Sacred Steel: Inside an African American Steel Guitar Tradition (Music in American Life)
Country music–oriented pedal-steel-guitar fans may be surprised to learn that their favorite instrument is a central part of worship in a largely African American Pentecostal tradition, the Holiness Movement Church, known popularly as the House of God. This style of sanctified playing is known as sacred steel. Folklorist Stone also produces sacred-steel recordings and has directed a documentary about the music also titled Sacred Steel. Here he traces the tradition of sacred steel from its introduction in a church setting in the 1930s, when brothers Troman and Willie Eason were instrumental in establishing the sacred-steel tradition in churches “in twenty states and Washington, D.C.” Stone traces their careers and those of other noted practitioners up to current master Robert Randolph, a mentor of celebrated guitarist Eric Clapton. He also presents a history of the church itself and its competing Keith and Jewell Dominions. Perhaps a little too detailed for readers just interested in the music, this book is nonetheless of great potential value to ethnomusicology fans. --Mike Tribby--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.