Sacred Steel On Tour

by Chris NicksonThe Campbell Brothers can play up a storm, there's no doubt about that. It makes no difference whether they're in church or in a club, the place becomes sanctified by their gospel offering -- which musically is heavily tinged with rock, blues, and more than a smidgen of soul. While their studio album excited, they need the free rein of live performance to really let go and, from the start of "Thank Ya'," this is a full-tilt show. Well, it's more than that -- it's a service, with Rev. William Scott testifying and the gospel singing of Katie Jackson and others, led by the stinging and virtuosic steel playing of Chuck and Darick Campbell, with brother Phillip contributing some stinging lead playing. Whether moving through a slow song like "I'll Fly Away" or letting it all go during "A Prayer Meeting at Mary's House," they read each other as only siblings can. About the only odd piece out is a cover of "Put a Little Love in Your Heart," which never quite achieves liftoff. But when they do reach critical mass, the stratosphere's the limit, and you'll hear steel playing like no one else can manage, working off each other, pushing it further and further, like the very best jam band. They temper themselves toward the end, in tracks recorded at religious functions, but the intensity is every bit as high. If you don't want to go to church but still need a helping of the spirit, it's like having a revival in your living room.