The Word: John Medeski, the North Mississippi Allstars and Robert Randolph

Time to give some props to one of my favorite bands: Robert Randolph and the Family Band. Here's a review for the cd, The Word. My favorite quotes are in bold.

Jelly review: John Medeski, the North Mississippi Allstars and Robert Randolph: The first ever jam session must have occurred in a church. When the Spirit starts to move, nobody watches the clock. Keyboard player John Medeski, on break from his full time gig with Medeski, Martin & Wood, gathered together the North Mississippi Allstars and pedal steel player Robert Randolph for this high-stepping dance through a session of gospel blues.

Randolph is the real revelation here, as his pedal steel work steers a wide path away from the weeping willow-isms his instrument is usually associated with in the country realm for some squealing blues work. The hand-clapping Sunday service stomper 'Without God' is converted into a Southern rock powerhouse. On 'Waiting on My Wings,' Medeski's clip-clopping organ notes lead a funk workout worthy of the almighty Meters.

As nobody in this band steps up to the mike to sing, all ten tunes are completely instrumental. Without gospel's soul-deep lyrics, this recording sacrifices much of its spiritual impact. Unless you're already familiar with the sermon-in-song messages of these mostly traditional selections, you won't likely receive their originally intended blessings.

But if you want to hear what church might sound like if the Sabbath is ever moved from Sunday morning to Saturday night, this is your fantasy disc.

Here's a quote from the back cover on Live at the Wetlands:

On stage, Randolph is an energetic and inspiring presence, able to convert any beer-drenched, smoke-filled room into a temporary sanctuary. He's a time-stopping, trouble-erasing wizard who engages his listeners to march, press on, stomp their feet, clap their hands, scream. --Rolling Stone

I think this ties into the concept of jubilation that Dr. Platypus discusses in this post here. It'd be great to recover this in our churches. Fortunately great artists are doing it in "beer-drenched, smoke-filled rooms" around the country every Friday and Saturday night!