Robert Randolph & the Family Band
We Walk this Road
Warner Brothers
When Robert Randolph released his 2001 debut record, Live at the Wetlands, the (then) 23-year-old pedal steel master electrified the music world with his unique blend of old school, funky R&B and traditional blues. Although his subsequent records, Unclassified (2003) and Colorblind (2006) were geared considerably more towards reaching a mainstream pop audience, Randolph has returned in 2010 with We Walk this Road, a record that brings him back to his early gospel/blues roots.
Produced by Grammy award-winner T-Bone Burnett (BoDeans, Counting Crows, Wallflowers), We Walk this Road is an all-star effort featuring session appearances from the likes of Leon Russell and drum legend Jim Keltner, and the slide guitar work of Ben Harper as well as songwriting contributions from Bob Dylan (“Shot of Love”), Prince (“Walk Don’t Walk”), and John Lennon (“I Don’t Want to be a Soldier Mama”).
Highlights include the down home gospel flavored “Traveling Shoes” (featuring the signature falsetto back-up vocals of longtime bassist Danyel Morgan), the aforementioned Dylan penned “Shot of Love,” and “I Still Belong to Jesus,” which at times smacks of Fleetwood Mac circa 1977.
Simply put, We Walk this Road is honest and pure as well as inspirational. Make no mistake, Robert Randolph is back and this one is the real deal.
Robert Randolph: http://robertrandolph.net
