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Soaring sounds of steel… with Zakia

Zakia takes a deep dive into the dreamy world of steel sounds from around the globe, with help from composer and pedal steel guitarist Joe Harvey-Whyte.

DJ, broadcaster, writer and dreamer Zakia Sewell provides the soundtrack to your dreams - playing music to ease the mind, soothe the soul, and open portals to new dimensions…

This week, Zakia takes a deep dive into a familiar yet mysterious sound that floats through so many genres, with a stack of selections that feature the ghostly wail of pedal and lap steel guitars. To guide us on our journey, composer and pedal steel guitarist Joe Harvey-Whyte introduces us to his chosen instrument, sharing some insights and selections.

There’ll be sacred steel from New York Pentecostal gospel group The Campbell Brothers, Nigerian highlife from Celestine Ukwu, and the virtuosic improvised sounds of Susan Alcorn.

Plus, we’ll venture through some other stringed instruments along our way, including the cello of Haitian-American musician Leyla McCalla, the Tuareg guitars of Tinariwen, Japanese koto from Aus, and Gaelic soundscapes from Amulet.

We want to hear your dreams! Send in tales of your sleepy adventures to dreamtime@bbc.co.uk or text us on 03700 100 600

A Reduced Listening Production for BBC Radio 6 Music

2 hours

Last on

Sun 8 Feb 202622:00
BBC Radio 6 Music

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Music Played

  • Darick Campbell

    End of My Journey

    • The Best of Sacred Steel: Praise Music from African American Holiness-Pentecosta.
    • Arhoolie Records.

  • Sol Hoʻopiʻi

    I Ain't Got Nobody

    • Master Of The Hawaiian Guitar (Volume I).
    • Rounder Records.

  • Leyla McCalla

    As I Grew Older/Dreamer (feat. Yah Supreme)

    • Vari-Colored Songs: A Tribute to Langston Hughes.
    • Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.

  • Celestine Ukwu & His Philosophers National

    Okwukwe Na Nchekwube

    • No Condition Is Permanent.
    • Mississippi Records.

  • Tinariwen

    Sagherat Assani (feat. Solafa Elyas)

    • Hoggar.
    • Wedge.

  • aus

    Uki

    • Eau.
    • EM Records.

  • Larrison

    Winter Wave

    • Connecters Vol. 1: Original Recordings, 1992–1999.
    • Freedom to Spend.

  • deer park

    Black Cat (feat. Ivy Knight)

    • Scenic Route.

  • Joe Harvey Whyte & Geir Sundstol

    Otra Mantra

    • Langeleik.
    • Hubro.

  • Joe Harvey-Whyte

    Pure Imagination

  • Joe Harvey-Whyte & Paul Cousins

    recur

    • in a fugue state.
    • None More Records.

  • Joe Harvey-Whyte & Bobby Lee

    Flatbed Alfalfa Run To Pueblo, Colorado Fall 1972

    • Last Ride.
    • Curation Records.

  • David Crosby

    Laughing

    • If I Could Only Remember My Name.
    • Atlantic Records.

  • George Harrison

    Behind That Locked Door

    • All Things Must Pass.
    • Apple Records.

  • Julieta Social

    Nuvem Nua

    • Julieta.
    • Seloki Records.

  • Stereolab

    Captain Easychord

    • Captain Easychord.
    • Duophonic.

  • Amulet

    Uamh an Òir

    • AMULET II.

  • Dr. Nico

    Limbisa Ngai

    • Eternel Docteur Nico.
    • Merveilles du passé.

  • Santo & Johnny

    Tenderly

    • Tenderly (Teneramente).
    • Produttori Associati.

  • Joe Harvey-Whyte & Geir Sundstøl

    Ribbles

    • Langeleik.
    • Hubro.

  • Susan Alcorn

    Hello Goodbye Hello

    • The Hired Hands: A Tribute to Bruce Langhorne.
    • Tail Records.

  • David Murphy

    Citi na gCumann

    • Cuimhne Ghlinn: Explorations in Irish Music for Pedal Steel Guitar.

  • Tashi Dorji

    gathering

    • low clouds hang, this land is on fire.
    • Drag City.

  • Velv.93

    Us

    • Maidstone.
    • STROOM.tv.

  • Félicia Atkinson & Christina Vantzou

    Film Still - The Sea

    • Reflections Vol. 3: Water Poems.
    • RVNG Intl..

  • Jamie Lidell and Luke Schneider

    The Story of Your Life

    • A Companion For The Spaces Between Dreams.
    • Northern Spy Records.

  • Sissi Rada

    Message

    • Nana Butu.
    • Ash International.

  • Heather Leigh Murray

    Island

    • Glory Days.

  • Kit Grill

    Cottongrass

    • Andoya.
    • Primary Colours.

  • BJ Cole & Icebreaker

    under stars part 2

  • Infinite Zest

    ambient music for goats

  • Gerry Rafferty

    Right Down The Line

    • City to City.
    • United Artists Records.

Broadcast

  • Sun 8 Feb 202622:00
    BBC Radio 6 Music