Customer Reviews

Steel Guitar Caviar!

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I play a little lap steel,and it never ceases to amaze me what people can do with this misunderstood instrument.I first heard him playing on Wayne Hancock CD's.This has a soulfull,jazz sound with some carefully selected players around him to complement the lap steel,theres not one bad track on this CD,and if you love the sound of the lap steel in a contempory setting ,just buy it,you wont be disappointed.

Following Jeremy Wakefield's important work with Wayne Hancock and his duo with Dave Biller, he finally releases a solo album. I am happy to report that it was well worth the wait! This album is packed with steel guitar sparklers. Unlike his work with Wayne Hancock, this is instrumental and compared to the Biller and Wakfield project, "Steel Guitar Caviar!" features little Speedy West & Jimmy Bryant style pyrotechnics. The prime directive here is Jazz. Songs like 'Tiny's Tempo' and 'Mugsy's Flop' play straight ahead Jazz. While some tunes focus on a Jazz esthetic, the entire project is cerebral. I've always thought that what separates Wakefield from his peers is his ability express loneliness. As minor keyed excursions, 'Blue and Drifting' and 'Mudslide' are two beautiful rides into forlornness. D.J. Bonebrake's vibes infuse an atmosphere of vintage elegance into compositions like 'Penthouse Serenade' and 'Delaware Drive.' Then again, how can you do a steel guitar album without a nod to Hawaii? 'Hawaii Creeper' satisfies this prerequisite. 'Red Garter' swaggers thanks to Carl Sonny Leyland's Hammond glory. While the organ can infuse a lounge flavor into this meal, done worry: it's done tastefully. Indeed, it is Wakefield's employment of the organ and vibes that make "Steel Guitar Caviar!" stand out from every other steel guitar album. There are no vocals and little guitar wizardry, yet this musical meal is very filling. The compositions, core band, improvisation, guest musicians and overall sound make this a rewarding steel guitar album. Thanks to a good recipe, quality ingredients and a master chef, "Steel Guitar Caviar!" is sonically nutritious and delicious!