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Topic: New Sacred Steel Album: the Lee Boys |
Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 7 Mar 2005 11:42 pm |
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I just received an advance copy of the new album in Arhoolie's Sacred Steel series: "the Lee Boys Say Yes". It's a killer.
Before I proceed I should say that I am far from objective when the Lee Boys are concerned. I've known these guys for a while, and you will never find a greater bunch of guys to play with, or just hang out with. Alvin backed me up (and my son on bass and daughter on vocals) at the 2003 Sacred Steel convention, and this particular Lee Boys group backed me up at the 2004 Sacred Steel convention. These guys tear it up live, and are definitely the real deal.
This album translates their live performance to the studio with minimal sweetening, but with all of their emotion (and funk) intact. I love the way the Lee Brothers bring in funk/R&B/rock/country into Sacred Steel music while maintaining their connection to their roots.
These guys rock pretty hard, so it's not for the listener who only likes hard country. It's got a very funky rhythm section (notably Alvin Lee, who rivals Phil Campbell for the title of funkiest Sacred Steel guitarist in the world), a great vocal combo of Keith (the gospel shouter) and Darrick (the younger hip hop/ smooth R&B voice) Lee, and the red hot 22 year old pedal steel phenom Emanuel Roosevelt Coller. Roosevelt was given the task of filling his late uncle Glenn Lee's place in this group. Glenn Lee was an amazing player, one of the best Sacred Steelers ever. Brother Roosevelt has taken some Glenn Lee, some Chuck Campbell, some Robert Randolph, and quite a bit of his own energy to come up with a dynamic voice. His playing on this record already shows some refinement from his playing last June (the last time I heard him play).
On first listen my favorite cut is "Call Him By His Name". Part of this is my emotional connection to this song. I bought the very first Sacred Steel record, listened to the first few cuts, and thought "Hmmm, that's interesting". Then Glenn Lee came on and played this song (a Glenn Lee original), and I thought "Holy (*^%%, that was great". Roosevelt takes Glenn's version, throws in some quote's from Robert's version, then takes it home. I love it.
Another killer cut is the Calvin Cooke medley. Roosevelt just nails this collection of some of Calvin's best jams. Calvin is one of my all time favorite players, and this arrangement is great. It's not easy condensing a couple of hours worth of Sacred Steel praise jams into a 5 minute song, but Roosevelt, Alvin, and company have nailed it.
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www.tyack.com
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Pete Finney
From:
Nashville Tn.
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Posted 8 Mar 2005 12:05 am
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Hey Dan... I can't say I've kept up with all this stuff, but this one sounds like one not to miss... When is it officially out?
It was great to hear you play last fall, and to hang out a little bit. Hope we can do it again soon...
Thanks for the heads up (they do play "A Way to Survive" at some point I hope??  |
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 8 Mar 2005 12:22 am
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There's a post in Announcements, I think that Bob Stone said it was out in 3-22, but he has copies he can sell.
It was great to see you here in Seattle, next time I'd love to do some playing.
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www.tyack.com
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Travis Bernhardt
From:
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 8 Mar 2005 3:24 pm
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This is great news! I love the Lee Boys. The biggest (!), nicest group of people you could ever hope to meet, and they put on a great show.
-Travis |
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Chris Bauer
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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Posted 8 Mar 2005 3:45 pm
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I heard these guys last year a couple of times at Folk Alliance and if the CD comes anywhere close to capturing their live energy and soul, LOOK OUT!
Really great guys as well. I hope the CD will bring them the recognition they definitely deserve. |
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Bob Stone
From:
Gainesville, FL, USA
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Posted 10 Mar 2005 7:04 am
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Thanks for your comments Dan. Of course, I can't be objective because I produced the album AND the Lee Boys are from the area where I was raised, south Miami-Dade County, FL. Really a great bunch of guys and stellar musicians. And Roosevelt just gets better and better.
I second everything you said about Alvin Lee's guitar playing and would add that he is an iron man. Not only did he run the Sacred Steel Convention last year, he played backup guitar for about 8 hours a day for 2 days and nights. What a guy!
There is still a possibility that a Sacred Steel Convention may happen this year. Alvin is investigating a few options...
Best,
Bob
[This message was edited by Bob Stone on 10 March 2005 at 07:19 AM.] |
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Steven Black
From:
Gahanna, Ohio, USA
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Posted 12 Mar 2005 7:02 pm
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Looks like I will have to check out this group since I enjoy the sacred steelers music. Dan I will have to hear you play sometime, maybe you and Del Ray could come to columbus Ohio and perform at the O.S.G.A, I got to hear Del Ray perform, What a treat that was and I can't wait to hear him again.
steveb. |
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Del Ray Grace
From:
Toledo, Ohio, USA
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Posted 24 Mar 2005 6:15 pm
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Hello Steve Black,
Thanks for the compliment,you are to kind.Please check out the New Lee Boys CD you will not be sorry.I have my copy and there is a lot of energy in this project to say the least.Trust me on this one Steve.your friend, Del Ray
www.sacredstrings.com |
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Keith Cordell
From:
San Diego
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Posted 25 Mar 2005 5:51 am
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| This one is really good, got my copy a few days back and it's earned it's place on my car stereo changer, next to the Campbell Brothers and David Lindley- no mean feat! Great, authentic sacred steel that'll curl your hair! |
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