Curly Chalker hot picking- New to me

[Greg Cutshaw]

This song was pointed out in another thread but Curly's playing is so stellar that I think it deserves it's own thread:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz58afPAQt4

The intro is great but the solo in the middle is mind blowing starting at around 0:56

[Greg Cutshaw]

Here's a link to the whole album:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh9LLzn ... y4&index=2


I wasn't even in the running has a great solo that includes some authentic fingerstyle guitar. That could be Bobby Garrett.

[Joe Krumel]

Yep Greg,that officially blew my mind. His tone and chord voicings are just beautiful.

[joe long]

If you want to blow your mind then listen to an old Carl Smith album "I Love You Because". To me it is Chaulker at his best.

[David Wright]

I was raised on Curly, My dad's favorite steel player.as a very young boy my Dad took me to see Hank, and Curly...WOW... Curly had 2 fender bassman, and a Fender 2000...When I started playing in 1970, I was able to get to know Curly in the MSA time he played one...I love you because and good deal Lucille on the Carl Smith are steel my favorites rides he took..He plays with such excitement... Great post here Greg..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bfUwOQ ... 4&index=10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FxEpdys85g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5QmnozPTL8

[Ron Hogan]

Great thread y’all

[Bob Carlucci]

thats mind blowing.. You just don't hear playing on that level and its hard to comprehend that its even possible... Now, what kind of guitar would he have been using at this time??.. Doesn't sound like his later sound when he always seemed to be playing MSA guitars. As much as I appreciate Curly and consider him in the top 1 or 2 best pedal steel players of all time, I never cared personally for his tone with MSA guitars. Too deep and rich for my taste, I prefer a bit more single coil twang on top.. However, I loved the tone he had on these samples!...Was he using a Sho Bud at this point? Thats kind of what it sounds like to me...

[Dave Zirbel]

I had not heard the Hank Thompson stuff with Curly. Thanks for posting.

I'm guessing Curly must be playing playing D-8 Fender 1000 on that record. It was recorded the same year as the Travis album, 1963.

[Bob Carlucci]

I had not heard the Hank Thompson stuff with Curly. Thanks for posting.

I'm guessing Curly must be playing playing D-8 Fender 1000 on that record. It was recorded the same year as the Travis album, 1963.

I knew he played a Fender early on, but I thought he might have switched to Bud guitars at some point.. The tone on the posted recordings is not really typical of other guys using Fenders at the time.. Curly was one of a kind no matter what brand he played...

[Tom Jordan]

I echo Bob's post and great find, Greg!
Curly was just plain special.

Tom