Like the hanging chad, sacred steel music was recently uncovered in the state of Florida where its righteous wail was unheard by the outside world for more than half a century. A 60-year old gospel music tradition from various branches of Florida's Church of God in Christ, this celestial slide guitar music is now well documented on Arhoolie Records by half a dozen of its practitioners. Aubrey Ghent is probably the most accomplished of that group, and we were lucky to catch him in New Orleans displaying some stunning steel work, lots of sanctified singing, and much amusing grace from his impromptu pulpit. It's rumored that the Reverend's rousing rendition of "Don't Let The Devil Ride" saved a few souls who wandered in off Decatur Street. Photo from a 1998 Louisiana Music Factory in-store performance. RETURN TO PHOTO PAGE