Robert Randolph started learning how to play the sacred pedal steel guitar at age 16 for his House of God church’s uplifting ceremonies. Keeping himself out of trouble and off the streets, Randolph cooped himself up in his bedroom playing for hours upon hours starting with the basic 6 string before going to a 10 string, and then finally taking on what he plays to this day, the difficult 13 string. Enlisting the talents of his cousins to make up his Family Band, Danyel Morgan takes up the bass, Marcus Randolph is on drums and friend/cousin John Ginty works the Hammond B-3 organ. Picking legends brains of the sacred steel for tips and tricks, Robert Randolph is quickly turning into something special.

Taking his church act on the road, the music is an amalgam of styles. Ranging from Gospel, Soul, Funk, Blues, Hip-Hop, R&B, and Rock among others. As you ready yourself to sit down, relax and put this record on, be prepared to be astonished. This live disc is taken from one of the last shows ever at the famous Wetlands venue in NYC. ‘Ted’s Jam’ begins fiercely with high energy and raw power. An absolute sick and devastating version, this receives my personal nomination for ‘Jam of the Year.’ It’s an absolute barnburner. ‘The March’, an Allman-esque sweet groove, shows off some great organ work by John Ginty and finds a nice cloud to ride on. Slowing things down, ‘Pressing My Way’ showcases cousin Danyel Morgan’s high gospel voice while relaying a message that no matter how hard and tough times may be, don’t ever get down. Just ‘press on’ to get through it. Emphasizing to fans that there is always a light at the end to shoot for because times will always get better.

Next up is ‘Shake Your Hips’, a cover of an old blues song by Slim Harpo, which experiences some updated lively touches to it. Things really get cooking again with ‘I Don’t Know What You Come To Do’, leaving you no choice but to stomp those feet and tap those toes. This one scintillates and gets the crowd involved dancing madly. Closing things out on this 70 minute set is ‘Tears of Joy’ which is a nice contrast of styles with low dips that lull the listener to a hypnotic state before giving way to the high energy jaunt that the band uses as if to say ‘We are not quite finished with blowing your mind just yet.’

Overall, an excellent album that has much spirited playing and inspiring heart, soul and passion throughout. The tracks are simply blazing and scorching. They contain ridiculous amounts of infectious energy that play on relentlessly with reckless abandon. This is not your ordinary church music, and if it is, tell me the name of that church and sign me up because I’m ready to be converted! A rare 5 Planet treat.

Track Listing:
1. Ted’s Jam
2. The March
3. Pressing my Way
4. Shake Your Hips
5. I Don’t Know What You Come To Do
6. Tears of Joy

Shamples Rating:  5 out of 5 Planets


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