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Topic: Hot Club Of America, Priceless |
Ron Brennan
From:
Orlando, Florida, USA; Formerly, Edison, NJ
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Posted 14 Jan 2005 8:37 am |
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If I may, 1st, let me direct you to the Steel Players section on this forum. The topic is
"Tribute to a great steel guitarist: Jody Carver" posted by Roy Ayres. It's just wonderful reading.
2nd. I am compelled to write about my experience with HCOA & Mr. Carver.
On this forum, I had heard about some rare CD's of Jody Carver, recent inductee to the SG Hall of Fame. And, since I like to collect music, weighted to Steel Guitar music, like a many members here, I figured I'd place an order, what the heck!!
So, a few day's ago, I sent a total of $23.00 in money order form, to Mr. Jody Carver, HCOA, PO Box 548, Milford, PA 18337, for two CD's, HCOA and Arthur Godfrey, Talent scout show, 1955. I received a cordial e-mail from Jody Carver, that I would be receiving my order, shortly, and did I mind that he signed the cover? I quickly responded in the affirmative. Sure enough, I received the two CD's last night…………. Thennnn, I plug in.........
What I heard was simply, unbelievable. I was knocked off my feet. What I heard being played on the Steel guitar by Mr. Carver and Guitarist, Johnny Cucci in the HCOA Session was way ahead of its time. Suffice to say, these musicians were on the cutting edge, in the best sense of the word. Some of the best recordings ever made, in most genres of music, were recorded during the mid-50s. The music world was in a renaissance state, at that time. HCOF is one of these classics. It will absolutely thrill you, to hear what Jody Carver laid down on that Fender Stringmaster so long ago. He is truly a musician’s musician. I submit to you, "It don’t get better than this!" WRONG!!!!
Oh yes, it absolutely does get better!!! So I catch my breadth and I put on the live Arthur Godfrey Talent Scout show CD. Ladies and Gentlemen, this had to be the Steel guitar music shot heard around the world!! The Big, Big, Bang… This young man, of about 25 years of age, blew away Godfrey, the CBS studio musicians, the audience and me, 50 years later. Folk's, you can even hear Mr. Arthur Godfrey, a television mega-giant, with an audience of millions, jumping out of his skin . This is one of the most raw & powerful demonstrations of musicianship that I have ever heard, by anyone. And on a Fender Stringmaster no less!! Live!!! No reverb, no echo delay, no pedals, no effects, 50 years ago. Just pure, huge, raw power...The player, a Stringmaster, Volume pedal, Amp, that's it!! "It don't get better that this!!" WRONG AGAIN!!!!
This is where these CD's are "Priceless". On the Godfrey CD, you hear Mrs. Carver, Jody Carver's mother, in one of the most poignant, touching dialogues you can possibly ever hear, with Arthur Godfrey. You will laugh, you will chuckle, some of you will even have your eyes water. Yes, you will be emotionally moved. PRICELESS
I put it to you, as Roy Ayres says it, your collection is incomplete, if you don't have these in your library. Just PRICELESS.
Mr. Carver, you are really something!!!
Get well soon, Mr. Carver. And get back to work on that book!!
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"55" Stringmaster D8,"59" Stringmaster D6
"67" Telecaster,
"60"Fender Concert Amp 4-10's
[This message was edited by Ron Brennan on 14 January 2005 at 08:41 AM.] [This message was edited by Ron Brennan on 14 January 2005 at 08:42 AM.] [This message was edited by Ron Brennan on 14 January 2005 at 08:43 AM.] [This message was edited by Ron Brennan on 14 January 2005 at 08:47 AM.] |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 14 Jan 2005 8:45 am
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The HCOA has been one of the best kept "secrets" of the past 50 years...the only two who ever came close to the HCOA were Jimmy Bryant and Speedy West, however as good as they were, (and they were great), they paled to HCOA which is without doubt a "classic" and should be studied by any and all who think it cannot be done without pedals. Jody will never admit to it, (he is too nice and modest), but he is without a doubt a genius on the STRINGMASTER. Hey pal, get rid of that flu' bug !  |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 14 Jan 2005 9:35 am
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 [This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 28 January 2005 at 12:24 AM.] |
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Dave Van Allen
From:
Doylestown, PA , US , Earth
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Posted 14 Jan 2005 9:39 am
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for those who may not have visited:
MY TRIBUTE SITE TO "HOT CLUB OF AMERICA IN HI-FI!"
http://dvanet.net/hcoahome.html
With Jody Carver's aid I have included many photos and a history of the people and circumstances surrounding this "unique American music album rarity"
I have been a fan since my wife first discovered this LP at a yard sale, some 15 years ago... I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to see the eventual re-release of this amazing record...and privileged to know Mr. Jody Carver!
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"I've got the 'ZB Jeebies™' !"
"Pickin' it 'old school' on the Pedizzle Stizzle"
1998 Zumsteel U12 "Loafer" 8&6 :: 1973 ZB Custom D-10 8&5 :: Vintage Fender 'Tube' Amplification
www.dvanet.net :: zbcustom73@dvanet.net :: www.lasttrainhome.com
:: My Tribute to the Hot Club of America in Hi-Fi
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 16 Jan 2005 11:09 am
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| Isn't that a Fender 1000 on the cover?? |
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Ron Brennan
From:
Orlando, Florida, USA; Formerly, Edison, NJ
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Posted 16 Jan 2005 1:53 pm
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Tim,
You have sharp eyes...  Your are right. From what I understand, Jody Carver played his Stringmaster with his group, HCOA, in the recording session. Mr.Leo Fender prevailed in having Jody promote the new Fender 1000 on the album. I didn't post this earlier, but who ever wrote the liner description inside the CD cover did a great job. It's full of historical information, as well. Enjoy.....TX
rgds,
Ron
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"55" Stringmaster D8,"59" Stringmaster D6
"67" Telecaster,
"60"Fender Concert Amp 4-10's
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 16 Jan 2005 2:03 pm
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My favorite tune on the cd is Swamp Fire. Jody & Johnny cut through this Django-esque tune like a hot knife through butter!
Alright, make that margarine.....gotta watch the cholestorol. |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 16 Jan 2005 2:05 pm
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It was I who wrote the liner notes Ron.
If you read it again you will note that I was playing a triple neck Custom and not a stringmaster. I did the Godfrey and Como shows as well as the Sullivan "really big shoe" with a Custom triple neck as well.
Sorry I thought I had made that clear in my liner notes. I think the best of both worlds are both the stringmaster and the custom.
I love them both.
Thank you for your compliments. I appreciate them.
Jody edited to add..that the photo of Don Randall that was published in the LA Times after my Godfrey show was NOT correct..I played my Custom triple on that as well. Leo
always wanted the latest on the LP cover and he promoted the stringmaster as he was phasing the trapeziod pickups out and promoted the stringmaster. Ditto with the 1000.[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 16 January 2005 at 02:08 PM.] |
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Ron Brennan
From:
Orlando, Florida, USA; Formerly, Edison, NJ
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Posted 16 Jan 2005 6:59 pm
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Jody, thanks for the correction.
As you can tell, I enjoyed reading those liner notes.
One of my favorites is "Wabash Blues". Godfrey really went for that one & so did I.  TX
rgds,
Ron
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"55" Stringmaster D8,"59" Stringmaster D6
"67" Telecaster,
"60"Fender Concert Amp 4-10's
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 17 Jan 2005 3:45 am
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 17 Jan 2005 12:13 pm
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Ron
Wabash Blues was not something I was proud of recording on the hcoa. It may have been acceptable on the hcoa recording to some but a far cry from the live recordings of the Godfrey and Perry Como shows.
Thanks for your kind words.[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 17 January 2005 at 12:15 PM.] |
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Ron Brennan
From:
Orlando, Florida, USA; Formerly, Edison, NJ
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Posted 17 Jan 2005 1:34 pm
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Jody,
I agree, while I liked both versions, the live version was indeed amazin....how you made that steel sound like that is beyond me. As a matter of fact, to me now, if I didn't know better, it was like hearing a Louis Armstrong solo....you made Arthur Gofrey a convert....he was just absolutely incredulous, and so was I.....You went wild on that steel....I guess in a controlled session, it takes the spontaneity out of it. But to be sure, I liked the HCOA version too! 
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"55" Stringmaster D8,"59" Stringmaster D6
"67" Telecaster,
"60"Fender Concert Amp 4-10's
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Dan Sawyer
From:
Studio City, California, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2005 2:09 pm
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| So, Jody was playing a custom, not a stringmaster. Hmmm… |
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Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 17 Jan 2005 2:29 pm
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Kick him out of the Stringmaster Club!
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Dan Sawyer
From:
Studio City, California, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2005 2:52 pm
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| Dave Van Allen, nice tribute site you've got there. I've had the HCOA record for about 5 years now and enjoy it, especially Jody's playing. After reading on your site about jody's tunings and how he likes to retune quickly during a song by turning the pegs, it gave me an idea. Why not use the "extenders" made by Hipshot? Jody could instantly get another note by turning the tuning peg. And it would always be in tune. |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 17 Jan 2005 5:04 pm
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Joey
If thats how you feel..I'll sell my Customs and my Emmons and buy all the stringmasters I can". Anyone want a Mint under the bed Emmons original owner and 40 hours playing time on it? Its not going to go cheap.
I know I know.....move this to "Buy and Sell"
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Stephan Miller
From:
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2005 5:06 pm
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| Dan And Joey--D: :...nice alley-oop, guys. [This message was edited by Stephan Miller on 17 January 2005 at 05:07 PM.] [This message was edited by Stephan Miller on 17 January 2005 at 05:10 PM.] |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 18 Jan 2005 5:30 pm
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Well I just got my copy of HCOA today. I put it in my CD player and hit "play" - and man oh man! Jody Carver and Johnny Cucci hit the ground running with "Miserlou" and never let up for a second after that. Now I know what all the fuss is about - this is a momumental album!
Then smoke started coming out of my CD player, so I had to put a fan on it and wait a few minutes before I played it again. Jody just tears it up all through this record - he deserves all the accolades he has received and more! And the immortal Johnny Cucci - there was just no stoppin' those lightening fingers . .
Great great music, and magnificent steel playing! The need for tweed indeed - Jody is The Man! |
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Patrick Newbery
From:
San Francisco, California, USA
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Posted 21 Jan 2005 9:47 am
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Jody-
Do you take PayPal? I'd love to get copies of HCOA and teh Aurthur Godfrey Talent Show. |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 21 Jan 2005 9:54 am
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No
Money order or certified check |
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Stephan Miller
From:
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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Posted 21 Jan 2005 4:23 pm
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| Hi Jody, by now I hope you've received my money order for two copies each of the HCOA and the Godfrey show, and I hope I included enough for shipping a double order. Please let me know if there's any problem...can't wait to hear 'em! -Steve |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 21 Jan 2005 7:12 pm
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Hi This is Lorrie Carver.
Your payment was received today. Your cd's will be shipped as soon as I can get them to the post office. It may take a while, we are expecting a snow storm and may not be able to get them to you right away.
This is the last run of the hcoa and Godfrey cd's.
Thank you for your order.
Lorrie Carver. |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 23 Jan 2005 12:25 pm
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| Now I've listened to the Arthur Godfrey CD - and it is truly remarkable even in this day and age. The studio orchestra was kicking major butt and Jody was getting some wild effects years before FX pedals came into existance. His playing on these recordings is nothing short of incredible. If this is the last run of these CDs, you better get yours quick! |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 23 Jan 2005 1:44 pm
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Howard and Rick will be taking over my chores as I leave for my place in the George W.Bush administration.
Thank you..you have been a great bunch of guys.  [This message was edited by Jody Carver on 23 January 2005 at 01:55 PM.] |
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