AATW - Who's the Steel Player?

[b0b]

https://youtu.be/gT7vBmhRkGE

Loretta Lynn's classic "You Wanna Give Me A Lift", played by Asleep At The Wheel. Hot stuff! Who's the steel player?

[Jeff Garden]

Looks like Bobby Black, b0b...I could believe that, one of my favorites! https://www.discogs.com/Asleep-At-The-W ... se/6875227

[Joe Goldmark]

Wow, I missed that somehow. One of the best Bobby Black recordings ever!

[b0b]

I thought it was probably Bobby Black, but wasn't sure. The LP gives no credits, not even to singers Maryann Price and Chris O'Connell.

It's a strange record. You can barely hear the steel on most of the tracks. Ray Benson was definitely going in a "different direction" for a while there.

[George Duncan Sypert]

I was able to look this recording up and Bobby Black is listed at the steeler. I had copied it and was in the process of making a paste when good IE shut me down. Will try later. All personel were listed. Recorded in April of 1980.

George

[George Duncan Sypert]

early 1980 Sumet-Bernet Sound Studios, 7027 Twin Hills Ave., Dallas, TX - Asleep At The Wheel (Ray Benson [vcl/gt/tambourine], Maryann Price [vcl], Chris O'Connell [vcl/rh gt], Bobby Black [steel], Dean DeMerritt [el bass], Billy Estes [drums/percussion], Pat "Taco" Ryan [sax/flute], George Papich, Gloria Stroud, Jean Deason, John Meyers, Mildred Moxley, Angel Mitta, Norma Davidson, Peggy Miller [strings] + Steve "The Doctor" Kupka [sax], Spencer Starnes [bass], Tommy Allsup [bass], Fran Christina [drums], Jamie Oldaker [drums/percussion], Johnny Gimble [fiddle], Chris York/ Ron Snyder [percussion], Frank "Jalapeno" Rodarte [sax], Paul Ostermayer [flute], Robert Meyer [sax/trumpet], Bonnie Raitt [vcl-1]. Producer: Ray Benson) [Overdub sessions at Austin Recording Studio, Austin, TX/ Pecan Street Studios, Austin, TX/ Ruff Cedar Studios, Austin, TX]
069 MIDNIGHT IN MEMPHIS MCA-5131 MCA-39036
070 LONELY AVENUE REVISITED -1 MCA-5131 MCA-39036
071 SLOW DANCING MCA-5131
072 COOL AS A BREEZE MCA-51020/ MCA-5131 MCA-39036
073 YOU WANNA GIVE ME A LIFT MCA-5131 MCA-39036
074 MC-10146 DON'T GET CAUGHT OUT IN THE RAIN MCA-51020/ MCA-5131
075 WHATEVER IT TAKES MCA-5131
076 FIDDLE FUNK, CORN FUSION MCA-5131
077 UP, UP, UP MCA-5131

[Lane Gray]

Wally Murphy played the tour right after it came out. I'd labored thirty-five years under the impression that it was Wally on the record

[David Gertschen]

Here's Bobby Black playing a Franklin D10 with AATW in the B-movie: "Roadie", which came out the same time as their album in 1980. Actually, a pretty funny movie with Meat Loaf as the Roadie. Blondie, Alice Cooper, Roy Orbison, Hank Jr. and AATW all make cameo appearances...

[Pete Burak]

Wally Murphy played the tour right after it came out.

I saw AATW in 1981 at The Bottom Line in NYC. That must have been Wally that night. He was lettin' it rip and was having a great time playing with those guys. I didn't know who he was then (We were in 12th grade).

[Glenn Suchan]

Bobby Black really nailed it on that tune. I can understand why some thought it was Wally "Flying Fingers" Murphy on the song. The rapid single-note licks are his style.

Just a little note:

On the album cover, shown at the beginning of the YouTube, the steel picker (on the front row, far right) is John Ely. John played a Fender Stringmaster with AATW during the late 80's and early 90's.

Here's a 'Tube of AATW with John on steel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAClLZK70xc

And from around the same time with the band, Native Sun from a Texas Connection broadcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ_CBtA-r0A

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

[b0b]

Bobby Black really nailed it on that tune. I can understand why some thought it was Wally "Flying Fingers" Murphy on the song. The rapid single-note licks are his style.

Bobby can nail just about anyone's tone and style, as demonstrated in "The Black Brothers at Guitar Haven": https://youtu.be/GgbEKU1KoKk