardent Everly fan ever since the first strains of Don's guitar intro on 'Bye, Bye Love' reached me in London (courtesy of Radio Luxembourg)....

'Illinois' still gives me goose-bumps - not only the wonderful song and that beautiful piano-part (with the very cool 'decelerando' on the outro), but especially when Don sings 'Blue haze of winter - hangs over the prairie...' I just love that moment! 'Roots' is one of the greatest pop albums of all time, in my view, and another stand-out track is 'You Done Me Wrong' (written by Ray Price and George Jones!); I think the Louvins must have done it first, but it's perfect for Don and Phil.

As for 'Beat & Soul', there are too many wonderful 'guitar moments' to mention. I'm happy to learn that James has happy memories of that album - they were, indeed, the 'Shindig' years, and JB was at his peak, in my opinion.

I have a funny recollection of being in my car with guitarist Billy Bremner. We had the tape on as we were driving. 'CC Rider' has this full-tone bend from James (he pushes the string up, then lets it back down with great effect), and we - both being guitar-players too - instinctively mimicked James' lick with the middle fingers of our left hands. The driver coming in the opposite direction only saw two guys making an obscene gesture.....

RR

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