Pete Drake - Forever

1. Forever
2. Spook
3. Sleep Walk
4. Melody of Love
5. My Bluest Day
6. For Those That Cry
7. I’m Just a Guitar (Everybody Pic…
8. Danny Boy
9. Red Sails in the Sunset
10. Still
11. Making Believe
12. Paradise

Pete Drake’s “talking steel guitar” effect was created when he sang through the pickup on his pedal steel, making a robotic sound that anticipated “Freak-A-Zoid” and vocoders by decades. On Forever, Drake uses the effect most extensively on “I’m Just a Guitar (Everybody Picks on Me),” but otherwise delivers more predictable fare on the order of an instrumental rendition of Bill Anderson’s “Still,” an entrancing steel guitar arrangement of Santo Johnny’s “Sleep Walk,” and an occasional original. A vocal chorus chimes in wordlessly or, as on “Sleep Walk,” by dreamily intoning the song title. Drake was a virtuoso and a sought-after sideman who deserved to step forward as a soloist. Forever is a treat for enthusiasts of the steel guitar and Drake’s ability, but only ones who also have a liking or tolerance for easy listening — the country music content on Forever is very low.

- Greg Adams, All Music Guide

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