Earl “Joaquin” Murphey is one of the most influential steel guitarists in history. When Murphey first arrived on the Los Angeles music scene of the 1940s, audiences were captivated by the swinging creativity of his improvised solos. Steel guitar players were dumbfounded. Joaquin’s playing in Western Swing music with Spade Coolley, Tex Williams and others combined previously unheard rhythmic and melodic invention with an ear for modern harmony delivered with astonishing technique and consummate musicality.

PAULINE  appeared on Joaquin‘s last recording, the CD titled Murph recorded in the late 1990‘s. While Joaquin used his C6/A9 tuning with a high G first string, I have arranged the song in the standard 6-string C6th with a high E string. The tune combines Murphy‘s lush, big band-influenced harmonies with single notes all tied together by his incredible feel for melody.

C6^th TUNING (low to High) C E G A C E