Which is better Mooney's or McDonald's solo rendition

Gary Hoetker · Post by **Gary Hoetker** » 29 Aug 2017 3:57 pm

Both fantastic pieces of art and feeling. Do you like one over the other??

"Release Me"

Ralph Mooney
circa 1960 Challenge Records
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjZR_f1 ... e=youtu.be

Jay McDonald
circa 1963 Capitol Records
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC-4hyqxCEs

Thanks for watching.

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 30 Aug 2017 12:10 am

Mooney was clearly a big influence on McDonald's playing. and everyone else for that matter. can't mess with Mr. Moon!

Joerg Hennig · Post by **Joerg Hennig** » 3 Sep 2017 11:30 am

My first impression is, Moon sounds fresher, (I like his version better...), the Buck Owens version is a bit more laid back. While Jay McDonald certainly knew how to play, I can't help but think he somehow tried to copy Mooney. Ralph Mooney sure was one of the innovators of PSG as we know it and one of the most beautiful styles ever.

Larry Petree · Post by **Larry Petree** » 3 Sep 2017 11:44 am

In my opinion, Mooney came up with that great style, and all the rest of us have spent years trying to copy it. There are many that have done a great job with it, not easy to get the feeling Mr Moon had.

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 3 Sep 2017 3:12 pm

Moons version was first and best IMHO.. Jay sounded a LOT like Moon there, and it really did sound like he simply pulled off a real good copy of what Moon layed down a few years previous.. btw THAT vintage biting steel sound is terrific.. It was the progenitor of whats in use today.. Kind of sad its so far removed from what modern players are using...

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 4 Sep 2017 8:15 am

It's all subjective, so who can judge which is "better?"

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 4 Sep 2017 4:55 pm

Barry Blackwood wrote:It's all subjective, so who can judge which is "better?"

I agree. It's not an eye test

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 5 Sep 2017 3:54 am

Barry Blackwood wrote:It's all subjective, so who can judge which is "better?"

You can't say which one is "better" really, just which one you LIKE better. They are both terrific, but in my case I like Ralph's better.
I think thats kind of where the OP was going with this thread.. bob

Tim Herman · Post by **Tim Herman** » 5 Sep 2017 7:21 am

Very different treatment of the same melody. The original is quite brisk, the cover is slower. Both great, just different. Of course,there can only be one original...

Gary Hoetker · Post by **Gary Hoetker** » 7 Sep 2017 9:40 am

Thanks for posting !!

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 7 Sep 2017 10:20 am

I prefer Moon's version. His steel is more "present", fuller, out front. And there's more energy in his playing IMHO.

THAT vintage biting steel sound is terrific.. It was the progenitor of whats in use today.. Kind of sad its so far removed from what modern players are using...

I agree, Bob! There's nothing like the bite of a vintage steel played through a vintage tube amp. That sound is not found in today's steel guitars and solid state amps.

Russell Adkins · Post by **Russell Adkins** » 7 Sep 2017 4:15 pm

I like both , moons was a little more up front and the other laid back a bit but just as good imho.