"Upon Request... A Musical Decade - Volume 1"

Back in the 70's "Reece" Anderson recorded 5 LPs as a way of promoting the MSA guitar, and later recorded another one that was released only in Europe. The material on these ranged from jazz to pop to swing to country.

Steel Guitar Forum members Mike Perlowin and Mike Brebes have selected the very best material from these 6 LPs, along with the 2 live cuts from Scotty's "Live at the Convention, Volume 3" and created 2 CDs that document Reece's work during this period.

These CDs, each of which clock in at over an hour and ten minutes, contain some of the finest music ever recorded on a steel guitar. Maurice Anderson has enjoyed a reputation of one of the world's greatest players for many years. These CDs show why.

1. What Kind Of Fool Am I
2. Forget It
3. Girl From Ipanema
4. Danny Boy
5. Tangerine
6. I'm Old Fashioned
7. Watermelon Man
8. Body & Soul
9. Ode To Billy Joe
10. Here's That Rainy Day
11. What Now My Love
12. Like Someone I Love
13. Satin Doll
14. San Antonio Rose
15. Big D Spree
16. On Green Dolphin Street
17. The More I See You
18. Hawaiian Wedding Song
19. Summertime
20. Meditation
21. Left Overs 

"Upon Request... A Musical Decade - Volume 2"

This is Volume 2 of the project described above. Volume 1 is mostly jazz, and Volume 2 is mostly pop songs of the era (1969-1979). The pop arrangements range from easy listening to disco.

Exceptions are the two live cuts from Scotty's Convention: "The Shadow Of Your Smile" and "Secret Love". These are extended "steel guitar jazz" arrangements with everyone's favorite backup band. Even if you're not into the pop music, those two cuts are worth the price of the CD.

1. A Thing Called Love
2. With Pen In Hand
3. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
4. Never My Love
5. Where Is The Love
6. If
7. The Twelfth Of Never
8. One Less Bell To Answer
9. The Candy Man
10. The Shadow Of Your Smile (8:00 live)
11. Secret Love (5:20 live)
12. How Deep Is Your Love
13. Just The Way You Are
14. Superstar
15. People
16. Best Of My Love
17. You Needed Me
18. The Way We Were
19. Send In The Clowns 

"Steel Play'n Texas Swing"

Reece goes back to his roots on this instrumental western swing album, which he cut on a 12 string non-pedal steel guitar tuned in C. Recorded in 1995, the set also features Reece's long-time friends Johnny Gimble, Kenneth Frazier and Curly Hollingsworth. While the band lays down that classic Texas sound, Reece's amazing technique glides on top. I can't get half of those chords out of my pedal steel! 

1. Roly Poly
2. Midnight in Amarillo
3. On The Alamo
4. Deed I Do
5. Honeysuckle Rose
6. Up The Creek Without A Pedal
7. Rosetta
8. Charmaine
9. Exactly Like You
10. Fat Boy Rag  

"The Universal Direction"

Originally released on LP in the 70's, this set of contemporary Christian songs features the master of the Bb6 "universal" tuning pointing towards "The Universal Direction". With a sizable orchestra and chorus backing him up, Reece stays within the lines for the most part. The result is a stunning tapestry of tone and touch that still sounds "contemporary" some 25 years later. Like the faith that inspires it, great music never goes out of style. 

1. Jesus Is Still The Answer
2. Give Them All To Jesus
3. Cornerstone
4. Gentle Spirit
5. Jesus (He Is The Son Of God)
6. Life Is Nothing (Until You've Met the Lord)
7. Rise Again
8. Whatever It Takes
9. You Never Gave Up On Me
10. What A Difference You Made In My Life
11. He's Coming Back

"Steel with Brass"

Reece recorded this collection of swing standards with a horn section in 1992. It features the hot jazz solos and complex chords that are his trademark, accompanied by an in-your-face horn section. It's hard not to be drawn in by this music - the arrangements swing like it's 1948!

Also included is a pop ballad called "Heart of Mine", a vocal duet featuring Reece's wife Teresa and (trumpeter) Dave Alexander. While it's a bit out of place on this big band album, the change is refreshing and the song is very well done. And of course the steel is gorgeous!  

1. Undecided
2. Stompin At The Savoy
3. Stardust
4. Red Top
5. Flintstones
6. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
7. You Don't Know Me
8. The More I See You
9. Heart of Mine (v)
10. Secret Love