Library Rock's Backpages

John Medeski, The North Mississippi Allstars, Robert Randolph: The Word (ropeadope/Rykodisc)

Martin Colyer, Rock's Backpages, February 2002

IF YOU DIG the pulsating sound of a fully revved-up Hammond B3, the headlong rush of a low-down bar-band playing the blues and the close-to-heaven screaming of a pedal steel guitar then this is for you. I'm tempted to call it an unholy combination, but in fact it'll exorcise your winter blues in less time than it takes to shout "Hallelujah". Starting from a shared love of the Arhoolie Records Sacred Steel recordings, made in House of God church services, NMA and jazz organist Medeski then saw Randoph play in New York and, blown away, invited him to join them.

Total word count of piece: 169

Subscribe

Becoming a member is easy. Membership gives you access to all the thousands of articles in the library.

Click here to go to Subscribe page.

Click here for academic and other group subscriptions.