Isle Of Jura’s latest is a special release, the first solo outing from 72-year old pedal steel virtuoso “Evil” Graham Lee. The Western Australian, Perth and now Melbourne-based maestro has been recording and performing since the early 1980s. First as a member of The Triffids, then the Blackeyed Susans, while continuing to collaborate on countless sessions and projects. The most famous of these being with Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty’s KLF and Justified Ancients Of Mu Mu. 

Plaintive, peaceful pedal steel, of course, defines the 6 tracks on the album. Its cool, calming vibrato, glissando, its blissful, bent notes duetting, dancing with folky picking. Sometimes accompanied by sympathetic organ chords, sparse chimes and muted, twisted tones. Seeking Beauty In Sadness features a suitably melancholy tremolo’d melody. Nursery In The Beehive is a synergy of backwards, bagpipe-like buzzing and bowed symphonic arcs. A hypnotic mantra. Its core motif repeated like a chant. The stunning You Are My Sunshine surrounds the instrument’s singing with a serene sonic of shimmering drones and gently flickering, strobing, phasing effects. Echoing Eno & Lanois’ ambient landmark, Apollo Soundtracks, and Lee’s own chilled out contributions to The KLF. 

The long-player’s centrepiece, however, is the 15 minute title track. An incredible, country-fied raga, whose heavenly harmonics gracefully glide through sitar-like shapes into new age and kosmische soundscapes. Quietly evolving, expanding, introducing a little psychedelic swirling. Creating a score for contemplating eternity. Its relaxing resonance ringing. Distorting, dilating time. 

“Evil” Graham Lee’s I Think I’m Alone Now can be ordered directly from Isle Of Jura.