Sacred Steel in Berkeley, CA

Bob Stone · Post by **Bob Stone** » 16 Oct 2000 6:04 am

Wed. 10/18 the Sacred Steel documentary video will make its world premier at the Pacific Film Archives 510-642-1412. We expect the video to be commercially available by about 1/1/01. I'll post details when I get 'em.

Fri. 10/20 it's the Campbell Brothers and Katie Jackson in concert at Freight and Salvage. 510-841-9955 or 548-7603.

Hope to see some Forumites there.

Best,

bob

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 16 Oct 2000 6:10 am

Hey Bob, Berkeley is a lot closer than Florida, but it's still too far to go to see a concert. How about booking one here in Los Angeles?

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 16 Oct 2000 6:37 am

With all due respect, Mike, this ain't just "going to see a concert". This is a 'happening'. Given your interest in seeing steel guitar make it in other genres of music, I'd really encourage you to make the extra effort. Maybe a cheap flight up? Calvin Cooke and the Campbell Brothers blew my mind.

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 16 Oct 2000 7:35 am

I am going there, and bringing my 14 year old, who is a big fan of the Campbell Bros. In fact, the Sacred Steel CDs are the only steel guitar CDs he lets me play in the car.....

I wouldn't miss this chance to hear two of the best steel players anywhere, in their prime, playing with one of the hottest bands performing today. Equivalent to seeing Buddy and Jimmy Day playing together with Ray Price in the early 60s.

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www.tyacktunes.com

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 16 Oct 2000 10:30 am

DUUCCCCKKKKK!!!!![This message was edited by Steve Feldman on 16 October 2000 at 11:31 AM.]

Peggy Green · Post by **Peggy Green** » 18 Oct 2000 10:34 pm

Hi, I just bought my ticket for the Friday Show at Freight and Salvage.

nelson · Post by **nelson** » 21 Oct 2000 1:06 pm

Bob: Can't wait to see the video when it comes out.

Any idea where I can find information on the tunings , what kind of double stops and scales the sacred steelers use?

I would love to start playing some things in such an expressive style.

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 23 Oct 2000 7:38 am

Nelson, don't worry about tunings, what is great about their playing isn't the licks, it's their expressive style of playing (as you have noted). Rather than worry about tunings and pedals, I would go out and buy a great gospel album (Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace is one of my favorites), and absorb the phrasing. These great Sacred Steel players are getting their ideas from the church, not from analyzing tunings.

IMHO....

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www.tyacktunes.com

Bob Stone · Post by **Bob Stone** » 23 Oct 2000 9:04 am

Had a big time in the Bay Area. The video looked and sounded great on the big screen at the Pacific Film Archives at UC, Berkeley. It seemed to go over really well, too. Arhoolie is working to design a package and get VHS tapes duplicated for commercial sale. The expected release date is February--maybe sooner. (Ditto for the SS Convention CD.)

The Bros put on a great concert at Freight and Salvage--better than ever. And Katie always gives it 110%.

Peggy, It was nice to meet you. Keep steelin'.

Mike, I don't book the Campbells. Check www.folkloreproductions.com for their itinerary. Guess you missed them at the Hollywood Bowl last year, eh?

The Campbells also did an in-store concert at Amoeba Records in San Francisco, which has to be the world's biggest record store--a mind blower. It was great to meet steeler Joe Goldmark, who is part owner. He gave the band the royal treatment.

I agree with Dan about how to approach sacred steel music; it's the feeling that counts, not the licks. Much of it is single-note leads which don't necessarily reflect the "flavor" of the tuning--IMHO. In my experience, to become fluent in a vernacular music genre you didn't grow up in, you must totally immerse yourself (in this case, listen to lots of recordings, go to church, etc.) for an extended period. Even then, it's hard to get it right.

Dan, it was good to see you and meet Josh and your mom.