The Word | 12.26.07 | Connecticut
By Team JamBase Jan 2, 2008 • 2:17 pm PST

The Word :: 12.26.07 :: Webster Theatre :: Hartford, CT
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On the night after the Christmas, The Word, which includes Randolph, the complete North Mississippi Allstars: Chris Chew (bass), Cody Dickinson (drums) and Luther Dickinson (guitar), along with MMW’s John Medeski (keys) took the stage at the Webster Theatre for the opening night of a four-date run through the Northeast. While the large Webster lacked some of the intimacy from the 2001 tour, this performance was every bit as rousing.
With gracious nods to the crowd, the band picked up their instruments and began with a slow, amorphous, meandering intro to “Without God.” To the uninitiated, it may have seemed odd to start with an unstructured free-for-all but with a wave and a nod Randolph brought the band around and launched into the fast paced foot-stomper. Sure enough, the packed audience began to sway and groove, whether right up front or way back in the bar.
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The theatre remained fully packed through the break as the best was yet to come. Set Two began with a soulful, funky take on Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues.” The incredibly tight rhythm section served as the backbone while both Medeski and Randolph soulfully grooved around the deep funk. One could feel the Southern Gospel grace in the heartfelt rendition of “Joyful Sounds,” where both guitarists bounded up and down the necks of their instruments with a slide, inciting the most invigorating dancing of the evening. People were shaking everywhere on the spirited closer “I’ll Fly Away,” which included several Luther teases of “Turn On Your Love Light.” Bassist Chew stood at a mic for a vocal turn that disappointingly never materialized on the Hendrix classic “Voodoo Chile,” during which Randolph leaned over his lap steel, sweat dripping from his brow, his instrument swaying back and fourth as his feet on the pedals manically attempted to keep up with his hands. It was an inspiring end to a surprisingly tight performance that left everyone feeling as though they’d been lifted up to a divine place.
Continue reading for more images of The Word…
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