Post by jptheprofessor on Nov 27, 2006 11:30:38 GMT -5
STERLING KOCH - STEELIN' HOME (Full Force Music) In early 2004, Sterling Koch was diagnosed with a herniated disc in his neck, which forced him to switch from playing conventional 6-string guitar to 8-string lap steel guitar. After spending the summer months in 2004 learning this new instrument, Koch released his first lap steel album, How I Spent My Summer Vacation. On his latest album, Steelin' Home, Koch sounds even more at home with his lap steel, and gives the instrument a healthy workout over his eleven-song 'Sacred Steel' exploration of blues, gospel, rock and soul flavors. Koch shows ample fluency on the instrument over the various styles he performs here, with constant clean and inspired solo work; he also sings and plays guitar, bass and some percussion. But Koch doesn't hog the spotlight with his own talent, frequently deferring the spotlight to his support cast; in particular, guest keyboard players George Grund and his Victory In Heaven Blues Band cohort Larry Adam, and Rick Young (Duck Soup Blues Band) on harmonica. In addition, Al Esis plays drums, and Jennifer Hollister and Debra Hydock provide jubilant backing harmonies. Much of the album finds Koch giving uplifting, swaggering interpretations to traditional gospel numbers; including Texas-styled blues rock treatments of the Holmes Brothers' "Jesus Is The Way" and "12 Gates To The City," honky tonk-geared renditions of "If I Could Not Say" and "If It Was Not For," and a Memphis soul-styled read of "God Is A Good God." Three of the album's tracks are instrumentals: the lap steel/piano-driven spiritual opening exercise "'A' Praise," a swamp blues interpretation of Rev. Gary Davis' "Keep Your Lamps," and the gospel-driven "Sing Until the Power," ending with Koch's lap steel singing out in its own glorious voice. Koch also gives a hearty R&B update to Bob Dylan's "Serve Somebody," and muscular treatments to the traditional "Mean Old World" and the Peter Green/Fleetwood Mac classic "Oh Well." Produced, engineered and mixed by Koch, the album sounds bright and full, with all components sounding crisp and representing well in the mix. Steelin' Home shows that Sterling Koch is making steady progress in his conquest of lap steel, and is an upbeat set sure to lift spirits and get toes tapping. (The CD can be obtained through Sterling Koch's website, www.sterlingkoch.com.)