Bobby Black /Commander Cody

Bob Miano · Post by **Bob Miano** » 3 Jun 2003 9:26 am

Just dug out some older records of Commander Cody after the Lost Planet Airmen decided to call it quits. Cody's first 2 solo LP's billed as the New Commander Cody Band ("Rock & Roll Again" & "Flying Dreams")have some great pedal steel playing by Bobby Black.
Not the usual country and swing that Bobby played with the Airmen but more of a rock
style. Really cool stuff. If you get a chance to get these LP's, they're worth hearing, especially Bobby's stuff.
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Bob Miano
Bergenfield, New Jersey

GaryL · Post by **GaryL** » 3 Jun 2003 4:28 pm

I don't have the link handy, but there is an official Commander Cody website. They have the Lp's in CD format including "Country Casanova"; "Hot Licks, Cold Rolled Steel and Truckers' Favorites"; as well as several others. Some of these have been out of the record stores for a while. Good stuff. Long live the Commander!

Charlie Vaughn · Post by **Charlie Vaughn** » 3 Jun 2003 5:52 pm

If you can find the link please post it here. I really liked some of the Lost Planet Airmen stuff with Bobby Black, especially "Seeds & Stems Again"[This message was edited by Charlie Vaughn on 03 June 2003 at 06:53 PM.]

Len Cascia · Post by **Len Cascia** » 3 Jun 2003 5:59 pm

If you're into classic Bobby Black, check out his Live @ Skull Orchard CD on the Forum. You won't be dissapointed...

GaryL · Post by **GaryL** » 3 Jun 2003 6:42 pm

The web address is www.commandercody.com

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 3 Jun 2003 7:50 pm

What you have to have is "Live at Armadillo World Headquarters". One of the top 10 live albums ever released for my money, and just kills every step of the way. TONS of steel from Black.

One of the stories Cage tells about his NRPS years was that there was only one band they were ever nervous about going on after-Commander Cody-and they had to do it real regular for about 2 years, because they almost always traveled together. He says the Commander was one reason the NRPS was so hot live-they HAD to be. Really kept them on their toes. One of the best bands of the era, for his money. Mine Too!

JB

------------------
Fulawka D-10 9&5
Fessenden D-10 8&8
Mullen Royal Precision D-10 8 & 5
"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel
www.buddycage.net

http://www.nrpsmusic.com/index.html

Charlie Vaughn · Post by **Charlie Vaughn** » 4 Jun 2003 6:26 am

Thanks for the link Gary. I looked up this site and I enjoyed the reading. I found "Live at Armadillo World Headquarters" and "We Got A Live One Here" at Amazon.com. I ordered both. I had these on vinyl for several years but they got so scrathed that I couldn't enjoy them. Both are great and I am glad to get them on CD. Bobby Black is super on both recordings. Thanks again for the link.[This message was edited by Charlie Vaughn on 04 June 2003 at 07:27 AM.]

BobG · Post by **BobG** » 4 Jun 2003 6:42 am

Whatever happened to their first steel player ?... I think his nicname was "West Virginia Creeper"..

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Bob Grado, Williams D10 (lefty), Peavey 1000,
Profex ll.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 4 Jun 2003 7:38 am

We had a Forum disucussion about the Creeper a couple of years back - as I recall it was established that his name was Steve Davis. No one seemed to know what had become of him.

Walter Glockler · Post by **Walter Glockler** » 4 Jun 2003 7:44 am

According to the Commander' s website he was fired for "being too creepy".

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 4 Jun 2003 1:27 pm

The ol' Commander is still crankin it out, albeit with a cane now, but at least he's still with us, and you'll never find more fun and musicianship in one place. Check the record bins, there are 2 new mid 70s live releases. Command Performance, and a King Biscuit CD. Don't forget to boogie!

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[This message was edited by Ron Whitfield on 05 June 2003 at 02:11 PM.]

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 4 Jun 2003 2:50 pm

I just found an interview with Bill Kirchen. He said that the "Creeper" had started out playing bass for George Frayne (the Commander) and John Tichy in Ann Arbor Frat bands, and that he learned steel "for the occasion". Also that by the time they hooked up with Hoyt Axton in California, Steve Davis had quit the band.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 4 Jun 2003 2:59 pm

You can see a picture of Steve Davis (and brother Herb) here.

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 4 Jun 2003 3:46 pm

I think we also established that if you're too creepy to hang with the Commander, you've got some real problems....

JB

------------------
Fulawka D-10 9&5
Fessenden D-10 8&8
Mullen Royal Precision D-10 8 & 5
"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel
www.buddycage.net

http://www.nrpsmusic.com/index.html

john widgren · Post by **john widgren** » 5 Jun 2003 5:30 am

Friends;

The Ol' Commander will be playing at the Vetrock festival in Doylestown PA this Sat. Hope the monsoon ends before then. I'll be there with them...hope to see ya there. For more info go to www.commandercody.com. Best wishes..........JW

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 5 Jun 2003 8:05 am

Commander Cody just released a new live album; "River City Jumpin" - Live in St. Louis 2003. Great performance and with Don E. Curtis on steel. I dont know if it's on their website yet because it's brand new. Check it out!

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Brad Sarno
Blue Jade Audio Mastering
St. Louis

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 9 Jun 2003 12:45 pm

This thread inspired me ... I just got back from listening to "Armandillo Stomp," "Seeds and Stems," "Panama Red" and "Lonesome LA Cowboy" while driving.

Although it's been many years (and brain cells) ago, I think I got to see Commander Cody open for the New Riders three times -- great steel work by Bobby Black and Buddy Cage! And to think that was followed twice by a few hours of the Grateful Dead ...

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 9 Jun 2003 5:32 pm

See, those were just great shows. You simply don't see bands that good on the road anymore.

JB

------------------
Fulawka D-10 9&5
Fessenden D-10 8&8
Mullen Royal Precision D-10 8 & 5
"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel
www.buddycage.net

http://www.nrpsmusic.com/index.html

TRAP TRULY · Post by **TRAP TRULY** » 11 Jun 2003 10:09 pm

bobby had great tone live and in the studio. Ive seen pictures of him playing sho-buds and emmons. Does anybody know what he normally played?(steel and amp)

Gino Iorfida · Post by **Gino Iorfida** » 12 Jun 2003 3:59 am

Seeds and Stems ("Lost in the Ozone" version) sounds like a 'bud piped thru a Fender Twin to me, but I could be wrong. (no pun intended).

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 12 Jun 2003 5:15 am

As I recall, on one of their live albums -- "Live From Deep in the Heart of Texas" or "We've Got a Live One Here!" -- Billy C. Farlow introduces Bobby Black as "on the Sho-Bud pedal steel guitar."

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 12 Jun 2003 5:37 am

That's on "Deep in the Heart of Texas"

JB

------------------
Fulawka D-10 9&5
Fessenden D-10 8&8
Mullen Royal Precision D-10 8 & 5
"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel
www.buddycage.net

http://www.nrpsmusic.com/index.html

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 12 Jun 2003 11:48 am

I'm sure there must have been plenty of shifts in equipment even in the early years. I do seem to remember seeing a lot of shows in the early to mid 70s with a Sho-Bud Professional through an early Evans(?). I dimly recall an Edwards lightbeam pedal as well but, as with the rest, I'd be a fool to bet on it after all this time. Anyone else have a clearer memory???

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 12 Jun 2003 12:00 pm

Was "Live From Deep in the Heart of Texas" recorded on stage, or in a recording studio? It sounds too good for a live gig.

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 12 Jun 2003 1:36 pm

I assume you're asking if it was really recorded live at the Armadillo World Headquarters ... (?) [This message was edited by Russ Young on 12 June 2003 at 02:37 PM.]