Chuck Campbell plays pedal steel and lap steel and his brother, Darick Campbell, plays lap steel.

Sacred Steelers TUNINGS & Links to SOUND SAMPLES

Ann Fabian
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[This message was edited by Ann Fabian on 16 January 2001 at 08:46 AM.]

One thing that isn't apparent from their CD: there is no bass guitar in the group. Darick Campbell plays most of the bass lines on his 8 string lap steel. When Darick takes the lead, Chuck picks up the bass part on his pedal steel.

Darick's technique when he plays lead is amazing. He curls his little finger around either the volume or tone control and really gives it a workout for expression. I didn't see a volume pedal on Darick's steel. Chuck and Phil had gadgets galore.

I know they call it "gospel", and the message is religious, but Chuck Campbell is the best rock and blues pedal steel player I've ever seen. His technique when playing lead or rhythm rivals the guitar heroes of rock. I heard a lot of stuff that I didn't think was possible on pedal steel.

The place was packed, and I saw a lot of my friends there. Lots of musicians. Thanks, Ann, for posting this schedule. It was truly a night to remember.

[This message was edited by Bobby Lee on 21 January 2001 at 11:26 PM.]

Here's the inside scoop concerning the bass on the Campbell Bros album Arhoolie 461. We had a bass player lined up, but he cancelled out. The Bros. were in the studio at 9 am and finished everything by about 1:00 pm, as I recall. While the rest of us went out for lunch, Phil (the group's guitarist and a fine bass player) stayed to dub-in the bass part. By the time we returned--about 1.5 hours--Phil was done.

Once the Campbells started doing concerts it was a conscious decision to not take on a bassist. They were used to playing often without a bassist anyhow. Actually, playing with 2 steels is rather common in the House of God. Aubrey Ghent and his father, Henry Nelson, did it whenever they played together. Darick experiments with tunings, but I believe most of the time his bottom string is something like .078 tuned to a low B. And, of course, his DeLuxe 8 can give a nice bass tone.

If you'll look closely at musician credits on "Sacred Steel Live!" Arhoolie 472, you'll see there was no bass on several cuts.

quote:

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Any steel player who doesn't go out and see the Campbell Brothers if they have a chance is missing one mind blowing experience

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This morning I went back to see them perform for a room full of kids. What incredible excitement! There were probably about 300 kids jumping up and down, clapping, dancing and yelling.

After the kids left, Larry Jones and I got to jam with the Campbell Brothers while the sound crew packed up. I played my Sierra Laptop, and Larry played his D-8 Stringmaster. Four steels and a guitar - what fun!

My thanks to Chuck, Phil and Darick for bringing their wonderful show to my hometown. It was the most fun I've had in months.

These guys don't need pedals or gadgets, either Chuck or Darrick can kill me with a 6 string lap guitar, they can't help but make great music. Which is what is all about.