April 2003 Feature Story

Robert Randolph & The Family Band

4/9 @ WOW Hall, Eugene, OR, 8pm; 4/10 @ Showbox, Seattle, 9pm, w/special guests Hazy Malaze & Kaki King; 4/11 @ Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR, 9pm; 4/12 @ Royal Hotel, Vancouver, BC.

by Tony Engelhart

The pedal steel guitar has long been associated with country music. Perhaps that is what makes Robert Randolph such a novelty. Or perhaps it's the fact that the 24-year-old is just flat out good as he takes the instrument into the Southern Gospel genre. Whatever it is, Randolph is making his presence know and his debut, Live At The Wetlands, is garnering well deserved affirmations from critics and fans alike.

Randolph's father was a deacon and his mother was a minister for New Jersey's House Of God Church, so it is not surprising that Robert was drawn to gospel music at an early age. Perhaps even more influential on Randolph's musical life was the Pentecostal Church's 60-year tradition of musical services using steel guitars-services that began because steel guitars were an inexpensive alternative to pipe-organs. (This fact also intrigued Randolph.) When Robert was 16, Chuck Campbell-pedal steel player in the Sacred Steel unit "The Campbell Brothers"-bought him a $60 six-string lap steel model. Thus, Robert followed in the tradition of the church. Randolph quickly graduated to the 10 string, then to the intricate 13 string. Soon the youngster was making celebrated appearances at the House Of God service, often accompanied by cousins, bassist Danyel Morgan and drummer Marcus Randolph. These three would become the nucleus of the Family Band. It was at a Sacred Steel convention that Robert Randolph was discovered by talent scout, Jim Markel, who later introduced the budding steel player to friend Gary Waldman. Waldman, who already managed several artists, invited Randolph to audition. The session proved to exceed any expectations either Gary or Jim had. The duo quickly phoned Matt Hickey, talent buyer at Manhattan's Bowery Ballroom, who was equally impressed and signed Randolph to open for the North Mississippi All-Stars. Cody and Luther Dickinson introduced the steel player to John Medeski of Medeski, Martin & Wood. Soon Robert Randolph was playing in front of thousands with MMW. Along with MMW and the NMA, Randolph recorded the celebrated instrumental gospel disc The Word.

As for the Family Band, they began to gain steam when they added John Ginty on Hammond B-3 and opened for such diverse acts as the Derek Trucks Band, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, and Soulive. Soon, however, the group became accustomed to headlining rather than supporting. Live At The Wetlands was cut in August 2001 at the now-defunct New York club. Live…Wetlands, as well as the band itself, often draws comparisons to the Allman Brothers in part because of John Ginty's straightforward style on organ. Comparison is also made between Randolph and Duane Allman. Randolph is certainly similar in tone to Duane as they both have/had an aversion to articulated harmonies. With a spiritual foundation, Robert Randolph is re-writing the rules to conventional gospel while staying true to his roots.

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