Robert Randolph on Austin City Limits

Gary Boyett · Post by **Gary Boyett** » 2 May 2007 3:33 am

Has anybody else caught Robert on ACL?
Wow what a non-pedal workshop that was. Some people might not like that kind of playing but I Loved it!
Robert plays a pedal steel but I never saw him hit one pedal. Robert also had three other mentor's with him. Two played standing and just smoked the strings.

I know Robert has taken a lot of heat from the pedal steel side of this forum but I think he is doing a great thing bringing the steel up front and the younger generation love him. He said he is working on something with Santana. That should be fun.

What do you think?

Scott Rogers · Post by **Scott Rogers** » 2 May 2007 4:35 am

I've seen RR in various venues. First time was in Auburn, AL at the War Eagle Supper Club,,, from there on it was big festivals and even bigger stages. I can say he definitely raised my eyebrows on steel playing (being I'd never heard of Voodoo Child on steel), but having seen him a couple of times, if you've seen him once, you've seen it 1000 times. His shows are chock full of energy.. his playing is WAY over the top.. I found myself always longing to hear him play a little more in a traditional mode, but either way, he can rip it up! Loads of live shows at the Archive.org Live Music Site.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 2 May 2007 5:01 am

A player should be appreciated for what he does rather than for what others think he is supposed to do.

Every musician brings something to the table.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 2 May 2007 7:56 am

I'm assuming this episode of Austin City Limits is the one that has been discussed here a number of times, and it was recorded in Oct., 2004.

If that's the case, then the reference to Santana would likely be about the track, "Trinity," from Carlos' 2005 release, All That I Am, which features Robert, Kirk Hammett of Metallica, and Carlos, trading off leads. A nice piece of work, and pretty much straight ahead rock with a bit of the Santana Latin touch.

Vince Luke · Post by **Vince Luke** » 2 May 2007 10:31 am

There've been at least two Austin City Limits w/Robert Randolph (although, come to think of it, this one you're talking about could just be the full version of the first one I saw). Several years back there was an episode that was split between him and another artist, so his televised portion was just 20 min. or so. I'd never heard of him, but he blew me away--really dynamic performer. Sometime after that I saw him play live at an in-store performance in Denver with just his bass player and drummer. Wasn't 'til after the performance ended and the crowd thinned that I saw that he'd been playing a little 6-string National steel instead of his 13-string pedal monster. I'm sure more educated/discriminating ears would've picked up on that sooner, but the performance didn't suffer--definitely Robert Randolph-y!

And if you enjoyed the ACL performances of Robert's sacred steel guests I'd recommend None but the Righteous , which is available on the forum's store I think. It has each of the fellows (except Robert) from the program and more. It's a nice survey of the variety of performers' styles within that genre.

Vince

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 2 May 2007 12:12 pm

Moved to Steel Players from Steel Without Pedals.

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 2 May 2007 12:41 pm

RR is the man. I love his stuff... couldn't do what he's doing if I practiced 10 hours a day for the rest of my life.

Mark Zinns · Post by **Mark Zinns** » 2 May 2007 12:57 pm

Saw RR in SF with my sister and her kids. We all agreed that it was the best live rock show we had ever been to. Super high energy, great band and just alot of fun. As a steel guitar show, it was lacking, but for pure entertainment, it was great.

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 2 May 2007 1:15 pm

love the player, love the tone...
I just dont like the songs.
I wish he'd take it in another direction becuase you can tell he can go there. something more extreme than bluesy jams with dave matthews or cheese curd incident or whomever is wearing the tie-dye dujour.

hey, you asked......

one can of worms coming right up.
fantastic player tho.....could anyone really argue otherwise?

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 2 May 2007 2:45 pm

RR is the man. I love his stuff... couldn't do what he's doing if I practiced 10 hours a day for the rest of my life.

I'm a fan of RR too ... bought "The Word" and saw him on his first Letterman show.

But Jeff ... it works both ways ...

I seriously doubt that he could do what you do ... if he practiced 10 hrs a day for the rest of his life.

And anyone who's heard you ... will agree

Gary Boyett · Post by **Gary Boyett** » 2 May 2007 4:53 pm

I really don't know why you moved this. It was more about the non-pedal players.. but you are the boss.

This may have been from 2004. I didn't catch the date. It was still the best show I have seen on ACL since SRV was there.

( now I shouldn't say that, Stevie used pedals too)

Bowie Martin · Post by **Bowie Martin** » 3 May 2007 3:45 pm

I love Lloyd Green, Buddy Emmons, Jimmy Day, and now Paul Franklin, etc., and that is what I love (and try) to play. But, at 70 years old, I certainly appreciate what RR brings to the stage. I really enjoy his playing.. he opens steel up to a brand new audience, and I appreciate that.