Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

I can remember the first time I ever heard this album. It was at a Word Records Sales Conference in America and it hit me so hard that I begged my friend Eric Nordhoff who was playing tracks to the gathered delegates to give me the album afterwards. He did and it's been a favourite ever since. Now five years later, Randolph is beginning to become better known but this live album captures his raw talent in a setting where he and the band can stretch out and jam. Brought up playing sacred steel guitar in church and then took his precocious talent out into clubs. This mix of blues, gospel and rock is completely compelling and the fact that the shortest track is eight minutes means that there is plenty of opportunity for Randolph to show off his skills. Standouts include the foot stomping "I Don't Know What You Come To Do" and the bluesy "Pressing My Way". The beauty of this live performance isn't simply Randolph's skill but the way the entire band seem to move as one. I've said it plenty of times but Robert Randolph really is the Jimi Hendrix of the pedal steel guitar, taking the instrument and creating some other-worldly music.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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