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While a very enjoyable disc, it has issues. Indeed, if the listener is looking for steel guitar music of integrity, stick with Speedy West, Buddy Emmons or Jon Rauhouse. The arrangements are straight-forward and show little artistic interpretation. This is one fun listen. Indeed, pop is the primary treatment here -not country, rockabilly, jazz, rock or Hawaiian. For an instrumental recording, the improvisation is seldomly spirited. "Totally Hot Nashville Steel Guitar" is a fun listen. How.
While pop is the primary vehicle, a variety of musical styles somehow filter through. It would seem that the issues I've chronicled would deliver the kiss of death to any disc, but somehow "Totally Hot Nashville Steel Guitar" manages to redeem itself. As a final strenth, let's not forget about the CD's artwork. Some songs employ synthesized drums. For starters, the album is trapped in a hum-drum pop box. The greatest strength is the unique song choice.
Finally, the project commits an unforgivable sin. Unlike the hype on the CD case, there are no masters on this recording. It's packed with tons of standards and neat TV songs like 'Night Life,' 'Sleep Walk' and 'Stand By Your Man.' The 'Star Trek Theme' is almost worth the price alone. This is a good musical choice for those instrumental enthusiasts who find too much twang in real country or those steel guitar devotees with a sense of humor.
Who ever thought about the Star Trek Theme being a Steel Guitar instrumental. This is one of the most unique Steel Guitar projects ever recorded. From Country to Mexican, from waltzes to Hawaiian and Movie Themes, there's a little bit of everything, played with musical mastership. Kayton Roberts' version of "Bells Of St. Mary" is simply beautiful, the whole recording mixes styles so well that listening to the record is pure pleasure.
Great disk. This'll show some of those Musical Expets what Country Pickers can do.
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