The Little Darlin' Sound of Lloyd Green

The Little Darlin' Sound of Lloyd Green, by Lloyd Green (Little Darlin'/ KOCH). Pedal-steel country.

This instrumental rerelease, from tracks first issued in 1966 and '67, shows why Lloyd Green was one of Nashville's dominant pedal-steel guitarists. Spanning 20 tracks in a blaze of 42 minutes, Green shows an instrumental versatility that today's country musicians might imitate in speed, but not in substance. On "Peddle Paddle," Green's licks skip with the fervent urgency of a tap dancer hopping across hot coals (listen for the telltale chair squeak at the end, and picture the sweat dripping off Green's brow). But it isn't all speed and slippery licks; in "Touch My Heart," Green hits a mellow honky-tonk stride with resonant, palpable sadness. (Available at artistdirect.com)

Reviewed by Louis R. Carlozo, who is an entertainment editor and staff writer at the Chicago Tribune, an independent record producer and a studio musician.

COPYRIGHT 2004 The Christian Century Foundation
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning