Jim Baker- A Steel Guitar Christmas

Merrily we roll along to the big day with this album which I purchased for this holiday season just recently for $2 with discount.  I loves me some steel guitar.  Probably keeping these somewhat short until the end of the year.

According to the Web (as well as the record label), this album was done by one Jim Baker in 1974 for PowerPak Records out of Nashville, Tenn.  Most users who commented on this a) found it in a bargain bin and b) love this album. Born in Eldridge, Alaska in 1933, he grew up in Flint, MI.  After a stint in the army, he moved to Nashville in 1963 where he became a session steel pedal guitar player.  He worked with the Grand Ole Opry as well as Justin Tubb, Mel Tillis, Leroy Van Dyke, and others.  Baker would pass in 2008.  I believe this is the only work he recorded under his own name.

Really great little record.  Pretty straight forward steel guitar versions of Christmas songs.  For samples, I went with “Silent Night”, “Silver Bells”, and “The Little Drummer Boy”.  I know, I know.  Pick one sample and go with it.  Well, in the spirit of the season of giving, here is three.

Great little record.  Top Rated.

Leon McAuliffe- The Dancin’est Band Around

Here is a good ole piece of classic country music that has been sorely missed around here for the last month and a half.  It cost me $4.  When I started this blog, it would have cost me $1.

Leon McAuliffe was born right here in the great old city of Houston in 1917.  He was perhaps the greatest steel guitar player of his generation, not only paving the way for the instrument during the early days of Texas Swing country, but setting an influence which would be later picked up by blues musicians.  After playing with the Light Crust Doughboys, he joined Bob Wills band in 1936 at the age of 18.  He would play with Wills up until WWII in 1942.  Besides helping Wills compose “San Antonio Rose”, McAuliffe composed “Steel Guitar Rag” which is perhaps his legacy other than Wills’ calls of “Take It Away Leon”.

Texas State Historical Page on McAuliffe

After the war, McAuliffe formed his own band and had some success.  He also dedicated a good chunk of his life to teaching music as well as business and legal matters related to the industry.  McAuliffe would pass in 1988 at the age of 71.

This record was released long after his WWII service in 1963 on none other than Capitol Records.  Real good collection of songs that I like including “I Fall To Pieces”, “Walk On By”, and “From A Jack To A King”.  No vocals but a lot of excellent steel guitar.

For a sample, I went with “I Love You Because” because I really liked the opening slide line.

Satisfactory.