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Under the guidance of T Bone Burnett for about two years, pedal steel guitarist extraordinaire Robert Randolph and the Family Band have created We Walk This Road, their first release since 2006's Colorblind.
Talking about the new album Randolph revealed, "T Bone and I drew a lot from the past while we were making this record, but I think it really is a record for these times. I think the fact that I, as a young guy who likes hip-hop and gospel, am reaching back into this rich history of American roots music will appeal to people who are fifteen, and people who are seventy-five years old. T Bone opened my eyes to great archival music. He's a link between the past and the present." Some of that history can be heard in segues on the album.
We Walk This Road features guests, such as Ben Harper on "If I Had My Way" and Leon Russell on "Salvation" as well as reinterpretations of Prince's "Walk Don't Walk," John Lennon's "I Don't Wanna Be A Soldier Mama" (featuring Doyle Bramhall II), and a brilliant cover of Bob Dylan's "Shot Of Love" (with Jim Keltner, who played drums on the original version).
Making of We Walk This Road
Randolph is "very excited to play these tracks live." I recommend you catch the band if they come near you.
Robert Randolph and the Family Band Tour Dates
June 3 Ozark, AZ – Wakarusa-Mulberry Mountain
June 4 Jackson, MS – Hals & Mals
June 5 Dallas, TX – Granada Theatre
June 7 Austin, TX – Antones
June 9 Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre
June 10 Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern
June 11 San Fransisco, CA – The Fillmore
June 13 Los Angeles, CA – Playboy Jazz Festival, Hollywood Bowl
June 16 Crystal Bay, NV – Crystal Bay Club, The Crown Room
June 17 Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
June 18 Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom
June 19 Vancouver, CA – Commodore Ballroom
June 26 Bridgeview, IL – Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival
June 27 Milwaukee, WI – Summer Fest
June 29 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
July 7 Ottawa, Ontario – Ottawa Blues Festival
July 9 Thunder Bay, Ontario – Thunder Bay Blues Festival
July 16 St. Louis, MO – Pageant
July 17 Somerset, KY – Master Musicians Festival
July 30 Bridgeport, CT – Gathering of the Vibes
Aug 7 Notodden, Norway – Notodden Blues Festival
Aug 10 Aspen, Colorado – Belly Up
Oct 8 Austin, Texas – Austin City Limits
Jan 4, 2011 Fort Lauderdale, FL – Jam Cruise
