Amazon.com These 16 sides were selected from the more than 50 that guitarist Bryant and pedal steel player West cut in Los Angeles between 1951 and 1956, when they were also most in demand as country--and occasionally pop--session men. Forty years later, these are still considered the hottest, most fully realized, most musical instrumentals in the history of country. West's slashing, muscular steel lines send out sparks, while Bryant's bop-influenced, breakneck guitar cuts clean as a scalpel. Using the guitar-steel pairings of Western swing as a jumping-off point, these guys created a jazzy body of work that many guitarists are still trying to decipher. --John Morthland
Best Pedal Steel AlbumSeptember 1, 2009 Solomon Thomas(Bangalore, India) Piece of history worth collecting. Where I come from probably people will need a wikipedia to search for unknown instruments. However I heard them in 1990 and was longing to own my very own copy of this album. Finally Amazon made it happen online. Collector piece, great recording quality and a must have for those who like A mix of Jazz, country and bebop.
Ahead of their time!!!June 24, 2004 B. Swenson(Grand Junction, CO United States) 9 out of 10 found this review helpful
HOT, HOT, HOT!!! One of the best instumental albums you'll ever hear. Inventive, creative, original. As Jimmy's son points out, he was Leo's torchbearer with the tele. According to George Fullerton, Mr. Fender's right-hand man, he and Leo were at a club in Riverside, CA, looking for guitarists to "test drive" this new invention. During a set break they approached Jimmy, who took it, sat on the edge of the stage and began picking. As George related the story, all in attendance stopped what they were doing, gathered around and watched Bryant pick away. It, I'm sure, was an historic moment.
Thankfully, the combination of Mr. Bryant and Mr. Fender's invention can be heard in its purist form. Teamed up with Speedy (and that name is accurate) West, you have an album that cooks. Remember, this is the 1950s, and there are no tricks here. As pure and clean as it gets.
Be prepared to be sent into the stratosphere!
The epitome of pickin' and grinnin'November 28, 2003 Twice-lived(Lyons, CO United States) 10 out of 10 found this review helpful
Originals and souped up country standards, played at warp speed, with sock rhythm and bop lines. My favorite is "Arkansas Traveler" as a I-vi-ii-V song instead of the traditional I-IV-I-V.
Just get it and hold onto your seat !!!!!!March 25, 2003 john bryant(Seal Beach, California) 26 out of 27 found this review helpful
My father, Jimmy Bryant, played the heck out of his Telecasters - in fact, he was the first artist to play a Fender guitar for Leo Fender. If you play guitar and have never heard him play, this may scare you to grasp the thought of him doing this in the early to mid 50's - just think about being the first to play a solid body electric guitar without having someone else to copy chops from - and it sounding like this! Hope you like it - you can read more about my dad at ... Kind regards, John Bryant
Where's Mary?May 22, 2002 David Bradley(Sterling, VA USA) 9 out of 11 found this review helpful
To those of us coming from a more Pop point of view this CD sounds like a ruralized Les Paul--lots of flash and a 2/2 beat.
The never-ending debate about which cubby hole to stuff Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant into (are they Country? C&W? Jazz? Country Jazz? Pop Country? yadda yadda yadda?) is less than interesting to me. Whatever it is they're playing, I like it.
"Stratosphere Boogie," "Arkansas Traveler" and "Flippin' The Lid" are the highlights for me. West/Bryant understood the difference between showing off by picking at 1000 miles an hour and delivering a tune with a pit of flash and panache.
