Jimmy Day's Tribute to Don Helms

Dave Van Allen · From: Doylestown, PA , US , Earth

This is one of the most fascinating steel recordings I have.

Does someone know and want to share (via e-mail) the circumstances surrounding the sessions for this record??
If you are familiar with the recording you may realize why I ask.
I have my own theory, but since it involves a legend, I don't want to "stir up stuff" on the forum, yet I want to know.

thanks.

dva

[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 21 September 2001 at 01:27 PM.]

nick allen · From: France

For those of us NOT familiar with the recording, (but with inquiring minds), how about even a little-bitty clue as to why you ask... or why it's so fascinating?

Nick

Dave Van Allen · From: Doylestown, PA , US , Earth

the purity and beauty of human emotion projected thru a pedal steel guitar.

[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 24 September 2001 at 12:00 PM.]

Fred Bova · From: Connecticut, USA

Where can I get a copy

Ronald Comtois · From: Bourne, Massachusetts, USA

I have that album;it is interesting work.

Ron C.

Glenn Suchan · From: Austin, Texas

Dave, I agree. Although it's not one of Jimmy's more technically accurate recordings, it is most certainly, IMHO, his most emotional playing on a recording. The steel sounds completely "dry". Just Jimmy, a steel guitar, and an amp. No reverb, no delay, no nothin'. Just pure, sweet steel as only Jimmy could play. This is, by far, my favorite Jimmy Day album. I don't have the album in front of me, but I believe it's titled " A Tribute To Don Helms, Jimmy Day and His Buddies". The Buddies are Buddy Harmon, Buddy Spicher and Buddy Emmons on drums, fiddle and bass respectively. It was released in the early '80's on a German record label. I don't think it's been re-released on CD. If it has, BUY IT. You won't be sorry.

On one particular occasion, I had the great fortune to hear the same level of emotional playing in a live setting from Jimmy. It was early December just before he was hospitalized for the last time. Jimmy had a frequent gig (it might have been weekly) in the Austin area at a little roadhouse in Liberty Hill, Texas, called Henry's. You longtime Austin pickers all remember and loved Henry's, I'm sure. Anyway, for these gigs, Jimmy played as a duo with Craig Dillingham singing and playing flattop guitar. It was a very intimate performance as Henry's was very small (probably 50-person capacity). All were in rapt attention to the music. Among the audience was a small entourage of Jimmy's friends and family. To me, the night had a feel as though I was witness to a private pickin' session at Jimmy's house.

As you can guess the music was magic with Jimmy's remarkable playing and Craig sounding like a young Ray Price in his prime. The evening finally came to an end, and as the patrons were finishing their last drinks and talking together, there was Jimmy still sitting at his steel. Through the low din of conversation he started to play "Silent Night". It was the most emotional rendering of the song I've ever heard on a steel guitar. I was in "church" and Jimmy was preaching a "sermon". Sadly, it was the last time I saw and heard Mr. Day play.

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

Tommy Minniear · From: Logansport, Indiana

What an absolute great story Glenn! Almost gave me goose bumps just reading about it!

And....as I recall you are dead on accurate as far as your description of the album. I had it and had Jimmy autograph it in St. Louis one year. But, as a lot of my cherished LP's, over the years it has disappeared. I'd love to obtain a CD of this recording!

Tommy Minniear

Terry Wood · From: Lebanon, MO

I only met Jimmy Day a couple of times in years past but I always greatly admired his playing and he was a true artist.

A couple of short stories about Jimmy:

Speedy West my good friend shared with me how he had autographed a $2 bill for Jimmy Day years earlier, probably during the 50's. Speedy was amazed years later, about 25-30 when Jimmy opened up his wallet and pulls out the $2 bill that Speedy had autographed for him years before. I loved the story and had Jimmy autograph a $1 bill just to keep it. I still have that dollar.

Next, once at the St. Louis Convention Jerry Byrd and I were talking in the concert hall. I am so wrapped in my conversation with Jerry and amazed at all his great stories about recording with Hank Wiliams Sr., etc., when all of a sudden Jerry says to me, "Now, just listen to how quite they all get (refering to about 2,000 spectators in the concert hall) when Jimmy plays." I'll never forget, I turned around and you could have heard a pin drop in that place. Everyone was glued on Jimmy Day and listening to him play Danny Boy.

Yep! I got all of Jimmy's records and the one that's on CD. Somebody sent me a DVD of Jimmy a few years back and man it's great. It's Jimmy live at The Louisiania Cajun Steel Blast.

Just had to share alittle of what I know about a Steel Guitar Legend. Buddy Emmons was as close to Jimmy as anyone I know. Maybe he would like to share some about Jimmy.

May GOD bless each of you and yours!

Terry Wood

Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

I found that record a few months ago at a used record shop in SF. That's the best of JD I've heard. He had a lot of soul fer sure!

DZ

Bernie Gonyea · From: Sherman Tx. 75092 ,U.S.A. (deceased)

Hi, you Jimmy Day Fans: glad you guys mentioned his fabulous talent as a steel guitarist. The one & only time I had the pleasure of seeing Jimmy at a " BUCK OWENS" Concert in Kingston, Ontario, back in the sixties. I was so honored that nite to hear the most out-standing solo of " The Orange Blossom Special ", on Jimmy's Guitar. What a fantastic version of that tune.. A standing Ovation was given to Jimmy, for that performance. As Hank Williams was one of my favorite artists, I'd certainly love to hear that recording of Jimmy doing a special tribute to Don Helms; another great Steel Guitarist. Thankx..Bernie

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