The Chetboard

One of my favorite renditions of this song was in WestergroovinI think. He had a simple intro and a great ending. also it's the first time I heard what I thought of as steel guitar licks (I always presumed that Chet Atkins and not a sideman had done them. They sounded like double note stops and really impressed me. Can anyone tell me if the steel guitar sounding portion of the tune was done by Chet? He sure knew how to come up with a fresh interpretation of a tune. Thanks.

Rich Irvine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xgbk1LMpSk

All I'm hearing is Chet and a backup group with an organ player noodling around in the back. I'm not hearing a steel guitar at all but then my hearing is not what I wish it was.

Rich,

I once remarked on this board that those double stop licks had stumped me. Craig Dobbins then graciously did up a tab of the noting. I think he published a link to the tabbing here, but its been perhaps a couple of years ago, so I'm not so certain of my memory. Perhaps Craig will follow up, if he remembers it better than I do.

Take care
Bruce

Chet would occasionally do a bit of overdubbing. Once he had Paul onboard those things could be duets when done live.
Not saying that applies here...

If you mean around 1:28, yes, that's double stops. The specific technique is one that Jerry Reed came up with, as in the 1969 version of Alabama Jubilee, or his solo on All I Ever Need Is You. Of course, Jerry played it on the Tele or Baldwin, so it sounded different.

I'm not sure where the link is, but I believe I included it in one of the Lick of the Week installments. It's based on a downstroke on one or two strings with your thumb, and the upstroke with your index and middle fingers.

When Chet gets it going, it sounds like the notes are bouncing around all over the place. A great track.

Craig

I want to thank all of you for clearing that up for me. I had wondered on and off over the years about those steel guitar like licks.

sincerely,
Rich Irvine