There are times when I wish I was Robert Randolph because he has musical talents I will never see. (I can also see myself playing Hammond B3 in his band.) You know a group is a fantastic live band when their first release is a live album. That takes moxie. I cannot imagine the energy it must take to get through a concert like the one on this disc as a listener, much less a performer. To borrow a phrase from Ken Kessler, this disc is more than an hour of "thigh-slapping, blood-pumping, nuclear brain damage!" High energy throughout. This easily earns a spot in my list of top ten live albums. How do you define this style? It is an amalgamation of rock, gospel, blues, country - it is truly American music.
Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart
Tracks: The Austin Chronicle summed it up in a ★★★½ review: "the boys open with 12 meltdown minutes of 'Ted's Jam' and never look back." There are seven tracks, only one of which clocks in at under 10 minutes. My favorite track on this disc is I Don't Know What You Come to Do. I've made the mistake of listening to this in my office and having to close the door for privacy because I can't sit still. Put this together with Shake Your Hips and Tears of Joy and you've got more than 35 minutes of an epic way to end a CD.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I discovered Robert Randolph through a Grammys performance in either 2004 or 2005 (probably the latter). I'm thankful his name was printed on the front of his guitar so I could immediately order his CD.
Ditto.
ReplyDeleteHe continues to surprise and then disappoint me.
Thoughts?