UMC.org Music Review
Robert Randolph: Colorblind
Label: Warner Brothers
Sound/Style: Funk-rock with soul and gospel elements
By Steve Morley
(UMC.org)—The use of amplified steel guitar in worship was once only a little-known tradition in the Pentecostal-based House of God denomination. The instrument was first used in a Philadelphia church during the mid-1930s, with innovators like Willie Eason and Henry Nelson sparking a musical revolution that remained behind church doors. In the last decade, the "sacred steel" sound has gathered a head of steam, bringing notoriety to its pioneers as well as its younger disciples. Both generations of players channel blues influences and employ a fervency that easily lends itself to rock music. Enter Robert Randolph, a New Jersey House of God musician who sent the sanctified sound spilling into the streets—and into the international spotlight—by fusing it with rock and funk elements. Randolph, an African-American who hopes to offer black musicians an alternative to the often violent rap culture, has already established a presence among the ranks of star guitarists like Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton. Clapton's guest appearance on Randolph's latest CD, Colorblind, single-handedly validates the young musician's contribution to the pop mainstream. Their duet on the classic rock staple "Jesus Is Just Alright" proves that the sacred in "sacred steel" need not be entirely lost in translation: "Jesus is just alright with me/ Jesus is just alright, oh, yeah/ Jesus, He's my friend/ Jesus, He's my friend."
Interestingly, though, it's this secular hit song (recorded by The Doobie Brothers) that offers the most openly evangelical message on the disc. Elsewhere, Randolph's Pentecostal beginnings show up primarily in his unharnessed emotionalism. The concept of eternity seems oddly distant on "Thrill of It," a song currently gaining Randolph and his band regular exposure on ABC's Saturday Night Primetime College Football. More than any other, this track sums up the immediacy inherent in this music of the moment and for the moment: "I'm on this ride for the thrill of it/ Livin' the dream, that's what life's all about."
Tracks like "Blessed," "Angels" and a cover of Sly Stone's "Thankful and Thoughtful" are loosely built around faith concepts and provide a decidedly positive slant to the album. At times, though, the lyrics take an easy, slogan-like approach that seems more intent on good vibes than true spiritual discourse. "Love is the Only Way," featuring Dave Matthews, is an especially hollow attempt at a post-hippie love anthem—big on idealism but light on concrete ideas: "Yes, it's the only solution/ Love is the only way in/ Love is the only way in/ Everybody's comin'/ Be sure to bring your friends/ It's gonna be a big time/ Blow your head wide open."
An exception is "Deliver Me," a hard-driving shuffle that sounds like rocker Lenny Kravitz fronting '70s groovemeisters Parliament/Funkadelic. Randolph's vocal isn't always easy to make out, but here he seems to be addressing temptation and confessing his inability to conquer it in his own power: "If I'm ever gonna save myself/ I've gotta turn to someone else/ I know, I know we got to get real/ If I'm ever gonna find my soul/ I guess I gotta lose control/ I guess I'll just surrender the will."
If Randolph's Christian roots don't always anchor the record, keep in mind that its message is secondary to his exciting, supercharged guitar work, which speaks an upbeat language of its own to a growing faction of fans. Randolph's goal here isn't so much to preach as it is to shatter preconceptions about the kinds of music that African-Americans can make. With Colorblind, Randolph and his Family Band make significant strides toward opening eyes and ears to new possibilities.
Audio Clips
"Ain't Nothing Wrong with That"
"Deliver Me"
"Diane"
"Angels"
|
Podcast
Movie Review RSS Feed