Back in 2004, the Grammy Awards had a tribute to funk that featured Samuel L. Jackson playing a preacher and performances by Earth, Wind and Fire, Outkast, and George Clinton, but the man who stole the show, and my breath away, was Robert Randolph. I had never heard of him before that night, but he tore the roof off the mother with his blistering display on pedal steel guitar. Playing like a man possessed, he danced at a frenetic pace on the border between chaos and order, creating beautiful music where most would have crashed. It was a surprise that his guitar wasn’t a pile of rubble and ashes by the end.
Randolph & The Family Band have been touring in support of Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews, and The Black Crowes. Their friends from the road join The Family on their latest outing, Colorblind, a good mix of uplifting, gospel-tinged rockers.
“Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That,” an update in sentiment of Billy Joel’s “It’s Still Rock and Roll To Me,” is an infectious song praising all genres of music and those who listen to them. “Whether it’s rock and roll or old soul (It Don’t Matter)/ Disco, Calypso (It Don’t Matter)/ Suit and Tie or Tie-Dye (It Don’t Matter)/ Snakeskins or Timberlands (It Don’t Matter)/ Tight Fade or Long Braid / Break Dance, Slam dance (It Don’t Matter).”
Band members clapping and stomping lead the rhythm section, giving the song a nice gospel feel. The keyboards play a sweet riff on the bridge. It’s infectious; the beat reaches in and grabs you. It can’t be too loud and can’t be listened to one time. You will instinctively reach for the repeat button. This is the best “get up and dance” song of the year.
“Deliver Me” hits you with a big wall of sound. Randolph’s guitar opens with an odd jangle and a little funk from the bass, reminiscent to The Red Hot Chili Peppers. The background vocals sound like a church choir, and help inspire the guitar to soar higher and higher at the close.
“Angels,” co-written by Dave Matthews, shows the band play smooth and sultry. It is one of the album’s two love songs where some of the lyrics are vague enough that the relationship is just as likely between two lovers as it is between the narrator and God.
“I was lonely/ I was a mess/ I was down and out/ and you then lifted me up.” “Stronger,” featuring singer Leela James, is the other. It deals with the strength your partner fills you with. “Sometimes it ain’t easy/ sometimes life can be so hard/ but I can rise above it / with you I can be stronger.” The guitar and the band sing loud and proud.
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Article comments
1 - Mat Brewster
Randolph apparently did play in his church choir for many years before he ventured into this. What I've heard of this album gave me similar sentiments. It was alright, but if you've heard the man live it sure don't compare.
2 - DJRadiohead
Saleski and I both reviewed this one and we both love the record.
My main complaint with the album was that it did at times sound a little too slick. The band decided to go for a little more accessible sound this time and they still managed to make a pretty listenable album. Hell, the energy is undeniable.
What would be interesting is to hear these songs in a live setting. I like most of the songs. On album, they are compact blasts. On stage, they could get some room to stretch out and breathe a little more. They are good enough musicians to accomplish both. That Wetlands live album they released is insane.
3 - Vern Halen
I saw RR&FB on a TV clip - don't remember what - but they were HOT. Then I got a hold of one of their albums and they were not. Maybe he'll need to make a live album to get his point across.
As an aside... I just found the reissue of Frampton Comes Alive! at my local library tonight. Haven't heard that for a looooong time - we'll see if my memory serves me well or not.
4 - Mark Saleski
i've been meaning to get the Frampton anniversary reissue. great live record.
as far as Robert Randolph, i can see how you might think the studio albums aren't as good. still, this recent one has some killer stuff on it, especially "Ain't Nothin' Wrong With That"
5 - El Bicho
There's a bunch of RRFB live shows at Archive.org for the curious. Brewster's probably already there.
6 - SFC SKI
You forgot the song "Diane", definitely pop, but with a horn section and absolutely slammin' rhythm, and a sing along corus.
I bought this album last week and it has been on auto repeaat since that then. It's about time we had something both rocking and soulful, I am so tired of cookie cutter pop stars and screamo bands.
The last thing the world needs is another aimless noodling jam band and more tight songs that get your groove on in about 4 minutes.
Let RR break into the public consciousness with this album, tour behind it, and before you know it their will be another album that will give you what you are looking for. I see this album as a good introduction, and it makes me want to hear more.
7 - :seth
I came away thinking the same thing, " I wish this album was live." They still have a great sound though. To take the lap steel guitar from the ol' twangy country love songs to rock hard tasty abs is quite appealing. I was watching them play at The Crossroads Music Festival and just an unforgetable performance they put on. I love watching artists have fun with the music.
8 - El Bicho
To hear the band in a live setting, Robert Randolph & The Family Band will be the featured musical guest on The Late Show with David Letterman this week! The show will air this Wednesday December 13th at 11:30pm on CBS.
9 - Bunny B.
I saw Robert Randolph for the first time on the rerun of PBS's 2004 Crossroads Guitar Festival. Fantastic! He was on David Letterman again last night. This is a fresh exciting sound that my husband and I will follow. Please bring your tour to Seattle!