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Unclassified
Robert Randolph & The Family Band
Retail Price (not our price): $13.98
Release Date: 2003-08-05
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
Format: Audio CD
Discs: 1

Track List
Now here, for your listening pleasure, the tracks...

Disc 1

Editorial Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):

1) Amazon.com
Is this a big-tent revival? A funky throwdown? A jam-band juggernaut? Unclassified is all that, and so much more. The story of Robert Randolph is Hollywood-issue: kid from the gritty Jersey streets is saved from the bad life by playing steel guitar in a House of God Church. Of course, it wouldn't mean a thing if the guy couldn't play, but he can really tear it up. By updating the sacred-steel tradition with heavy doses of blues, funk, and rock, he's not only emerged with his own sound, but he's brought the music full circle, returning those pop-music styles to their gospel roots. The disc reaches some terrific heights from the very start with a fiery trio of opening songs: "Going in the Right Direction," "I Need More Love," and "Nobody" are joyous, uplifting romps brimming with the fervor of gospel music. Four instrumentals show the breadth of the sound, from the country-tinged "Squeeze" to the modal and slightly spaced-out "Calypso" to the scorching gospel-infused closer "Run for Your Life." A couple of the slower tunes impede the album's momentum, but at its best Unclassified comes awfully close to capturing the intensity of the Family Band's live shows--which is no small feat indeed. --Marc Greilsamer

2) Album Description
This debut studio album resurrects the spiritual fervor of gospel, gutbucket soul of the blues, earthy power of R&B and raucous energy rock. Led by pedal steel guitarist Randolph, who has been compared to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Duane Allman and Jimi Hendrix. Enhanced with behind the scenes footage. Digipak. Warner Bros 2003.

Customer Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5

1) 1st time buyer   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
I heard these guys on Austin City Limits and couldnt get there funk out of my head. I love this cd. I will be sure to purchase more and more...

2) They have the potential to be in class with the Neville Brothers in a few years   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
"Unclassified" is a humble name for an album I'd call amazing. Robert Randolph's guitar would have gotten me up on Sunday AM for church, for sure. "Soul Refreshing" was the first cut I'd heard on an alternative station here in Knoxville. Took a bit to get the DJ to answer, seems I was the 4th or 5th person to call the station and ask who the group was. The whole CD's solid, rocked out funk. The feeling is positive and uplifting. "Unclassified" would be a good CD to put on for a rainy day. I also noticed that I had Robert Randolph in two other collections: "Power of Soul" a tribute to Jimi Hendrix doing "Purple Haze" and Santana's "All That I Am" playing on "Trinity."

3) miller   [Rating: 4 out of 5]
I've never heard anyone that sounds quite like them. It's a great mix of high-energy music! It's impossible not to smile and listen to them at the same time.

4) Wasn't what I expected   [Rating: 2 out of 5]
The CD was not what I expected. There were only two songs that I liked. If you like popsy, jamband kinda music, you might like this CD.

5) Full Raging Frontal Musical Assault!!!   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
I know by reading the other reviews of Robert Randolf & The Family Band'sCD-"Unclassified", that their are as many opinions attached to it and hisother CD's and any Grateful Dead release, and it all boils down to what makes ones ears happy, thats all. This CD makes my ears happy, mytoe's tap, and my bootie do gyrations I didn't know it had in it. This is a JOYUS, RIGHTOUS, FROM THE GUT TO THE MIND kind of music. To answer a question that pops up in other reviews, "his simple songs", tome itseems he is singing praise to his supreme being. The music that backs the lyrics, and the music is also his expression of praise, not allgospel is gospel. But what ever you believe in has to be moved by RobertRandolph & The Family Band. But other than that, this CD and other oftheirs is a vary strange balance of reach out and grab you by the guts,and an aquired taste. Brave new concept, great music, praise your deitythat their are bands out their that cannot and probably never be pigeonholed. That is a rare commodity in this world of stamped out soon toelevator/shoping music world. I would advise to to at least listen if notbuy this CD, it may open your mind to something different.