Jeffrey Silverstein – Petal Steel : Playlist

Jeffrey Silverstein’s album You Become the Mountain was released in early April. It’s become my go-to album when I’m in need of some soothing, quietly affirming, binaural tones. It’s ambient, affirmative, extremely pretty, and a little weird. Which makes sense considering that the record’s inspired by the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, meditation, long-distance running and Silverstein’s experience as a special education teacher. The album is difficult to classify – reminiscent of the Sea and Cake, while electronic beats and excellent pedal steel playing abounds. It’s great. I asked Silverstein to make a guest mix knowing he must have impeccable taste, and he complied, with a playlist of several favorites and several songs new to me. Have a listen to the mix – and definitely have a a listen to You Become the Mountain.

In Jeffrey’s words,
“Over the past few years I’ve become enamored with the pedal steel guitar, an extremely emotive and versatile instrument. Somehow I wound up with Barry Walker Jr- one the best PDX-based pedal steel players playing alongside me. He’s turned me on to a lot of great players and I continue to be drawn to ambient/psych-leaning musicians who are using pedal steel in a new context. For this mix I’ve highlighted some of my favorite music featuring the instrument both new + old. Enjoy.”

Tracklist:
Pete Drake – Forever
Buddy Emmons – Wild Mountain Thyme
New Riders of the Purple Sage – Last Lonely Eagle
Lloyd Green – Tell Ya What
Bert Jansch + Red Rhodes – Fresh as a Sweet Sunday Morning
Sand – Who Ya Trying to Fool
Marisa Anderson – Into the Light
Suss – The Walk Home
Chuck Johnson – Calamus
Barry Walker Jr – First Life
Webb Pierce – Slowly
Susan Alcorn – And I Await the Resurrection of the Pedal Steel Guitar
Daniel Lanois – Panorama
Michael Grigonia – Millpond Way
Luke Schneider – Anteldium