CD REVIEW: It’s funk time at the Randolphs’
Robert Randolph and the Family Band’s “Colorblind” could be the album played at the next party you go to. With strong funk beats that would make the Neptunes jealous and a pervasive optimism, the album is hard to not enjoy and it’s easy to get caught up in.
In 2000, Robert Randolph had never listened to Jimi Hendrix. Now, Randolph has become one of the most unique guitarists to emerge since the legendary Hendrix. Randolph became recognized quickly for his amazing talents on the pedal steel guitar and for his exciting live shows. He has recorded with artists ranging from Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas to Ozzy Osbourne, and he’s toured with Eric Clapton and the Dave Matthews Band.
The influence of working with these famous musicians is apparent on the album. His songs have become more riff-oriented and utilize the rest the band more than in the past, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Randolph’s Family Band, which is composed of cousins Danyel Morgan and Marcus Randolph on bass and drums and Jason Crosby on keyboards (as well as backup vocals from other members of the Randolph family), all provide support for Randolph’s tight funk rhythms and his solos.
The strongest songs on the CD are those that showcase the heavy funk sound of the band, such as the opener “Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That” and “Diane.” The first single from the album, “Thrill of It,” is reminiscent of the soul pop/rock of Los Lonely Boys. However, Randolph’s straight-forward simplistic lyrics, which work well for funk anthems, often seem simplistic and cliché during slow songs like “Angels.”
The drawback of the more song-focused album is that “Colorblind” has less of the extended guitar solos that are a staple of his live shows. His guitar mastery takes the backseat to the songs on this album. So, while this album is a lot of fun and great listen, if Randolph’s growing songwriting skills can ever match his amazing guitar work, then his future work will be truly special.
Tom Liljegren is a music critic for the Utah Statesman. Comments can be sent to tliljegren@cc.usu.edu.