Robert Randolph (Robert Randolph And The Family Band) – Steelin’ The Spotlight
It is some sixteen years now that steel guitar ace and singer Robert Randolph met up with Pete the afternoon before he and The Family Band played their London debut at Dingwalls in Camden. Now older and wiser, Randolph does not seem to have lost any of his zest for life – indeed with a brand new album Brighter Days coming out on Mascot, the musician appears ready to rock out once more…
Do you realise, matey that it’s just over sixteen years ago that we first talked about you and your music, in London?
(Astonished) Oh wow, Pete – is it REALLY? Whew…
You had not long heard your first Dylan track!
You know, that would be right… his stuff didn’t get used a lot in church…but yeah I do remember that day…it was sunny? And your ‘old film’ voice haha..I’m at home right now in New Jersey…hey, did we talk about the Royal Albert Hall? one time?
That’s right, you were opening for Eric Clapton and we were batting around suitable numbers…you came right with a Jimi tune, knocked ‘em out!
(Laughs) A useful exchange, we have to call that!
Lyrically you’re reflecting the world, Robert
Ha! Well now there’s so much going on across the globe right now..and things could be running much more smoothly, I would contend anyway. Things could be so much better, less bitterness, more pure kindness…it’s lacking don’t you think?
I hate anything divisive…like politics and religion. Like, do either of us two care what the other of us believes, when we get on?
Got nothing to argue about..have we?
Certainly not on music..and associates. How is Neal Casal by the way?
Oh he’s good, a cool guy. Dependable. A great originator of sounds, tones, ever’thang..that’s Neal. When you’re in your Twenties, early Thirties well you don’t really have a great plan, you don’t have everything mapped out, it’s kinda looser.
HOWEVER as you know, Pete you will meet people that have a spark, have an effect upon you and yes how you might approach things..IF you are open to it. So, stay open to it!
True!
You experience places, you travel, you stay up all night…letting it roll. Then maybe it can hit you, you realise you want to follow the path of an artist like Otis Rush, to keep on being The Real Deal, something solid. B B King, Eric Clapton, The tones…Buddy Guy, all those great characters. When you’re say seventy years old, you want to leave a legacy of a hundred songs, good songs that make a statement….that’s the point I’m looking at right now…as you get older you can recall those landmark moments that you’ve achieved. It’s warm…
Well we are all really on a crusade to get quality live music out there and heard. That’s how I feel about it, anyway
That is exactly the mentality that I have – put on a show, don’t hold back, spray them with things to remember! On the stage, you can respond and vibe off everything that’s happening in that room..feed off the energy! The fans,,they want those magical moments..but you know what I mean on that!
There’s no formula – it happens or it doesn’t
See, events here in the USA..and yes over in the UK and Europe you know how music can change things in the world..it’s powerful!
Baptise Me is a strong opener, it just takes off!
Yeah it’s all release..the vocal blend is strong ain’t it?
I like the Gimme Shelter reverb and the Hammond chording
Thanks, you get it
Don’t Fight It has echoes of the great Live At The Wetlands album, to me
I can see that…party time
Simple Man – that’s very Pop Staples, with the tremelo’d amp on the guitar. I met him once after a show. He asked whether I prayed and I said no BUT he did sound like he knew something!
(Laughs) That’s cool..he got to you!
Have Mercy has a jukebox tempo – a lost soul redeemed
You think so? (Ponders) Oh yes, maybe that is in there!
Second Hand Man makes me think of The Meters…
Well THAT ain’t no bad thing – who doesn’t love The Meters??
Is that an Octaver on there?
Yes, it is…Cry Over me features Lanesha.
Lovely number, almost like Traffic. I’m Living Off The Love has a tinge of The Family done your way…
Yeah the beat’s that stabbing funk on there!
I gave you a trilby hat one time at The Borderline and you had that red oblong Bo Diddley guitar
Still got both!! I love the tone, the vibes
By the way, tell me something I may not know about Danyel
(Shaking head) He just ain’t so keen on touring any more…he gets homesick!
Good luck with the album.
SO glad you got to hear it, brother! Til we meet again…
Pete Sargeant
(Many thanks to the Mascot Label Group UK Office and of course Robert)
Feature Image and Additional Photography Credit: Jim Arbogast
Robert Randolph and The Family Band’s new album ‘Brighter Days’ is released on Friday 23rd August 2019 on Provogue/Mascot Label Group in Limited Edition 180g Purple Vinyl, Black Vinyl, CD Digipack and Digital.
You can pre-order the album here: http://bit.ly/2IiWm0m
For more information visit the band’s official website here: http://bit.ly/2QQfWot
