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Topic: Campbell Brothers - YOWZA!! |
Greg Simmons
From:
where the buffalo (used to) roam AND the Mojave
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Posted 8 Oct 2004 8:00 am |
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Once again proving that, in sincere and eminently capable hands, the steel guitar is the most beautiful instrument in the world (well, except for bagpipes, but I digress…)
The Campbell Brothers took the stage for 2 shows at the exquisite Arden theatre in St. Albert Alberta, Canada Sunday October 3.
With Darick on lap steel (Sierra  and Chuck on pedals (Excel keyless with 9 pedals, 7 or 8 knees), plus Phillip on some amazing "armpit" guitar, everything from rhythm to searing blues lead and especially that ultra-cool MIDI piano and Hammond B3 stuff.
Rhythm section of drummer Carlton Campbell and bass player (sorry didn’t note his name) was awesome: mightily expressive and fully in the groove at all times.
We spent some time with Chuck after the afternoon performance checking out his real fine Excel 12 string keyless and then he sat down and gave a mini-clinic of sorts: he seamlessly went from a full-on chord melody “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” to crazy out-there Emmons-esque C6 riffs to screaming blues, some Hendrix-y stuff then to country-pretty E9, chicken pickin, and Hawaiian – whew 
I’d met Chuck in St. Louis a few years back and saw the Brothers live last year – as always I was blown away by both Chuck and Darick’s playing, being that they were positioned on each end of the band on stage, their call-and-response playing and harmonzing was a revelation.
Opener Eric Bibb and Michael Jerome Brown joined in for the finale with a powerful rendition of Rev. Gary Davis’ “I Heard the Angels Singing” and closed with a rousing “Don’t Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down”.
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Greg Simmons
Custodian of the Official Sho~Bud Pedal Steel Guitar Website
[This message was edited by Greg Simmons on 08 October 2004 at 09:03 AM.] |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 8 Oct 2004 9:06 pm
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| Greg...You did an excellent "review" of the show, plus taking some awesome pics ! I recall meeting you in the Arden Theatre lobby after the early show. I guess I should have stuck around to hear the "after show" show which I know I too would have really enjoyed. I've never heard steel played like that in all my years....man, it was truly something to behold!!! |
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 9 Oct 2004 1:10 am
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These guys are the best. If any of you guys are skeptical about the sacred steel style of playing (especially those who put down Robert Randolph), you owe it to yourself to get down to a Campbell Brothers show. You will not only hear some great music, you will hear some steel playing that will amaze you, and you will meet some of the nicest guys you will ever see on the road.
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www.tyack.com
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 9 Oct 2004 5:18 am
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Amen to everything said here.
The Campbell Bros & band are truly fine ambassadors to an expanding universe of steel playing and music. |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 9 Oct 2004 5:20 am
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| That first picture is a sight! The symmetry of the stand with two steels flanking them all. Brilliant! |
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Bill Ford
From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
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Posted 9 Oct 2004 5:25 am
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Greg,
Great pics, and comentary...Thanks
Bill |
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Tony Palmer
From:
St Augustine,FL
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Posted 9 Oct 2004 6:34 am
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In addition, the cool thing is the way the two steels play off against each other.
Derrick does almost percussion like horn section chords, while Chuck does the blues lead thing, while Philip plays solid rhythm guitar, and they all trade licks in between!
It was a treat to see them right here in little ole Providence, RI this summer. |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 9 Oct 2004 5:30 pm
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| Greg:Thanks for the review.The Campbell brothers are coming up here in a few weeks,I'm trying to find a way to get out of going to work so I can see them. |
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Donna Dodd
From:
Acworth, Georgia, USA
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Posted 9 Oct 2004 5:37 pm
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| Stu, just say you're "steel" sick! |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 10 Oct 2004 2:19 am
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| Donna:That just might work,Stu |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 10 Oct 2004 10:42 am
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| Greg, it looks like both steelers are going through Fender Twin Reverbs. Did you notice if those are reissues, or what? Did you find out anything about Chuck's amp settings, effects, etc.? Looks like Chuck has a wah pedal next to his volume pedal, and Darrick has his left foot on some kind of pedal. [This message was edited by David Doggett on 10 October 2004 at 11:44 AM.] |
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Travis Bernhardt
From:
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 10 Oct 2004 1:19 pm
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Darick uses a wah pedal in addition to his pinky finger on the tone and volume knobs.
-Travis |
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Dustin Rigsby
From:
Parts Unknown, Ohio
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Posted 10 Oct 2004 3:46 pm
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Dan Tyack says that Chuck is Da Man...I wish they would come to the central ohio area
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D.S. Rigsby
Carter Starter and various six string toys
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Greg Simmons
From:
where the buffalo (used to) roam AND the Mojave
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 10 Oct 2004 10:14 pm
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Dustin said: [I wish they would come to the central ohio area]
Dude, you should drive up to Rochester NY and hear them in church, it can't be more than 8 hours or so,,,
In terms of their equipment they use whatever amps are rented, usually twins or roland JC-100s. Both brothers use Roland V-Wahs, these are the ticket for that Sacred Steel sound (if you don't want to bring around one of those ancient Morely pedals). Like Buddy or any of the other greats, Chuck and Darrick sound great through whatever they play through. I believe most of their recording is done through THD BiValve amps.
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www.tyack.com
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Dustin Rigsby
From:
Parts Unknown, Ohio
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Posted 11 Oct 2004 1:18 pm
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Dan,
I drive for a living,so,on the weekend that is the last thing I want to do...although when I get some vacation time...it may be an option
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D.S. Rigsby
Carter Starter and various six string toys
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