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REVIEW: of ROBERT RANDOLPH AND THE FAMILY BAND IN CONCERT: LAKELAND, FL, NOV. 8, 2002 (ERIKA LARSON, Relevant)

Bluesy "sacred steel" group Robert Randolph and the Family Band took the stage to open for acoustic singer/songwriter John Mayer announcing that they were not your normal opening band. [...]

Randolph began to play the steel guitar in the services of his home church, the House of God in Orange, N.J. Gospel influences were evident in every song, and the spiritual theme of persevering in hard times rang loud and clear in"“Press On," a slow, soulful tune that eventually broke down into a funky groove. Over a bluesy wah pedal, Morgan sang in an impressive falsetto, "I feel like pressin’ my way on through the storms."

"Shake Your Hips" immediately followed, a driving song borrowing the guitar riff from ZZ Top's "La Grange." Leaping up on his chair, Randolph shook demonstratively to the “ladies” and then the “fellas.” They closed with the enthusiastic "I Don't Know What You Came to Do," a wound-up song fitting for a Pentecostal rally, featuring a fat bass line and calling for hand-clapping, foot-stomping and screaming.

Positive and fun-loving, Robert Randolph and the Family Band presented an extremely energetic show and proved their sole aim was to give the crowd a good time. Undoubtedly, Mayer chose the group to open for him because of their impressive playing, unique funk/blues sound and spirit.

Imagine the Allman Brothers playing in a black church and you'll get some sense of what Robert Randolph sounds like. We particularly recommend Live at the Wetlands; the disc by the supergroup that Mr. Randolph is involved with The Word; and Mr. Randolph and the Family Band's work on the Blind Boys of Alabama's Higher Ground. Posted by Orrin Judd at November 19, 2002 11:50 AM