Pedal steel ace Orville “Red” Rhodes (1930-1995) was one of LA’s most in-demand session players during the late 1960s and early 1970s, lending his laid-back licks to hits by James Taylor, Linda Rondstadt, and The Carpenters. But Red was more than just a sideman. He was a band leader, fronting the house band at North Hollywood’s legendary Palomino Club between 1966 and 1969. He was an inventor, building custom amps and “Velvet Hammer” pickups out of his Royal Repair Shop on the corner of Cahuenga and Hollywood. And he was a good time: according to his most frequent musical collaborator, former Monkee Michael Nesmith, Red “smoked more dope than any man I knew.”
The 21 songs on this mix showcase Red Rhodes’ virtuosity and versatility, highlighting the role his unmistakable tone played in defining the LA country rock sound. words / m dawson
1. Intro/California Blues – Red Rhodes and the Detours
2. Cajun Honk – Red Rhodes
3. Wax Minute – Michael Nesmith and the Second National Band
4. People Love Each Other – Brewer & Shipley
5. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry – The Everly Brothers
6. Love Is All You Got – Future
7. Boney Fingers – Hoyt Axton
8. We Get Along – Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers
9. Sour Grapes and Coffee – Cass Elliot
10. Jay’s Tune – Red Rhodes
11. Have a Good Day – Frank Kinsel
12. Seven Bridges Road – Ian Matthews
13. Never Going Back – The Lovin’ Spoonful
14. Freedom and Liberty – Rick Nelson
15. Birmingham – Freddie Weller
16. Goodbye To Old Missoula – Willis Alan Ramsey
17. Theme from Mount Oread – Charley D. and Milo
18. Virgin Albatross – Bamboo
19. Country Life – Delaney and Bonnie
20. Harmony Constant – Michael Nesmith
21. Outro
Previously: Shaft’s Old Man: An Imaginary Soul Jazz Soundtrack — A Mixtape
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Thanks for the timely reminder… I’ve been meaning to revisit some of the music of my yoof, and Velvet Hammer In A Cowboy Band was one album I’d long forgotten about.
Best wishes from sunny France
Once again, the genius of AQ. Thanks for everything.
Love all of the high quality music that AD puts out. Is there a way to get dl links?
What a great idea. And a great mixtape it is, indeed!
Ahhh. Love Red. This is some good stuff to dig into, thank you. You missed two of my favorite main albums I know the dude from:
L.A. Turnaround – Burt Jansch (especially Fresh As A Sweet Sunday Morning)
and
John Phillips – The Wolf King of L.A.
cheers AD
It really doesn’t fit here, but Rhodes’s work on The Ventures In Space also is a personal favorite. A remarkable musician, and this is a wonderful mixtape/tribute.
Excellent mixtape, and thanks for compiling these great Red Rhodes tracks!
Saw the Leon Russell doc today, man, this fits just right!
Where does that “Cajun Honk” come from? Can’t find any trace of it online…
This is such a goooood mix!
Thanks for selecting, and thanks for bringing the
genius of ‘Ol Red back to my attention again!!