>> The Campbell Brothers
bio: Just when it seemed that all the traditional forms of American music were identified, the soaring, moaning, and driving sound of ?sacred steel? guitars surfaced in the mid-1990s. American roots music was forever changed, as was the whole concept of what could be played on the steel guitar, an instrument most often identified with the plaintive strains of country music.
The Campbell Brothers were the first sacred steel group to tour extensively. They bring the burning, soulful music of the House of God Holiness-Pentecostal church to the public?music that stayed hidden within the walls of House of God churches for six decades. Chuck, Phil and Darick grew up playing for fiery and cathartic services conducted by their father, Bishop Charles E. Campbell. They developed their musical abilities playing for holy dancers, backing up congregants who sing spontaneously from the pews, and helping preachers take congregations to spiritual ecstasy. For years they paid their dues and honed their musical skills by playing for large church assemblies all over the eastern U.S., often driving all night to get home in time to report to their day jobs on Monday morning. Phil?s son Carlton grew up drumming in church and made his recording debut before he was fourteen.
The Campbell?s are recognized by their peers and a growing public as some of the finest House of God musicians and are valued as articulate ambassadors of sacred steel music. The band features three of the hottest lead musicians found in gospel music today. Darick coaxes a voice from his lap-steel that seems to speak to the very core of one?s soul. As a rhythm guitarist, Phil never fails to create a groove that moves. When he solos, his leads are always inventive and inspired.
In 2004, Chuck was awarded the National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts?our nation?s highest honor for traditional artists?for his role in integrating the pedal-steel guitar into House of God music. In doing so, he freed the instrument from the shackles of country music. Pedal-steel prodigy Robert Randolph has rapidly risen to popularity playing a secularized variant of sacred steel music that is heavily influenced by Chuck?s technique and equipment set-up. His first steel guitar was a Christmas gift from Chuck.
The music on this album is directly rooted in spirited House of God worship services, during which brothers, sisters and saints testify, cry, dance and shout. Services may last three, four, or even five hours if that is how long the Spirit moves the congregation. The Campbell Brothers bring that energy to us as they give old tunes fresh and exciting arrangements and serve up tasty new tunes which are simultaneously rooted in tradition and seasoned with funk, blues, R&B and jazz.
The blistering opening number, ?Framming,? is named for the word sacred steel guitarists use to describe the syncopated strumming played so infectiously here by all three brothers and punctuated by Phil?s jazz-inspired guitar solo. Although not a member of the family, Denise Brown has been a close friend since she and Phil attended high school together. Her treatment of ?Sign of the Judgment,? nested in the band?s inventive arrangement, works beautifully?and it should. They?ve been performing this song in church for years. Informed by funk and hip hop, ?Good All the Time? finds the band in a solid groove. Darick delivers a rich variety of voices as he solos on the eight-string lap-steel and producer John Medeski?s organ boosts the funky church ambience. Darick?s soulful instrumental version of Sam Cooke?s ?A Change is Gonna Come? breathes new life into this classic song by one of the greatest singers ever (who, by the way, came from a gospel tradition before going pop). Although not exactly a gospel song, the message fits the genre. It suits the band so well, they often play it in church. ?Power Lord? is another standard church number, complete with infectious syncopated clapping, that the group puts their unmistakable stamp on. Denise?s powerhouse voice takes us all just a little higher.
The smoking gospel train continues to build steam with ?Rallytime,? an original composition based on classic church call-and-response praise music. Chuck and Phil lay down cool chords to support Darick?s heartfelt leads as the band brings a fresh, hip interpretation of ?Amazing Grace.? Darick gives a nod of appreciation to the Mississippi guitar of Roebuck ?Pops? Staples with his inspired delivery of ?Don?t Let Nobody Turn You Around.? That heavy tremolo sound so popular in the fifties and sixties is seldom heard on steel guitar and Darick makes his talk. ?Don?t Let the Devil Ride,? a classic 12-bar blues in terms of musical structure, is popular among many of the sacred steelers, and it?s easy to see why. Darick leaves room for guitar wizard Phil to play a brilliant, steamy solo. Chuck fairly smokes his pedal-steel on ?Native Praise,? which takes its name from the familiar Hollywood Native American theme stated early in the piece. Yes, they really do play like this in church. Chuck?s composition ?No Mo? One Mo?? brings us back from the praise zone with passionately played solos by Darick, Chuck and Medeski.
Sacred steel by the Campbell Brothers. Can you feel it?
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