Skunk Baxter & The Doobie Brothers

David Cutter · Post by **David Cutter** » 2 Jan 2003 3:10 pm

I heard on the radio the other day, “South City Midnight Lady”, by the Doobie Brothers. You don’t hear it too often. I think the cool steel in this song is typical of the rock steel in the early seventies. At least this type of steel caught my ear and I fell in love with the instrument. I think Skunk Baxter is the player.
David

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 2 Jan 2003 3:23 pm

That was Skunk Baxter playing PSG on "South City Midnight Lady." He was still with Steely Dan at that point, but joined the Doobie Brothers later in the 70s.

I'm not familiar with any Doobies songs featuring him on pedal steel after he joined the band ... is anyone else?

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 2 Jan 2003 3:27 pm

I remember our band playing that song when it was a new song; but, that was before I started playing steel. I don't even remember it having steel in it.

Now, I guess I have to buy a belt to get my old turntable working again so I can listen to the record.

------------------
Lee, from South Texas
Down On The Rio Grande

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 2 Jan 2003 5:42 pm

Russ Y-you forgot "Neals Fandango" off of "Stampede"

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 3 Jan 2003 8:09 am

Ture story: Too embarressed to be otherwise.

I was working with a small band in Macon GA. I think the early 70s. Some suit came up and said to me: The Doobie Brothers are looking for a steel player in Atlanta. I'd never heard the name and thought it was a joke. I replied: The DOO-BIE Who ?? He walked off and I'm still here doing nothing.

Oh Well !! I won some but lost a lot more....

Regards, Paul

Gord Cole · Post by **Gord Cole** » 3 Jan 2003 12:27 pm

David:
Ditto!!! I still play the recording of that song often. Like it a lot!
Gord

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 3 Jan 2003 12:32 pm

Didn't Skunk record "East St. Louis Toodle-oo" on steel? Can't remember which album, though.

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 3 Jan 2003 1:06 pm

Yes -- Skunk Baxter played the pedal steel on "East St. Louis Toodle-oo." If I recall correctly, it was on Steely Dan's Pretzel logic album.

And you're right Paul -- I HAD forgotten "Neal's Fandango." You think I'd remember "On the hills above Santa Cruz ..." <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Russ Young on 03 January 2003 at 01:09 PM.]</p></FONT>

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 3 Jan 2003 1:13 pm

Interesting Doobie link for this alblum: http://www.dvdangle.com/reviews/review.php?Id=2799

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 3 Jan 2003 1:32 pm

Yep, I remember playing that on steel when
that album came out. The guys in my band
just loved that tune. One of the guitar
players that I'm still with runs thru those
chords (even to this day) when he's warming
up & checking his guitar out before a gig.