MERCYLAND

CD du jour: Mercyland, Phil Madeira; SOs to Todd Robbins & Richard Dodd

So this album came up on my rotation! Phil Madeira’s Mercyland (hymns for the rest of us). I have an autographed copy — I remember the night at the Station Inn in Nashville: track after amazing track, and a HUGE line-up of Nashville all-stars. In those ways, the night was quite like the album itself: track after amazing track and a HUGE line-up of international all-stars.

I’m not sure how P.M. managed to get those stellar artists on the album and/or at the record release celebration. A million-dollar budget might be one explanation! Or a million dollar’s worth of affection and respect for him and for the project! Every single track here is about love; and each is unique and special. It was a beautiful and moving experience just to be there.

I listened to the album again yesterday and even played along on some of the tracks. Then I just sat in the rocker and listened in awe! Last night and today the final track has haunted me, because of the song itself and the arrangement and the performance: “Peace in the Valley” by Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey featuring John Scofield, Al Perkins, Byron House, Bryan Owings, and Phil himself. Tears now as I think of it . . .