"Firebird Suite"

This astonishing work turned the steel guitar community on its ear when it was released in 1997. It features early 20th century classical works with a U-12 pedal steel playing most of the parts. I'm familiar with the orchestral works that Mike has presented here, but I never expected to hear them on the steel guitar. Neither did the composers, I imagine! This is one of my all-time favorite CDs. 

1. Fanfare for the Common Man (Copland)
2. Prelude No. 2 (Gershwin)
3. New Year's Song No. 4 (Bartòk)
4. Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun (Debussy)
5. Le Petit Nègre (Debussy)
6. Gymnopèdies No. 1 (Satie)
7. Polka (Shostakovich)
8. The Maid with the Flaxen Hair (Debussy)
9. Firebird Suite (Stravinsky)
10. Good-bye Pork Pie Hat (Mingus)

"West Side Story"

What Mike did is absolutely brilliant. He has explored the instrument we know and love with all its possible textures, and woven it together into a cohesive whole. And when I listen to it, I’m not thinking, “Gad! It’s West Side Story being played on steel.” I simply play it a lot because I enjoy listening to it. 

1. Prologue pt. 1/Jet Song/Prologue pt. 2
2. Somewhere
3. Something's Coming
4. Blues
5. Tonight Tonight
6. The Dance at the Gym:
   I: Scherzo
7. II: Mambo
8. III: Cha Cha
9. IV: Jump
10. Maria
11. Officer Krupke
12. America
13. One Hand One Heart
14. The Jets Are Gonna Have Their Way Tonight
15. I Feel Pretty
16. Cool
17. The Rumble
18. A Boy Like That
19. I Have A Love / Finale