Aug 6, 1995

Bobby Lee's Quasar Steel Guitar
Album Now Available On CD

Album Cover
"None of that New Country shit."TM

This new recording features Northern California steel guitarist Bobby Lee and his friends playing 5 well known standards and 5 original compositions. The album was recorded in the winter of 1994-95 at Hoffmann Studios in Occidental, California, on 24-track digital equipment. It was produced by Bobby Lee and engineered by Joe Hoffmann. Songs include:

  • 1. Sagebrush Shuffle (B. Lee) 3:05 - A western swing / rockabilly instrumental featuring hot sax and guitar solos by Lynn Nelson and John Millar, respectively.

  • 2. Steel Guitar Rag (McAuliff, Travis, Stone) 3:19 - This classic western steel guitar anthem was recorded here with Cliffie Stone's lyrics.

  • 3. Round The Horn (B. Lee) 3:18 - Bobby wrote this uptempo Bakersfield style steel guitar instrumental, then threw in some Speedy West style rakes for excitement.

  • 4. Southern Sunday (Drake) 5:11 - Those familiar with this obscure Pete Drake chestnut may not recognize it in this slow, churchy arrangement. Sandy Nelson and John Millar take very tasty piano and guitar solos.

  • 5. St. James Infirmary (Primrose) 5:03 - This New Orleans funeral standard is the main vocal tune on the album. Backing "trombone" parts are provided by the steel guitar, while Phil Wood and Lynn Nelson provide Dixieland trumpet and sax solos.

  • 6. Alva's Occidental Melody (B. Lee) 4:42 - Another original instrumental, this dreamy ballad showcases Bobby's advanced chord stylings on the E9th pedal steel.

  • 7. Steelin' the Blues (Byrd) 4:04 - Jerry Byrd's classic instrumental has been filtered through years of affectionate performance. This rendition includes the lyrics Bobby learned from Harry Moore (author unknown), with Sandy Nelson providing the vocal harmony and honky tonk piano.

  • 8. I Walk Downtown (B. Lee) 4:00 - This fast blues/rock shuffle features Phil Wood on organ, Tom Bischoff on drums and Bobby's unique vocal style. It's also the only song on the album that uses distortion on the steel guitar.

  • 9. Theme Time (B. Lee) 3:51 - A "blues with a bridge", this jazzy piece is performed by a particularly hot quartet: Bobby on E9th pedal steel, John Millar on guitar, Fred Campbell on bass and Rich Rottman on drums.

  • 10. Sand (Iona) 4:29 - Andy Iona's traditional Hawaiian guitar masterpiece is performed here on an A6th Fender 8-string (no pedals). The song was recorded "live" in the studio, except for Fred Campbell's ryhthm guitar which was added in a later session.

    • A limited number of these CDs have been produced in a private pressing, as Bobby Lee has no label affiliation. Some real time cassettes are also being manufactured and should be available in a few weeks. Both packages feature excellent color graphic artwork by Michael Shuster and session photos by Jean Kay, aka "Mrs. Bobby Lee".