Live at the Wetlands (Dig) [Live, Original recording reissued]

Robert Randolph and the Family Band | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 17, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live, Original recording reissued
• Label: WEA/Reprise
• ASIN: B00006IXGI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,595 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: RANDOLPH,ROBERT & THE FAMILY BAND
Title: LIVE AT THE WETLANDS
Street Release Date: 09/17/2002
Domestic
Genre: ROCK/POP

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars sacred steel, October 4, 2005

By 

Don Schmittdiel "running_man" (Clinton Twp., MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live at the Wetlands (Dig) (Audio CD)

Robert Randolph received his education on the pedal steel guitar at a House Of God church in Orange, New Jersey. The origins of that church date back to the early 1900's, and in the 1930's those congregations developed the use of the pedal and lap steel guitar as an instrument for worship services in lieu of the much more expensive, though more traditional organ. Randolph's family encouraged Robert to learn the instrument at age 15, but it wasn't until he was 17 that his interest in mastering the pedal steel intensified, and ultimately engulfed his life.

Randolph plays the finest pedal steel guitar I've ever had the pleasure of hearing, and his funky jam-rock approach on 'Live At the Wetlands' also whets my appetite. This recording was made shortly prior to the closing of The Wetlands venue four days after the Twin Towers came down in New York City. For thirteen years what was once an urban warehouse had served double-duty as a center for environmental activism as well as a concert venue for up-and-coming artists. It's clear from the host's introduction and the reaction of the crowd to Randolph's set that the Family Band had become something of a fixture at the 500-seat capacity Wetlands, and that Randloph possessed a special reverence for that venue as well.

My two favorite tracks on the disc are the thirteen minute opener, a rollicking instrumental titled 'Ted's Jam', written by Randolph (as are all the tracks on the disc, save the cover of Slim Harpo's 'Shake Your Hips'), but inspired by pedal steel legend Ted Beard (ironically, Randolph's father wed the daughter of Ted Beard, establishing the connection), and the next to last track, the similarly extended boogie number, 'I Don't Know What You Come To Do'. 'Pressing My Way' and the closer 'Tears of Joy', bring a bit of the blues into the set, while 'The March' features a sound closer to the virtuoso work of Duane Allman than anyone has produced since his death in 1971.

The Family Band gains its moniker from the fact that Randolph's rhythm section, two-thirds of his support, are cousins Danyell Morgan on bass and Marcus Randolph on drums. While this may smirk of cronyism, both Danyell and Marcus are clearly up to the task of backing Randolph, with Danyell delivering scorching bass lines and inspired vocals, and Marcus a sharp, penetrating beat. John Ginty adds organ fills, but they're all but lost in Randolph's exquisite runs on the pedal steel.

In past interviews Randolph has admitted that he "was a bad kid" while growing up, but the pedal steel has proven to be the tool God used to deliver him from a life of crime and poverty. He claims his music seeks to bring listeners closer to the Holy Spirit, and while on the surface a Gospel connection may be difficult to discern, there is plenty of soul to be discovered in his work, and his energy is overwhelmingly positive. The only thing better to hearing Randolph's energy exude from this disc is seeing him live, a treat I recently witnessed on an edition of the PBS production 'Austin City Limits'. It's hard to imagine any fan of funk, boogie, soul, or rock, not finding something to like in the music of Robert Randolph.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Totally Awesome Pedal Guitar..........., December 27, 2004

By 

Just Retired "Granny" (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live at the Wetlands (Dig) (Audio CD)

My husband and I had never heard of Robert Randolph before watching him on the Crossroads Guitar Festival on our local PBS station. We watched in awe.... this young man makes the steel guitar sing in a way most regular guitar players can't begin to master. Nobodys fingers should be able to move that fast! We chose this CD because it was done live, and thought it would show his artistic freedom to soar to unknown heights that wouldn't be captured in the studio. He didn't let us down. He obviously loves what does and as a listener you can't help but be caught up in it. I may not know all the "correct" musical qualities to look / listen for, but I do feel that if you want to hear one of the most talented, innovative young people around today, you owe it to yourself to invest in at least one of his CDs, and this is a good place to start.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The man can jam!, June 19, 2003

By 

"sethdk" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live at the Wetlands (Dig) (Audio CD)

After much anticipation, I finally got to experience Robert Randolph live last night in Boston. I had goose bumps immediately as the set started and the pedal steel began to wail. Simply great music that gets the blood pumping and the feet moving. I've been listening to this CD nearly every weekend for the last few months, as Randolph and company have the amazing ability to both relax and energize the mind and soul. Unlike anything you will ever listen to, this is one of the greatest live performances out there. A must buy, and a must see if Randolph & Family are in town.