Fans of roots music, devotes of Americana, connoisseurs of down home tunes, collectors of the real thing and adventurers in hi-fi, gather round and pay your respects to Arhoolie. Sprung from the brain of founder Chris Strachwitz nearly fifty years ago, this label has scoured the nation in search of lost 78s and underappreciated artists who may not sell a million units, though they certainly stir millions of souls.
Pioneered by Florida's House of God, Keith Dominion, and the Church of the Living God, Jewell Dominion, churches, steel guitar-based gospel has thrived since the 1930s. During services, the napalm-fueled lap steel plays both lead and supporting roles on a wide range of gospel songs. Arhoolie has catalogued this stunning genre in five CDs and one video. Now, with this latest installment, Arhoolie has captured the steel players outside of the church. Recorded during the First Annual Sacred Steel Convention last year, Train Don't Leave Me presents the most varied range of any release to date.
Bryan "Josh" Taylor's "God is a Good God" blasts explosive steel licks , complimenting the throaty vocals provided by Taylor's father. More incendiary than a metalhead's trilling solos, Taylor's work also manages to be melodic and provocative. The result is as impressively technical as it is emotionally moving. Lonnie "Big Ben" Bennett's "See What the End Gonna Be" drops in Beatles allusions to create a dark, compelling hymn about time coming to a close. Gorgeous and fearless female vocals hold their own with the screaming pedal steel.
Music this poignant and original can't help but get God's attention. Such an inspired pairing of genres deserves your attention, too.
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