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Topic: Jack Mooney "Swinging Steel Guitar" |
J Fletcher
From:
London,Ont,Canada
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Posted 31 Jan 2007 2:15 pm |
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I've got an LP on the Arc label, by the Jack Mooney Quintet, called Swinging Steel Guitar. Very nice playing by Mr Mooney and his bandmates, doing some swing and standards. Recorded in Toronto, Canada during the 60's I would guess. I wonder if anybody knew Jack and could fill me in on a bit of his history. I believe he died five or six years ago, and lived in western Canada for his later years. Anyhow, I'm a fan of this record and am curious about the man.
Thanks for any info...Jerry |
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Bryan Bradfield
From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 31 Jan 2007 9:55 pm
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JACK MOONEY was my 'inspiration' long before I had ever heard of JB. He arrived in Edmonton, (from Winnipeg), during the mid-forties, had a daily 15 minute radio show on CJCA (4 Lads and a Lass), which lasted for about 3 years. His wife at the time, (Gladys Spence) was a beautiful lady and a fine vocalist. Jack was unquestionably a great steel guitarist, probably the best swing (non-pedal) steel man in Canada during that era. I was fortunate to have taken a number of lessons with him, however I never achieved his fine ability.
Double neck guitars were very rare in 1945...at least here in Canada. Jack had a guitar maker friend in Winnipeg by the name of Bill Janz who custom made a double 6 for Jack...it was the first double neck guitar I had ever seen.
Jack played with Ameen Ganam who was the top western swing fiddle player anywhere across Canada. (His mentor was Spade Cooley). Ameen eventually left Edmonton for Toronto and became nationally known as "King" Ganam. Jack joined him in Toronto where they were involved with the CBC, (similar to the NBC network in the U.S.).
Jack, in his later years, moved over to pedal guitar and specialized primarily in jazz. I have some wonderful examples of his pedal jazz on tapes which he sent to me taken from his
appearances on the CBC 'Morningside' radio program.
While he was in Edmonton playing his D-6 Janz, he used the C#m and D9th tunings. I kept in touch with Jack over the years after he moved to his home city of Winnipeg from Toronto. However, there came an interval when the letters stopped coming...it was later I learned (via the Forum) with great sadness my friend Jack Mooney had passed away. |
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Don Walters
From:
Saskatchewan Canada
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Posted 1 Feb 2007 7:59 am
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This may be one of the last "public" pictures of Jack. Wayne Link presented a Lifetime Achievement award to him at the 1999 Mid-Canada Jamboree.
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J Fletcher
From:
London,Ont,Canada
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Posted 2 Feb 2007 2:30 pm
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Thanks for the info on Jack Mooney folks. I'd love to hear those Morningside radio spots, I listened to that show and Peter Gzowski's other radio shows from the 70's into the 90's, when he retired.
A couple of years ago a friend dropped by, and noticed the Jack Mooney record and said "Hey that's the guy my brother used to take guitar lessons from!" Not steel guitar, but "regular" six string. This would have been in Toronto during the early 70's or so.
Beautiful looking Rickenbaker steel that Jack is playing on the front cover. Looks like a double neck with 10 strings on the front, and 8 on the back...Jerry |
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David Cook
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 4 Feb 2007 7:48 am Thanks
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| Thanks for the info and link.It is always interesting and instructive to hear another good musician do "his" thing. |
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Stephan Miller
From:
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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Posted 4 Feb 2007 9:12 am
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| Jerry, Bryan, Keoki..... always ready for more swinging steel guitar, and I've enjoyed discovering (and listening to) Jack Mooney on this thread. Much appreciated! |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 4 Feb 2007 11:46 am
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The Rickenbacker Console Pedal Steel Guitar, shown on the album front, was specially built for Jack by Rickenbacker, of Santa Ana, California, and is a showpiece wherever Jack goes. Relax and listen as Jack plays it in a sparkling grouping of old favourites."
PERSONNEL: JACK MOONEY - Steel Guitar; VICTOR PASOWISTY - Ryhthm Guitar; BILL MANKISS - Accordion; BOB PHENIX - Bass; NORM JEFFERY - Drums."
All three songs are up-tempo country swing instrumentals featuring nice ensemble playing, and if you close your eyes, it's not hard to imagine a group of revelers kicking up their heels in a Winnipeg dance hall on a cold winter night.
Seven Come Eleven
Stay Out Of The South
Boggs Boogie
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Hi Everyone...The above is correct with one exception...the Rickenbacker Jack is shown playing on the cover was NOT a pedal guitar. This lp was made prior to his conversion to pedals. I honestly feel that Jack reached his pinnacle during his pre-pedal days. His single string technic was sweet and he really had a great swing vibrato if you listen very closely. This is not to say he lost anything when he changed to pedals. However those who followed his career will have noticed a "new" Jack Mooney with a new style never heard when he played non-pedal. Personally, while I loved "both" Jack Mooney's, I preferred his swinging non-pedal style. I think a similar situation occured when Juaquin Murphey made the big switch from non-pedal to pedal...just comprare Murph's non-pedal "Sweet Georgia Brown" to the later version he played on pedal. If you agree with me, the non-pedal really swung and his technic was nothing short of awesome. |
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David Cook
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 6 Feb 2007 7:14 am
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| Where can I hear J. Murphey doing "Sweet Georgia Brown" on non pedal steel? THanks |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 6 Feb 2007 11:03 am
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| I'm sure there are many copies of this great Murph classic floating around....Perhaps someone with the "know-how" could put it on the Forum. I'd do it, however the book "Computers for Dummys" was written especially for me ! |
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Bryan Bradfield
From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
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Posted 30 Apr 2012 5:44 pm
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I’m in a reflective mood tonight. In another thread, I’ve been talking about Johnny Allen. While extracting the Johnny Allen LPs from my stash, I tripped over the Jack Mooney album. I understand that shortly after Jack’s death, the steel, described earlier in this thread, went to Winnipeg, to a new owner. Does anyone know where it is today?
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Scott Thomas
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Mike Anderson
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 1 May 2012 7:41 am
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I'm really enjoying these revived Canadian steel threads - thanks for your good work Bryan!
Now, $1200 for a custom pedal/lap Rick console - if someone here doesn't grab it I think I'll faint. Good catch Scott! |
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Bryan Bradfield
From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
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Posted 1 May 2012 4:32 pm
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It seems that the original finish has been stripped off. It also "needs a tune-up"? I'll ask some questions.
Thanks Scott. How long is a long time, in your recollection? |
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Scott Thomas
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Posted 1 May 2012 4:54 pm
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| Not sure, but I think I can safely say 6 months, probably longer. Sorry I can't be more specific. |
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