Jeremy Wakefield – Steel Guitar Caviar!
Eccofonic Records EFCD03
Delaware Drive – Sugar Foot Stomp – Dark Circles – The Red Garter – Taking Off – Hawaii Creeper – Tiny’s Tempo – Mudslide – Hugh’s Blues – Mugsy’s Flop – Penthouse Serenade – I Wish I Were Twins – Blue and Drifting – Steel Guitar Jive
Jeremy Wakefield was called by his peers the “Steel Guitar Wizard,” a nickname he didn’t usurpate. His discography resembles a “Who’s who” of today’s real country music. Just have a look at a few of his collaborations: Dave Stuckey, Deke Dickerson, Wayne Hancock, the Smith’s Ranch Boys, The Hot Club Of Cowtown, without forgetting his own bands: The Lucky Stars and The Bonebrake Syncopators. Sadly, Jeremy Wakefield has kept a very low profile regarding gigging and recordings in recent years. The last album I bought on which he was credited was Charlie Thompson’s Foothill Sessions.
At least we can still continue to explore his discography and be amazed by his prowess. In 2005, he recorded a solo album for Deke Dickerson’s Eccofonic Records, venturing into the jazz fields. For this project, he was helped by many fine musicians from the bands he played with (Russ Blake, DJ Bonebrake, TK Smith). Joey Altruda, Jonathan Stout (Campus Five), Jake Erwin, Whit Smith (Hot Club Of Cowtown), Chris Sprague (Sprague Brothers, Deke Dickerson), and Carl Leyland completed the line-up.
The final result is a mix of Western swing and Bebop with a pinch of Speedy West, and a solid dose of talent everywhere. What makes this album so good is the cohesion. This is not Wakefield AND the band; this is Wakefield WITH the band. Of course, you have plenty of steel guitar, but it never sounds like a sterile demonstration of his skills. The tunes flow effortlessly, giving each and every one a chance to shine.
Listen to Steel Guitar Caviar on Spotify.
Fred “Virgil” Turgis