Home » Music » Song of the Day
Pedernal by Susan Alcorn
From the album
Album Title: Pedernal
Label: Relative Pitch Records
Released: 2020
Listen
Sign in to view listen count
About the Album
“Pedernal,” the title track of Susan Alcorn’s new album. The album opens a new chapter for the Baltimore-based Alcorn, introducing her as a composer with a vision as subtle, bracing, and beautiful as her pedal steel playing. This fearless project is built around some of her deepest musical relationships, including those with guitarist Mary Halvorson, bassist Michael Formanek, and drummer Ryan Sawyer. Also featured is new Alcorn collaborator, violinist Mark Feldman, an artist she’s wanted to work with since seeing him perform with pianist Sylvie Courvoisier some years ago. “Pedernal” opens with Alcorn’s gracefully slithery pedal steel line suggesting a dark, minor blues that’s joined in an undulating caress by Formanek’s lithe bass. Descending chords introduce the second section as the band steps into the gathering maelstrom, eventually resolving into a beatifically lyrical theme that seems to summon the abiding power of the iconic vista. Over the past quarter century Alcorn has blazed a singular trail on the pedal steel guitar, transforming an instrument inextricably linked to the music of Nashville and Hawaii into a vehicle for improvisational flights untethered to any particular idiom. Best known for her work as a solo improviser, she’s a master of impromptu duo encounters who’s also comfortable mixing it up with larger ensembles like the London Improvisers Orchestra and Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra.
Tracks
Pedernal; Circular Ruins; R.U.R.; A Night in Gdansk; Northeast Rising Sun.
Personnel
Susan Alcorn
guitar, steelMark Feldman
violinMichael Formanek
bass, acousticMary Halvorson
guitarRyan Sawyer
drumsReviews
- Pedernal by Troy Dostert
Date featured
March 4, 2021
This song appears by permission of the contributing artist and/or record company.
It is for personal use only; no other rights are granted or implied.
Tags
About Susan Alcorn
Instrument: Guitar, steel
Related Articles | Concerts | Albums | Photos | Similar To