Jimmy Johnson Live At The Dinosaur Bar-B-Q

 In my opinion Jimmy Johnson is one of the finest Chicago bluesman on the block so the chance to see him live in town was a rare treat. I had caught Johnson deliver a great show at the Pocono Blues Festival a while back and was looking forward to catch him again.

 Johnson didn't disappoint. After a few numbers by his band, who laid down a funky contemporary sound, Johnson was introduced to the audience as the Bar Room Preacher. A youthful looking Johnson bounded on stage (he turns 73 this year) and delivered one of the best blues Rochester has seen in a long time.

 Johnson's twisting, jazzy guitar licks sounded great as did his soulful vocals. Because of a new drummer Jimmy and the band stuck to covers with impassioned readings of "Little By Little", "Black Night" and "Cut You Loose" (both from his latest Ruf record Every Road Ends Somewhere), "Look Over Yonder Wall" and "I Have The Same Old Blues" among several others. It was well worth sticking around for the second set as Johnson kicked the energy up a couple of notches and really let loose.

 Put Jimmy Johnson on your short list of "must see" artists. If you like Chicago blues this is as good as it gets.

 Screening Of The Sacred Steel Documentary At The George Eastman House

 The term Sacred Steel seems to be cropping up in the unlikeliest places including a recent article in the New York Times. Sacred Steel is the term used to describe the rousing electric steel guitar music that plays a fundamental role in the services of The House Of God Church Keith Dominion and the Church of the Living God, Jewell Dominion.

 The music has caught the attention of people who normally don't listen to gospel or for that matter even go to church. Far from the stiff, staid services most folks think of this music wails and rocks pushed along by musicians who literally make the steel sing.

 Recently through the help of the Arhoolie foundation the music has been documented in hour long movie that traces the tradition from it's beginnings in the 30's to the present time. There couldn't be a better sign that the music is reaching far beyond the church walls than the packed house at the George Eastman house for the big screen showing of the Sacred Steel movie.

 After the wonderful movie and a brief question and answer period the crowd was ready for the real thing. Rochester's very own Campbell Brothers, one of the hottest groups on the scene, stepped on stage and delivered a taste of what the music's all about. The Campbell's had the place rocking in no time and before long everyone was on their feet clapping and jumping up and down reacting just like those we saw in the movie. The Campbell's made plenty of converts that night.

 All in all a great night and an excellent way to get the music across to a whole new audience. I can assure you you'll be hearing much more about Sacred Steel music.

-For information about ordering CD's or the video visit the Arhoolie Records website

-For more about the Campbell Brothers visit their website: http://www.campbellbrothers.com/online.html