Slide Show

Album Review

Asleep at the Wheel alumnus Cindy Cashdollar shows she's the equal of any male in her field, and on Slide Show, she pays tribute to some of the people and styles that have influenced her during her outstanding career. Listen to "Twin Guitar Special," where she handles a pedal steel with all the deftness and melodicism of the great Leon McAuliffe on a piece of classic Western swing. But she's just as comfortable playing a lap steel or resophonic slide, as on the title cut, where she duets with Steve James to brilliant effect. She shows her dobro skills on the classic "Milk Cow Blues" accompanied by John Sebastian on vocals, harmonica, and second dobro (and sounding better than he has in years). There are plenty of other guests (including Marcia Ball, Johnny Nicholson, and Jorma Kaukonen, among others), but the undoubted star of the show is Cashdollar herself, switching instruments with remarkable deftness, and showing an inventiveness and sense of melody and timing that's often staggering. Without a doubt, the world needs more like her.