Comments on: Pass Me Not: Sacred Steel Guitars, Vol. 2

By: Erstwhile X. Mnemoi

Erstwhile X. Mnemoi — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:33:05 +0000

As a long time fan of both old-time (30s-50s) and contemporary Black gospel music, I put this album at the very top of the mountain, with the best of the best. Katie Jackson has rock-solid roots deep in her faith and she knows how to fly. She gives her all. Every word hits you in the gut with the rightness of perfect conviction and perfect musical sense. This music is “not for form or fashion” but is as real as it gets, whether it’s Katie Jackson or Johann Sebastian Bach. And the Campbell Brothers rock! They’re live wires and they’re with her every step of the way. It doesn’t get better than this. Amen Hallelujah.
Rating: 5 / 5

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By: Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 05:54:28 +0000

Guess you can teach an old Episcopal dog new tricks. Until I bought this and Sacred Steel Live!, I used to think that the steel guitar was exclusive to white country bands. I had no idea of the central role the steel guitar plays in the music of Church of the Living God churches.

This album is unbelievable. The slow stuff is the very embodiment of soul and the uptempo stuff rocks as much as anything else out there. Katie Jackson is an exceptional singer, who deserves far, far more attention than she receives. And I can’t conceive of anyone else alive today who can play steel guitar better than the Campbell Brothers. Count me a huge fan.

Buy this. Buy it now.
Rating: 5 / 5

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By: S. Phineas Jones

S. Phineas Jones — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 04:39:11 +0000

I enjoy most styles of music, but there’s something mighty powerful about this stripped-down style of gospel. My suggestion for first-time listeners–wear a comfortable pair of shoes, because you’ll be tapping your feet a thousand miles a second (if not dancing around the house!). When I hear music like this, I also have a sense of sadness for all the folks that’ll never be exposed to this amazing form artistic and religious expression.
Rating: 5 / 5

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By: nadav haber

nadav haber — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 04:28:59 +0000

I never heard guitars talk the way they do when played by the Campbell brothers. They approach the guitar as a human voice, and they succeed better than anyone I ever heard.
With a change of the lyrics, this could have sounded like a truly great and innovative Chicago blues band. The difference is mostly in lyrics and in that the Brothers go all the way all the time – no laid back moment throughout the CD.
For some reason I prefer the tracks that were recorded without Kate Jackson (11-14). Make no mistake – she is an awsome singer. I just feel that if I could hear someone like Julius Cheeks, Archie Brownlee, or the soloists of the Caravans, the Soul Stirrers or The Swan Silvertones – backed by the amazing guitars of the Campbell brothers – I would never stop listening.
All the tracks are good – the opener is chilling, Mary Dont you Weep remains one of my favorites (“Pharoe’s army got drowned in the sea” – to me is a political agenda).
A spiritual CD to warm you up when your’e down and out.
Rating: 4 / 5

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By: lamar

lamar — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:42:38 +0000

And there is something about this CD. I had heard one of the Sacred Steel disc many years ago, but forgot how amazing it was. Looking at another person reviews, I saw some Arhoolie records and remembered how good of a label it is, and it all came back to me. Now i need it all. Makes me wonder how much more incredible music there is being played in our nation places of worship.

Im gonna make my out there to see these guys play in their church in Rush New York, they got the spirit.
Rating: 5 / 5

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