Pros: Fresh, original music by a very talented band!
Cons: Songwriting is not this band's strong suit. Minor complaint, though.
The Bottom Line: Now this CD is more like a good microbrew... Do yourself a favor and really expand your horizons. Check out Robert Randolph & the Family Band today!
knotheadusc's Full Review: Unclassified by Robert Randolph (Pedal Steel/Guita...
By all means, buy it! Robert Randolph & the Family Band's Unclassified is a gem! As I wrote in my review of their disc Live at the Wetlands, Robert Randolph is a virtuoso on the pedal steel guitar, and he has a first rate band to show off his talents.
Before I get too far into this review, let me state that this is the second half, that is, the Excellent portion, of my entry into slarter's and captaind's writeoff. Follow the ugly link for an explanation http://www.epinions.com/content_3996622980. My Excruciating review of the very Excruciating CD It's a Sunshine Day: The Best of the Brady Bunch can be found by following this ugly link http://www.epinions.com/content_147387747972.
And now, back to Robert Randolph & the Family Band. I discovered them the day after my 32nd birthday, when my husband took me to the Eric Clapton concert and Robert Randolph & the Family Band was the opening act. I was so impressed by this band that I was compelled to buy Unclassified and their live CD, Live at the Wetlands. Unclassified was released in 2003, and contains all original material. The band consists of Robert Randolph, who plays pedal steel guitar, electric and acoustic guitars, and sings; Danyel Morgan, Randolph's cousin, who plays bass, electric and acoustic guitars, and sings; Marcus Randolph, another cousin, who plays drums, and John Ginty, who plays organ and piano. It should be noted that Ginty also plays several other instruments, although not on this album. At the concert, he played violin most impressively on a gorgeous rendition of "People Get Ready". These guys are thoroughly skilled and talented. Guest musicians on this disc include Lenesha Randolph, Neal Casal, and Candice Anderson on backing vocals, and Leon Mobley on percussion. Lenesha Randolph and Ricky Fowler also sing lead on "Smile".
A booklet, which is conveniently tucked into the cardboard "jewelcase" (I guess that's what you call these cardboard CD containers) provides the lyrics to all of the songs. Note that not all of the tracks are sung, however, so not all of the pieces that are included on this CD actually qualify as songs. I will comment that I believe that Randolph and his band shine as instrumentalists and not songwriters, but their music is so good that I generally ignore the lyrics (which aren't that bad anyway) and concentrate on the sheer genius of the sounds I'm hearing.
The CD starts off strong with the Randolph penned "Going in the Right Direction", which sounds very "gospelly"-- but also sounds like it would be right at home on a movie soundtrack. The next song "I Need More Love", also written by Randolph, sounds a little bit like it was funk inspired. Robert Randolph's is the first voice heard, and he sounds a lot like Eric Clapton, but then Danyel Morgan chimes in with his high falsetto. It's pretty cool the way they play off each other in this song.
"Nobody" is the third track on this CD, and it's very hard driving rock. It features impressive solos by Randolph on his pedal steel guitar, but I also hear some great stuff by Ginty on his organ. The rhythm of this song starts off rather repetitive, but then cranks into a really cool riff that segues into what is essentially a gospel call and response style. On the right sound system, this is very emotional stuff.
"Soul Refreshing" offers a very different sound from "Nobody". Also penned by Randolph, it starts off with a few strums of an acoustic guitar and then Randolph's pedal steel guitar launches. It's a sweet song that evokes images of happiness. Looking at the lyrics, one might at first think that the song is about a woman, but in truth I believe this song is about God. In fact, I think that all of the songs on this CD are really about God, although they are vaguely enough written that one might interpret them to be written about romantic love.
"Squeeze" is the fifth track. It's an instrumental composed by Danyel Morgan and Robert Randolph. It's very energetic and happy sounding. Everyone's musical talents are showcased-- especially Randolph's and Ginty's.
"Smile" was written by Ricky Fowler and Robert Randolph. Ricky Fowler and Lanesha Randolph sing lead on this song. I have to comment that they sound amazingly like Stevie Wonder. It's astounding. If I didn't know better, I would swear I was listening to an old Stevie Wonder tune. This is supposed to be a duet, but I can't tell who is singing what part, because the two sound a lot alike and they both sound like Stevie Wonder... damn good Stevie Wonder, too... from the early 1970s.
"Good Times" is track number seven. It was played at the Clapton concert and is apparently a staple at Randolph's live shows. It starts with an infectious beat. The band shouts "Good times! We gonna have a good time! Talkin' 'bout a good time!" Those words pretty much make up the extent of the lyrics in this song. This is a mainly an instrumental groove designed to show off the guys' talents and ability to get the members of audience on their feet dancing.
"Why Should I Feel Lonely" is the eighth track is a song that sounds very contemporary. The words describe how the guys travel across the country and play for crowds from Jersey to LA. I get from the song that they feel appreciative... but then maybe there is some loneliness to their lifestyle. Why would they have written that song if there wasn't? Danyel Morgan contributes an ethereal solo toward the end of the song. Again, I feel as if this song is directed at God.
"Calypso" is an interesting instrumental written by John Ginty and Marcus Randolph. It has a distinctly Latin feel that is altogether hot and cool. The pedal steel and rhythms make the music seem hot... but the organ cools it off and makes it seem cool to me. It's definitely danceable music.
"Problems" is a very sober song is the one song that overtly addresses God. This song sounds very urban and almost jazzy-- R&B. I get a sense of impending danger when I listen to this song. I'm not sure who is singing lead on this track, but whoever it is has a very smooth, strong voice that reminds me a little bit of James Ingram's without his trademark screech. And what makes the song so cool is that it includes some very innovative instrumentation that makes it original.
"Run For Your Life" is the last track on this CD. It's an instrumental, and it goes back to the band's bluesy, gospel-rock roots. The song is fast paced and may get you back up on your feet after the listening to "Problems", last, sobering track. I think it's a strong way to end this excellent CD.
This is an enhanced CD too, so if you have a computer at your disposal (and I'm assuming that most of us do, since we're reading Epinions online), you can put this disc in your CD-ROM and watch a short video featuring Robert Randolph and the making of Unclassified. He tells listeners how he came up with the title for "Going in the Right Direction". The extra includes a feature that allows listeners to sign up for email updates and links to the band's website and their label's website.
All in all, I think this is a great CD. It's versatile and interesting and I never get bored listening to it. If you have the first CD, "Live at the Wetlands", you'll find that this disc is not much like it other than it offers the same well crafted music. I think I like the live CD better, but this is still very much a five star effort and one HELL of a lot better that It's a Sunshine Day: The Best of the Brady Bunch.
I predict that if these guys play their cards right, they're going to make it big someday. If you like blues, funk, gospel, or hell, you just want to be inspired, declassify Unclassified and get ready to boogie!
With touches of Sly & The Family, Robert Randolph & the Family Band bring an undeniable energy to contemporary Gospel. Uplifting and Unclassified. Bri...More at Christianbook.com
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