CD Cellar
The Word
Walking a broad line between supergroup and obscurity, The Word could easily go either way. The dynamic group features: North Mississippi Allstars, Luther & Cody Dickenson along with Chris Chew; modern jazz player John Medeski; and newcomer Robert Randolph. Luther and John had planned to get together and record a gospel record for quite some time but, when they came across the anointed hands of Robert Randolph and the sound of his sacred steel, they knew the time was now.
The self-titled debut is short (48 minutes- which begs the question "Where's the Vinyl release?") compared to today's average CD release, but lacking in little. The tracks were recorded in Medeski's New York City studio mostly live with limited overdubbing and just a touch of sweetening. The laid-back production does not sound loose, however, and pays off in the form of a lively energy that reaches out and grabs the listener.
The disc opens with a rollicking invocation entitled Joyful Sounds which gives a listener a clear impression of things to come. Building on a solid, fat-toned riff from Luther Dickenson- shuffling delightfully from the left speaker, drums (Cody Dickenson) and bass (Chris Chew) follow from across the backplane. Next, John Medeski's keys hit the right channel as Robert Randolph's soaring pedal steel slides up front-and-center. The song's name is appropriate- bringing a compulsory smile to the listener.
Call Him By His Name follows, beginning with a distant sounding line from Randolph before the rest of the band joins. One can almost hear the pedal steel say, "I've got a sad, sad story to tell you..." Sad, indeed. Blues drip from every note but, through each verse is the rising hope of redemption.
Blood On That Rock- one of five traditional numbers- passes briefly- almost quietly- and, it should be noted, not entirely in a traditional fashion. The entire band builds on the riff but the faders are held back; keeping the wailing guitars in check. As such, the listener is given a glimpse of a roiling tension that doesn't quite explode- like a cola shaken in the bottle. As the song peaks Cody's drums rumble underneath- yielding in the end to backwards-tracked guitars and Medeski playing that same riff once more on the tinny organ which started the whole thing.
Without God- another traditional piece- is arranged by Randolph and reminds anyone who may have forgotten that this is a gospel record. The first half of the song showcases his remarkable chops and is a sermon unto itself. Next, Cody and Randolph step things up with a more upbeat swingin' groove. Medeski get the mojo workin' on his Hammond and they're off with a little bit of rock, a little bit of roll some gospel call-and-response and a whole lotta love. When Luther and Randolph strike the duel leads, one cannot help but think of the Allman Brothers but this is more like the Allmans Sunday best.
The first of only two originals, Waiting On My Wings again starts on a straight and steady riff from Luther Dickenson. Medeski matches with his organ and Randolph sails atop the whole thing. Cody provides one of the cd's more unique sounds with his "electric washboard"- stuttering rhythms like baseball cards in your spokes, the electric washboard is a new one for me and I like it. Luther steps up quite a bit as does Medeski both turning in exciting solos in this no-so-much-gospel-as-jam song. No one's complaining here, though. This record boldly steps across genres like cracks in a sidewalk as though they're not even there.
During one listen I was forced (not willingly) to walk away from my stereo and, when I returned, I was astonished by what I initially thought to be vocals. Knowing this to be an instrumental album I shook my head and checked the cd-player. What I was actually hearing was the introduction to At The Cross. Randolph plays the strings so deeply that it sounds more like a person humming atop Luther's picking. Medeski gets his organ swirling as he, Cody, and Chris join in and this simple tune gets the heart swelling and the toes tapping.
I'll Fly Away is a delight. Randolph plays the theme with slight variations at first before Luther takes the first solo. Then, after trading licks with Luther, Randolph takes another chorus before handing off to Medeski. This is followed by some delicious call-and-response from both guitars while the rest of the group gives a rhythm section workshop.
Quite simply, I Shall Not Be Moved is beautiful. In Robert Randolph's native setting- the House Of God branch of the Pentecostal Church- the lap and pedal steel guitar is used in place of the considerably more expensive organ. On this track, you can really hear why. Randolph plays slowly and with grace as Medeski back him up with keys that sound like a vibraphone. When Medeski moves over to the organ, they share the sustain department while Luther's finger-picking edges forward in the mix.
Keep You Lamp Trimmed And Burning is a traditional and, in the tradition of Led Zeppelin, they made it a bit more heavy. Luther's style of hard-edged, roots-soaked blues shows through while Chris and Cody thump along the bottom and together they carry Medeski and Randolph from the candle-lit alter to a smoke-filled bar. The stay is all too brief however as; clocking in at just over two minutes; this is the shortest song on the album.
Track ten is an untitled piece credited to John Medeski and Luther Dickenson. Highlighting the fusion of many styles, Luther again takes the lead along with Medeski filling in the blanks. Randolph is not far away, however stepping up at first with fills and then into a brief slide duel with Luther. Medeski has his way with the organ as well and, after a giving the listener a moment to catch their breath, the entire band roars back with a vengence to close out the track.
But they don't leave it at that. After a short pause, Cody lays down a marching beat and the band jumps in for a fifty-second reprise of the opener, Joyful Sounds. It's an unlabeled treat which makes you simply want to start the whole thing over again.
And I just did.
© 2001- JMH
Learn more about The Word at www.whatistheword.com Check out Robert Randolph & The Family Band at www.robertrandolph.net For info on John Medeski's other band, Medeski, Martin & Wood go to www.mmw.net Find out about the North Mississippi Allstars at www.nmallstars.com
About the Author jmh is a family man who is thankfull for beer, LPs, and extra guitar strings. Donations of any of these things or cash for their purchase will be happily accepted.