Classic 12-string Recordings

[honkytone]

Been goofing around with the Seagull 12-string I got from one of our Forum bretheren, and thought I might make a compilation CD of some classic songs featuring 12-string guitar.  Not acoustic, necessarily; in fact just as likely electric, but whatever.  The very first that comes to my mind is The Byrds "Turn, Turn, Turn."  How about some of your favorites?

[Johnny M]

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
A lot of Gordon Lightfoot and Eagles come to mind off the top of my head

I'm looking forward to seeing what this thread produces - there must be a lot of great 12 string songs out there.

John in Japan

[Denis]

Suite Madame Blue from Styx had a great intro piece on the album Equinox called Prelude 12.  I still remember how to play it but it just doesn`t sound the same on a six.

How about:

Give a little bit - Supertramp
Crystal Ball - Styx
Substitute - The Who
Tears go by - Rolling Stones


Just off the top of my head..

BTW, how`s that Guild 12 string treating you John in Japan

[unclrob]

Bryds,Beatles,Hollies,Kottke.
Little wing by Hendrix
Curtis Mayfield.
i play a lot of stuff on 12,Soul,blues and rock.

[hcole]

If my memory serves me correctly SRV's- Life By the Drop was on a twelver.  The acoustic version of Plush by Stone Temple Pilots is another one.    

[dbirchett]

A lot of Gordon Lightfoot songs were played on a 12. Others sound pretty good. Paul Simon played a lot of 12 string. For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her is a great example.

I had a bluegrass album (LP) with a lot of 12 string on it (unusual for bluegrass) that have Glen Campbell with the Folkswingers (better known as Doug and Rodney Dillard, Mitch Jayne and Dean Webb -- the original Dillards) and the Kentucky Colonels (Clarence and Roland White) backing Tut Taylor playing a 12 string dobro. Very interesting album.

[jmhyer]

Agree about the Lightfoot stuff.  Canadian Railroad Trilogy is one of my favs and I think it was done on a 12.

Not sure about specific songs, but John Denver played a 12 quite often.  Maybe Calypso was one of his songs done on a 12.

[naboz]

I would have to sit and think...think, think, think (as Pooh said, tapping his head);
I really liked the influence Kottke and Lightfoot have had on my 12 string playing, Pat Metheny too!
Rob, you can play Little Wing on the 12!!  SRV's  version is the cat's--well, moan, not meow. Smokin'!
Yes, Canadian Railroad Trilogy is great on the 12 (I think any Lightfoot sounds good on a 12), how about South City Midnight Lady (Doob's), Jack Pine (on Metheny's "White Album"), I used to play Kottke's Busted Bicycle. I'll think of more later...

[Dr. Evil]

I always thought that Preston Reed's 'Pointing Up' was some great 12 string playing. Very much influenced by Kottke and Fahey.  

[Caleb]

coming around -- travis

great song w/ a great 12er in there.  

[Fredmando]

I am not sure which one this is--but I have a Led Zeppelin--The BBC Sessions CD that has some great stripped down performances of their songs. It is either "Going to California" or "That's The Way" that I think would sond awesome on a 12-banger.
Also, any Doobie Brothers but Black Water comes to mind.
This sounds like a cool idea,
Fred

[Johnny M]

I was playing around on the 12 today and played Dust in the Wind by Kansas ... I don't know what the original recording is, but it sounded very nice on a 12

Does anyone know if this was originally recorded on a 6 or 12 string guitar?

John in Japan