So a couple of weekends ago, I am doing some serious listening to The Blind Boys from Alabama. My cousin walks in just as the guest guitarist on the album is just blowing me away, even though I had heard the track probably 20 times already.

I tell my cousin that the tone the guitarist is getting is exactly the tone I am seeking for my guitar. He picks up the liner notes and says, "Yeah, that's Robert Randolph. Your brother is really into him." So, we search YouTube and check out Mr. Randolph. The guy is simply amazing - see for yourself.

So a couple of days later, my cousin comes home with a CD by Robert Randolph and the Family Band. We put it on and JAM OUT for the next hour. These guys have got the funk down! Who else knows something about this band?

They were very hot a few years back.
Opened for Clapton and tore it up.
"Live at the Wetlands" put him on the map. They also had a pretty good ACL appearance featuring a bunch of pedal steel guitarists.

Seen him twice opening for Clapton at my 2 favorite venues, The Greek & The Bowl. He rips on that pedal steel guitar like nobody's business. He's to that instrument as Sonny Landreth is to his. He's also on EC's Crossroads DVD.

Good stuff! Did someone say Sonny Landreth?

I saw them open for Clapton a few years ago. It was one hell of an opening act. They had the audience whipped into a frenzy for half an hour. In my 30 some years of concerts I have never seen an unkown opening act do that great of a job. I have since listened to their cds. The energy they carry in a live performance doesn't come across on a cd, for me at least.

They were very hot a few years back.
Opened for Clapton and tore it up.
"Live at the Wetlands" put him on the map. They also had a pretty good ACL appearance featuring a bunch of pedal steel guitarists.

They are still hot. Looking for my first show. I have seen them in HD, but not live.

I've always been a big fan. I've caught them on Austin City Limits a couple of times. I have a few cds. If this music doesn't get our toes tappin' and feeling good, nothing will.

JD

Another Jersey boy! :thmbsp:

I just found out about him last month, though.
I heard a song on the radio that blew me away.
Something with a chorus of...."got to give some more".

I checked out his myspace page, and there's some good stuff there.
I'll have to pick up some of his records soon.

I gotta see these guys live! The way Robert plays that slide steel guitar is insane! He is so accurate - he can slide in if he wants to, but most of the time, he is right on top of the note with perfect vibrato. It appears that he feels the music he is playing almost as much as Stevie Wonder or Stevie Ray Vaughan. Man, I would love to know what that feels like.

I like family bands. Not only RR but the Lee Boys!

ACL is one of the best shows!

Good stuff! Did someone say Sonny Landreth?

Yes I did. Saw opening for Buddy Guy a few years back. He does stuff nobody else comes close to.

I got the chance to see him and the band when they played at my college. It was a great show. If you have the chance go see the band, they put on a great show!

TC

I've always been a big fan. I've caught them on Austin City Limits a couple of times. I have a few cds. If this music doesn't get our toes tappin' and feeling good, nothing will.

JD

+1

That's where I first saw them. On late night PBS.

I saw them open for Clapton a few years ago. It was one hell of an opening act. They had the audience whipped into a frenzy for half an hour. In my 30 some years of concerts I have never seen an unkown opening act do that great of a job. I have since listened to their cds. The energy they carry in a live performance doesn't come across on a cd, for me at least.

I would tend to agree about the live vs. recorded for the energy level. I think that part of it is that they are very energetic, and it is contagious if you there. If the person next to you isn't dancing, check their pulse.