Every song could use a little pedal steel guitar, and Gordon Lightfoot’s “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” is no exception.
On the 51st anniversary of the actual shipwreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, it’s only right that we shine a light on the tragic sinking of the freighter that sank in Lake Superior in 1975 and resulted in the death of 29 crew members. The tragedy was memorialized by Gordon Lightfoot in his 1976 song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” on his 1976 album Summertime Dream, and remains one of his signature songs.
I’m sure you’ve heard this a time or two:
“When suppertime came, the old cook came on deck sayin’
‘Fellas, it’s too rough to feed ya’
At 7 p.m., a main hatchway caved in, he said
‘Fellas, it’s been good to know ya’
The captain wired in he had water comin’ in
And the good ship and crew was in peril
And later that night when his lights went outta sight
Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”
It’s a hauntingly beautiful song… and believe it or not, it sounds even better with some pedal steel guitar played on top of it.
For my money, the pedal steel guitar is the most underrated instruments that exists. Its sound is unmistakable. Its style is incomparable. Its presence in any song is like a musical blanket that makes the listener feel warm and right at home. And for the most part, country music is the only genre that features it.
There’s a pedal steel player by the name Asher Roseman that has been doing the Lord’s work for quite some time by adding pedal steel guitar to songs that didn’t originally include it. Whether it be Lynyrd Skynyrd or Alice in Chains, this talented pedal steel guitarist feels the song out and introducing the instrument where he sees fit.
In his latest video, he tipped his cap to “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” on the 51st anniversary of the actual wreck itself. Chances are you’ve never listened to Gordon Lightfoot’s hit song and thought it needed something extra. After all, it is a perfect example of artistry and authentic storytelling.
But I’m here to tell you that the addition of pedal steel doesn’t hurt anything:
“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot… with Pedal Steel Added by Asher Roseman
How good is that?
I love that simply because I didn’t know I needed it. Sometimes that’s how the most life-changing things come into your life, you know? It was a very fitting tribute by Asher Roseman, and he’s kind of cornered the market in adding pedal steel to songs that don’t have it. Give him a follow if you want to see more of his work.
I’d also be remiss if I didn’t shout out the band that Asher is a part of: Overserved Again. If you’ve got some spare time, make sure to check them out. There aren’t many up and coming bands out there putting pedal steel on a pedestal, but Asher Roseman and Overserved Again are doing just that:
