Speedy West Steel Guitar (CD)

Speedy West was country music's first pedal steel guitarist. From 1950 to 1956, he and his partner, country-jazz guitar virtuoso Jimmy Bryant, were part of an exciting, vibrant country scene in Los Angeles.

On this album, appropriately titled Guitar Spectacular, Speedy offers a dozen spectacular reasons for his success. The tunes are all originals Speedy wrote specifically for the 24-string console he plays like no one else in the world. Some of them are played at breathtaking speed, with Speedy's lightning-fast fingers moving at a dizzying pace. In contrast to these “Wild West” swingers are several slow and dreamy “mood” numbers that offer a compelling demonstration of the shimmering and beautiful sounds possible on this versatile instrument when played by its true master: the incomparable Speedy West!