" Sterling Koch, a nationally recognized lap steel guitarist, specializes in playing Chicago-style, slide guitar blues in a contemporary style on the lap steel guitar." Sterling Koch is a well known solo artist and session musician, whom has not only performed at many nationally known venues, but has also been the opening act for Savoy Brown, Rick Derringer, and Blackfoot to name just a few. "Slide Ruler" is Sterling's 4th solo album dealing with the music of the Steel Guitar, with his others being "Steel Guitar Blues", "Steelin' Home" and "How I Spent My Summer Vacation."

 

"Slide Ruler" consists of 12 interesting and dynamic Tracks of which Sterling Koch was responsible for writing 1 (Track 1 "Slide Ruler"), and co-writing 2 along with Debra Hydock (Track 8 "I'm A Bluesman") and Mike Naydock (Track 12 "The Sun Will Shine"). For the covers on "Slide Ruler", Sterling chose a really great lineup of tunes, which to name a few, included Track 3 "Dimples" (John Lee Hooker/James Braken), Track 5 "Sleepwalk", "Sleep Walk is an instrumental steel guitar-based song written, recorded, and released in 1959 by brothers Santo & Johnny Farina", Track 6 "Stop Messin' Around" (Peter Green/C.G. Adams), and Track 10 "Taylor's Rock" (HoundDog Taylor).

 

In addition to a great lineup of songs, Sterling Koch also chose a great lineup of artists for "Slide Ruler", which featured Tommy Shannon on Bass and Chet McCraken on Drums. Tommy Shannon is a Legendary Bassist whom has performed with Stevie Ray Vaughan, as a member of Double Trouble and whom also formed, along with fellow Double Trouble member Chris Layton, the groups Arc Angels and Storyville. Tommy Shannon also played with Johnny Winter at Woodstock in '69. Chet McCracken is a Grammy nominated Drummer whom joined the Doobie Brothers in 1979. Chet McCracken also recorded and/or toured with America, Kim Carnes, Nancy Sinatra, Rare Earth, Stevie Nicks, Hank Williams Jr., and Joe Walsh, to name just a few. Sterling Koch plays Lap Steel Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, and does all the Vocals on "Steel Guitar".

 

Special Guests on "Slide Ruler" included Larry Adams (Keyboards), Bret Alexander (Rhythm Guitar Track 11), Rob Allison (Rhythm Guitar Track 10), Jim Juranis (Rhythm Guitar Tracks 2,3,8), and Jack Kulp (Harmonica). "Slide Ruler" was Produced by Bret Alexander, Mary Koch, and Sterling Koch.

 

"Slide Ruler" starts off with the title Track which is one of the Tracks written by Sterling Koch and is also one of 3 instrumentals on "Slide Ruler", with the other 2 being "Sleepwalk" and "Taylor's Rock". The opening title Track is only 122 seconds long, but it still sets up the beginning of "Slide Ruler" perfectly, almost like when the Drums are rolling at the beginning of a show before all the band comes on stage.

 

The nice thing about "Slide Ruler", was that it really had a lot of nice Blues Styles on it, which ranged from slow and soulful blues “Double Trouble”, to Peter Green's shuffle infused “Stop Messin Round”, to the full tilt rocker "Taylor's Rock".

 

With "Slide Ruler", Sterling Koch used his forte, being the Lap Steel Guitar, like a fine chef, whom seasons his meal just the right amount, allowing it's freshness to come through, without over powering it.

 

As for favorites on "Slide Ruler", their were quite a few, but the ones that were slightly more enjoyable for me were, Track 2, Dion Demucci's "If You Want To Rock & Roll", Track 3, John Lee Hooker's Harmonica Infused "Dimples", and Track 5, "Sleepwalk", which I was not only quite surprised to hear on this album, but pleasantly surprised, as well. "Sleepwalk" was a perfect Instrumental for Sterling Koch to show his Lap Steel Guitar mastery.

 

All in all, "Slide Ruler" was the huge treat that I thought it would be, and more. Great Vocals and Guitar work by Sterling, along with not only well written tunes on his part, but well interpreted covers for the rest of the Tracks. His Featured and Guest Musicians, brought all they had, to the show, and it all came together magically on this album.

 

"Slide Ruler" was my first introduction to Sterling Koch and I really can't wait to hear more new stuff from him in the, hopefully, near future.

 

Highly Recommended and Thoroughly Enjoyed...

 

Review By John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)