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STME58
1789 posts
Aug 03, 2016
7:06 PM
I was asked to lead a song at Slo Jam this month. I heard a fun song sung by Cisco Houston a while back and have thought it would be a good one for the next time I got an opportunity to lead a song. IN researching it a bit more thoroughly, I bought versions by Sam Hinton and Elvis Presley. The Presley version is from the 1971 album "Elvis Country" and as I was listening to it I heard way back in the mix, an amazing harmonica part that was really adding to the drive and feel of the song in an almost subconscious way. To my ear it sounded like Norton Buffalo. Can anyone tell me who it was?
sydeman
169 posts
Aug 03, 2016
7:38 PM
Could be wrong but probably Charlie McCoy.
STME58
1793 posts
Aug 03, 2016
9:34 PM
The style is certainly similar to Charlie McCoy, but I did not see this album on his discography.
Owen Evans
178 posts
Aug 03, 2016
9:45 PM
Definitely Charlie McCoy. Here's the proof:

http://www.uncut.co.uk/features/elvis-presleys-elvis-country-different-planet-77689
STME58
1794 posts
Aug 03, 2016
10:25 PM
Thanks Owen, nice article about recording in the 70's with Elvis. When I chose it, I had no idea this novelty song was connected to such great musicians!

For the slo jam I need to see if I can prepare some semblance of Charlies lighting runs to add to the mix.
Thievin' Heathen
802 posts
Aug 04, 2016
5:01 AM
"For the slo jam I need to see if I can prepare some semblance of Charlies lighting runs to add to the mix."

Why not? Maybe throw in some Toots and Stevie too:)
STME58
1796 posts
Aug 04, 2016
9:02 AM
Thievin, I see you detected a note of hubris in my post that I did not get hidden behind the sarcasm. :-)

All kidding aside, I do think there is value in attempting to emulate great players. A lot can be learned, even though you never rise to the level of skill of the masters. I have been trying to learn "Orange Blossom Special" and even though it is slow and not so smooth, the work I have done on it has improved my playing. If I get too frustrated with the Charlie McCoy version, I could always switch to the Johnny Cash version!
STME58
1799 posts
Aug 05, 2016
2:30 PM
Owen Evans link to the Uncut article got me curious about McCoy. I was surprised to find out he played trumpet on son "Rainy Day Woman #12 and 35" on the Blonde on Blonde album link I have known Charlie McCoy as a great harmonica player, but I did not know he was a multi instrumentalist, a great leader and organizer, and someone who shaped the music scene behind the scenes.

Last Edited by
STME58 on Aug 05, 2016 2:30 PM
STME58
1803 posts
Aug 16, 2016
4:55 PM
Trying to play along with the Elvis Recording, I discovered it is in Ab. That seems like an unusual key. I am wondering is this is a recording artifact, perhaps it was in A and got slowed sown, or of it really was done in Ab. Does anyone know?
Martin
1054 posts
Aug 17, 2016
4:07 AM
Charlie McCoy has dipped his fingers in an astounding amount of musical projects, using various instruments. Had he just been sitting at home waiting for harmonica sessions he would probably have had a harder time making ends meet.

On the Ab key issue: Most probably, when it came to recording with a guy like Presley, you simply adjusted to the key he was most comfortable singing in.


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