Various - Luke Schneider Presents Imaginational Anthem Vol. XI : Chrome Universal - A Survey of Modern Pedal Steel LP

The fantastic Imagination Anthem comp series continues with a survey of modern pedal steel players selected by Luke Schneider.

I was only aware of Barry Walker Jr. on this comp (who’s excellent LP Shoulda Zenith pushed the instrument into Sonny Sharrock-meets-kraut territory), but Schneider highlights the sprawling and varied contemporary use of the instrument, from plains-evoking ambience, to stringed accompaniment, to sliding microtonal composition, to out of this world zoners. Not a lot of honky-tonkin’ here, but a whole lot of incredibly good exploratory playing, with Susan Alcorn’s track being an early listen highlight—one to dig even deeper on!

Includes liner notes by William Tyler on the history of the instrument and short profiles on the players.

-Mitch