Search - Lucky Oceans :: Secret Steel

How deep the oceans

K. R. Williams | melbourne, australia | 02/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Secret Steel

Lucky Oceans (Head) four and a half stars



As Lucky Oceans has opened the ears of Australia on his musically explorative ABC radio show "The Planet" so too has his own vision widened. His enhanced breadth of tastes is reflected in "Secret Steel", a beautiful album that not so much genre hops as embraces various musical threads as filaments in a continuum. The elements include strains from West and South Africa, Ireland, Louisiana, Western Swing, and the so-called ''Sacred Steel'' school of church musicians of the US, whence sprang Robert Randolph. Oceans, a co-founder of the Western Swing outfit Asleep at the Wheel, confirms his reputation as one of the finest exponents of the pedal steel guitar. Here is proof that the oft maligned, much misunderstood instrument's microtonalities can express extraordinary emotionality. It helps that he is abetted by an exemplary ensemble: Dave Brewer, ever tasteful guitarist for the Mighty Reapers and the Catholics, drummer Ric Eastman and bassist Matt Willis. Bill Rogers, Oceans' bandmate in Fremantle's Zydecats, adds harmony vocals on "Two Trains", where Lucky makes a rare outing as a singer. The music is all Oceans originals, apart from a sublime rendering of the yearning Irish-Louisiana ballad "The Banks of the Ponchartrain". The band dig deep into the blues (or is it gospel?) on "In the Stillness of the Night" and pick up their heels for a Cajun workout on "Junior's Breakdown", where Lucky moves to Dobro and button accordion. This is Oceans' first album under his own name in more than 20 years, and more than worth the wait. Each listening brings fresh pleasures."