Sacred Steel Live! CD

Incendiary would be one good word to describe this disc, which is one of those rare gems that come along every now and again that works on many different levels. It features various artists captured spreading their joy and faith with their passionate celebratory music, with the electric steel guitar being the dominant instrument in the music of these groups. This disc was recorded at two different House of God churches, a coffeehouse, and the Strawberry Spring Music Festival, and the sound quality is of the high quality that you have come to expect from Arhoolie. The pedal steel guitar is the king on this disc, yet in support of it the singing is equally as strong and unrestrained. Particularly notable is the inspired singing of Katie Jackson and Denise Brown. Then there is Ted Beard making his pedal steel mimic a train in appropriately enough "The Train" and the sharp and biting blues guitar of Phil Campbell stretching out on "Don't Let the Devil Ride." The whole disc from top to bottom is highlight after highlight. ~ Bob Gottlieb

Campbell Brothers,Calvin Cooke Ted Beard,Robert Randolph++

Includes liner notes by Robert L. Stone.

Personnel: Calvin Cooke (vocals, guitar, lap steel guitar); Charles E. Campbell (vocals, guitar); Denise Brown, Elwood Haygood, Katie Jackson, Ted Beard (vocals); Willie Eason (guitar, lap steel guitar); Harvey Shaw, Charles Flenory, Phillip Campbell (guitar); Darick Campbell (lap steel guitar); Darryl Brundidge, Carlos Fox (keyboards); Ivan Shaw, Carlton Campbell (drums).

Recording information: House Of God Church, Rush, NY (03/14/1998-05/30/1999); State Assymbly House Of God, Cr (03/14/1998-05/30/1999); Strawberr (03/14/1998-05/30/1999); Twelve Corners, Coffee House, R and M Acres (03/14/1998-05/30/1999).

Photographer: Robert L. Stone.

Compilation producers: Phillip Campbell, Charles Campbell, Robert L. Stone.

Dirty Linen (2-3/00, p.56) - "...one of the most amazing collections of gospel music ever recorded....Fans of roots music will especially enjoy this album due to the visceral punch of the music and the directness and power of the various voices."