Published: July 31, 2008 03:24 pm            

MOLSON CONCERTS: Spending some family time

Robert Randolph and the Family Band are coming to Lockport

STAFF REPORTS

Robert Randolph and the Family Band are playing at the Molson Canal Concert Series on Friday and there ain’t nothin’ wrong with that.

The well-known artists have appeared on television, have had guests spots on a few albums and have performed a number of live shows. But recently, the Grammy-nominated group has been working on putting out a memorable album, aside from keeping up on its touring.

“Colorblind” is the group’s third album. The album includes “Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong with That,” and the slower “Blessed,” which shows off Randolph’s more spiritual, introspective side, according to his Web site. And the album also features a version of the Byrds’ “Jesus is Just Alright With Me,” featuring Randolph and Eric Clapton. The band also performs a song, “Love is the Only Way,” with the Dave Matthews Band, LeRoi Moore and Rashawn Ross.

Randolph has toured with Clapton, as well as the Dave Matthews Band. He has also played with musician Carlos Santana.

The song, “Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong With That,” has been used for a number of commercials for NBC and the Discovery Channel, the television show “Grey’s Anatomy,” and the movie “Stomp the Yard.”

The Family Band consists of Randolph on guitars, vocals and the pedal steel guitar, Marcus Randolph on drums, Danyel Morgan on bass and vocals and Jason Crosby on Hammond organ, keyboards and piano. Their other two albums include “Unclassified,” released in 2003 and nominated for two Grammy Awards, and “Live from the Wetlands” in 2002.

Prior to “Colorblind” being released, Randolph and the Family Band were known for their lively concerts. Randolph has been known to start dancing while playing, and even getting the audience involved in the show in a number of ways. For some songs, he has had audience members come up on stage.

But even with the lively shows, Randolph and the Family Band has attempted to put out an album that really stood out. According to the band’s Web site, www.robertrandolph.net, Randolph set some new goals for his second studio album — something he wanted to stand on its own, not just be a souvenir of a great concert. For inspiration, he went back to some classic sources.

“I listened to Sly Stone, a lot of Hendrix, Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder,” he said. “Then I’d go back to a church service and I’d think, I want “Colorblind” to be a mixture of all of these things.”

Friday’s concert starts off at 5:30 p.m. in the Ulrich City Centre on Main Street, with opening acts Robert Bradley, Eric Solomon and Handsome Jack.

        

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