Album Reviews
Movie Reviews
Concert Reviews

Top 10
Resources
Time Wasters
Contact Us

Potential, that is the one word that continues to come up in my mind when listening to Robert Randolph and the Family Bands (RRFB) new album, Colorblind. If you have seen and heard the energy he emits on the live stage you can understand why a question over potential arises. He is a special musician that has unrivaled skill on the slide guitar. The problem is it does not translate well onto a controlled album. To my pleasant surprise the new album is a movement in the right direction of demonstrating the skill of the musicians. 

The third album for Robert Randolph and the family band is their best to date with movement towards an edgier rock sound, but keeping up with a wide range of other musical styling such as blues, funk and gospel.

From the first few beats and notes on the first track the listener begins to have fun with the energy that emits over the speakers. Generally, you can claim that about all the music RRFB has recorded, it is fun and high energy.  From the first guitar squeal on the album, you will be tapping your foot and feeling like you should be dancing around. “Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That” is the first song to pop out at you with a solid clapping rock beat that has a rock and hip hop sound. If you have watched NBC at all recently you have heard clips of the song during their line up promotions. This song is the epitome of the fun and energy that you should expect with RRFB’s music. 

You will also find a few cameo appearances on the album, that help make listening such a pleasure. One such song is a cover song, “Jesus is Just Alright,” that features Eric Clapton on guitar. If you had any doubts how good Robert Randolph is on slide guitar this will answer the question. As Clapton and Randolph effortlessly mimic each other at various junctions. This song much like the rest of the album, is all about the music being played and not the words being sung. But, something special occurs between Clapton and Randolph that is mouth watering enjoyable to listen to their collective skill. Randolph starts off with a pulsing rhythm for the song that Clapton interacts with. Then the song shifts down tempo into a bluesy version and Randolph just seems to explode with his solo. It hits up tempo again to keep things fun and lively and it seems to grind to a halt with just a drum beat and guitar. Clapton begins to explode at this point to not be out done by Randolph. Make sure you pay attention to the music and what is going on, or you are going to miss some spectacular playing by Clapton and Randolph. 

The album slows down at this point with the pop and gospel infused song, Stronger featuring Leela James. It seems out of place after the phenomenal song with Clapton. Another interesting song features Dave Matthews. Randolph and Matthews sound like they should be playing together. The song, "Love is the Only Way," is clearly a Matthews style tune where RRFB takes too much of a back seat.  

While the album is a step in the right direction and excellent in all respects, it leaves you expecting and longing for more of Randolph’s unrestrained energy. He is less confined and more mature musically but he has by no means hit his peak. Randolph is still learning how to express his musical ability. The album is excellent but too controlled at times and the lyrics will be too vague, but they are wholesome and clean. The album should be listed on one of the top albums of 2006 by a Christian musician. 
 

Robert W. Blake