Part of the “Sacred Steel” movement, Florida band the Lee Boys (most of whom are related) put pedal steel guitar at the front of their gospel. But unlike their contemporaries there’s a slight and unusual country tinge to their bluesy gospel sound making them sound at times like the mid-’70s Allman Brothers.
This family group consists of three brothers Alvin Lee (guitar), Derrick Lee and Keith Lee (vocals) along with their three nephews Roosevelt Collier (pedal steel guitar), Alvin Cordy Jr. (7-string bass) and Earl Walker (drums).
Each member began making music at the ages of 7 and 8 in the House of God church they attended in Perrine, Florida. There, they underwent a rigorous course of training in a variety of musical instruments including lap and pedal steel guitars.
Born and raised in Miami each of The Lee Boys grew up in the church where their father and grandfather Rev. Robert E. Lee was the pastor and a steel player himself.
Sacred steel is a type of music described as an inspired unique form of Gospel music with a hard-driving blues-based beat. The musical genre is rooted in Gospel but infused with rhythm and blues, jazz, rock, funk, country and ideas from other nations.
Influenced by the Hawaiian steel guitar fad of the 1930’s brothers Willie and Troman Eason brought the electric lap steel guitar into the worship services of the House of God church in Jacksonville, Florida. The Pentecostal congregation embraced the soulful sound and over time this unique sound became the hallmark of the church. The pedal steel guitar was added to the mix and soon became the central instrument. The Lee Boys are part of the fourth generation of musicians in this faith.
This music form was totally unknown to the world outside the church until the mid 1990’s when folklorist Robert Stone attended House of God services and recorded the music as well as its history contributing the name sacred steel. A series of compilations featuring artists such as Aubrey Ghent, Calvin Cooke and the Campbell Brothers as well as the late Glenn Lee followed on legendary roots label Arhoolie Records for whom The Lee Boys also record.
When The Lee Boys bring their joyous spiritual sound to the stage audiences instantly recognize that this is not sitting and listening music: dancing, shouting out and having fun are considered essential parts of their tradition. Founder and bandleader Alvin Lee explains: “The inspiration and feeling that comes along with our music is the reason that people feel good. It is like the new music on the block and it’s just getting ready to explode! It’s mostly original material with a few standards and hymns the group blueses up a little.”
Their unique sound has attracted musical artists such as Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Los Lobos, Michelle Shocked, Gov’t Mule, Derek Trucks Band with Susan Tedeschi, The North Mississippi Allstars, Hill Country Revue, Umphrey’s McGee, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Oteil & Kofi Burbridge, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Toubab Krewe, Victor Wooten, The Del McCoury Band and The Travelin’ McCourys, all of whom have played with the Lee Boys and/or invited them to tour with them.
The Lee Boys recorded with The Travelin McCourys completing a joint album titled Meetin In The Middle which illustrates their amazing bluegrass/sacred steel festival shows.
Discography:
Say Yes (Arhoolie)
It Is No Secret (2002)
Testify (2012)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
