The Word - live at the Irving Plaza in New York City [8.08.01] : Listen Now : Get a Real Player BLUES ACCESS is proud to bring you these live performances by a group that combines exciting new sounds in both blues and gospel. The Word melds the considerable talents of the youthful North Mississippi All Stars with the keyboard prowess of John Medeski (Medeski, Martin & Wood) and the flat-out amazing playing of "Sacred Steel" guitarist Robert Randolph. To give you an idea, here's an excerpt from Lou Friedman's review of The Word's self-titled debut CD (Ropeadope/Atlantic 93046-2A) from BLUES ACCESS #47: "North Mississippi All Stars guitarist Luther Dickinson, bassist Chris Chew and drummer Cody Dickinson had wanted to do a gospel album for a long time when Chew turned Luther on to Sacred Steel Live, which featured a track by Randolph. Then Luther and Medeski realized they both had the initial Sacred Steel album, giving impetus to the genesis of THE WORD. After hearing Randolph when he opened for the All Stars in New York last October (the first time Randolph had played to an audience outside the church), Luther convinced him to join the project, and in less than a week the album was complete. The band’s name came from Chew, who was fond of saying that he would go to church to 'get some word!'" BUY 'THE WORD' NOW >> VISIT 'THE WORD' WEBSITE >> BACK TO BLUES ACCESS HOME >>