When Robert Randolph brings his family band along anywhere near where I live (and sometimes not so near) I make sure I see him. Part revival meeting, part instrumental master, with equal parts new age and old soul Robert Randolph has never disappointed always bringing a fresh approach with massive passion to anything he plays.
Somehow this song passed me by, I didn’t come across it until late tonight as I was surfing the Yahoo Blues Channel for a trip back to some blues guitar songs I had overlooked in what has been a pretty powerful year despite it becoming harder and harder to see or hear your favorite blues acts these days.
“If I Had My Way” is a swinging country blues number that allows Robert’s Family Band to show off their incredible talent – each one equally unique and soulful in his and her own right. Take a listen, for the die-hard Robert Randolph fan, there is something great about mixing his pedal slide guitar in with a different grooving style than you typically have heard from him in the past…love to see this one live.
What do you think?
Filed under slide guitar by on Oct 11th, 2011. Comment. 
I still remember fondly one of my very first concerts back in the mid 1990’s saw Johnny Winter play the National Arts Center Theatre here in Ottawa…a venue typically reserved for proper theatre goers rather than loud, heavy drinking bikers, youth and blues revellers – but that night turned out to be magic.
It was funny, he tore off on an amazing version of Highway 61 – when some huge motor started up and interfered with the sound. He stopped for a few seconds, cranked up the amp and exclaimed “fu*! it” and hit it even harder…ahh…the moments you remember 🙂
Since then I’ve had the great fortune of seeing him dozens more times around the world – here at the Ottawa bluesfest a few times as well.
No doubt, his health went down hill and there were a few concerts I didn’t know if it may be the last time I see him.
But, the pheonix rises, Johnny sounds better than he has in a long, long time (though his guitar work never really suffered showing the true talent of this legend). All of this has culminated in a new CD titled “Roots”
My personal favorites:
“Dust My Broom” is a perfect fit for Johnny’s awesome slide and rough (but great sounding) voice. Pretty much anyone who listens to blues music will know this song as it has been covered by all the greats – having been orginally written by Elmore James (made more famous by Robert Johnson)
“Maybellene” – Yep, Johnny Winter does Chuck Berry with the help of Vince Gill on guitar. I really like the different side of Johnny’s vocals on this one with some tasty Texas rapidfire guitar thrown in for good measure
“Further On Up The Road” – Oh ya, I love the texas shuffle, and T-Bone was the master. Johnny stays true to the original form and adds his own stinging licks to this one. Damn…now I have to go through the entire day with that shuffle inside my head
Other collaborations on this tasty CD include Susan Tedeschi (wherever Derek Trucks goes these days Susan is right there at his side), a nice shuffle with Edgar Winter (his brother).
But really, there is not a bad tune on this CD…great blues all around. I assume Roots will be up for some serious blues awards, it truly deserves it.
Do you have the CD, what do you think?
Filed under texas blues by on Oct 11th, 2011. Comment.
Isn’t it always the case that you take for granted what has always been around you…that’s certainly the case with blues guitar man David Gogo who has been playing Ottawa and Canadian blues venues as long as I can remember.
I remember seeing him in his 20’s – hard to believe he’s now in his 40’s, but then again I’m having trouble admitting I am now 44-years young!
A big huge shout out goes to guys like David Gogo, Tony D, and of course the Canadian Prime Minister of the Blues Dutch Mason who haven’t compromised their passion for the blues by playing more generic crap that may have a better chance of hitting the airwaves.
At 43 Gogo now finds himself opening for the renewed Johnny Winter Canadian dates across Western Canada – some well deserved attention and no-doubt a blast to be playing with one of the greats who shared the stage with MuddyWaters
Here’s a taste of Gogo’s slide playing –
We recently found out that Gogo is up for some tasty blues awards (Juno’s) and is getting some good press on tour with Johnny – good for him – for a bluesman he’s ahead of the curve at only 43 🙂
Let us know what you think of David’s tasty blues guitar work, leave us a comment.
Filed under blues guitar by on Oct 17th, 2011. Comment.
