Photos by Kelly Huesemann
The Scene: The late winter snow finally started to melt this week and the south Broadway corridor was feeling the warmer weather Saturday night. The area was so busy that the popularMoes BBQ next door to The Gothic Theater had sold-out of all their BBQ by 9:30! The Gothicwas hosting a gathering of new generation soulful Blues players who have modernized the sounds of Blues, Soul and Rock and Roll. Once inside I noticed that there was a wide variety of ages represented at the show and I was interested in how the mixture would hold up during the evening. It became apparent that there would be some tension between the younger and older. With superstars gracing the stages of our smaller venues here in Denver a more intimate gathering is created but the crowds are larger and personal space and saved seating has become nonexistent. This may have become a surprise to those used to smaller crowds gathering at the Gothic but these days we are all trying to get the best view of the band creating the music we love. It’s important to remember that and we also need to understand that we’re all there for the same reason, the music.
Opener: Fox Street. Local favorites, Fox Street opened the night with the gritty Rock and Soul they are known for. Saturday night marked yet another opportunity for the boys to open for the Soul Funk super star Robert Randolph. Previous shows included gigs in Boulder and Aspen and even a late night jam session at the Rawa Blues Festival in Poland during their late 2014 European tour. Their set for the night was filled with new material that will be on their upcoming release currently being recorded. “Justified” features jazzy sax and keyboards and gave the crowd plenty of energy to dance it out. Slowing down, “Ain’t it Easy,” is a Rock and Roll ballad that features Jon Huvard’s gritty vocals, James Dumm’s ringing guitar riffs and growling and sexy backing saxophone from Micro Altenbach.
“Long Road Home” is a powerhouse jam, “Ain’t that a Bitch” a pumped up blues song that makes you sing along and “Ride with your Baby” and “Somebody” showcased more soulful vocals, bluesy guitar and punchy sax. The Fox Street sound is eclectic and jam packed with all the good things that Blues, Soul and Rock have to offer. Lead singer Jonathon “Skippy” Huvard summed up his band’s excitement for the show when he said “I listened to Robert through high school and college and now we’ve opened for them several times? It’s just awesome!”
Robert Randolph and The Family Band: Robert Randolph and The Family Band are nothing short of extraordinary. True to their name, Robert has employed his real family members to create the soulful, upbeat Rock, Soul, Jam, Funk fusion he is known for. I don’t know any other band that comes together and produces such outstanding guitar riffs and unique Blues and Soul melodies. The main event is Robert with his pedal steel guitar and unique gruff and falsetto singing. He engages his crowd and keeps them dancing.
Stepping on stage he emulated Jimi Hendrix with a scarf tied around his head as he plunged deep into catchy guitar grooves. Opening with an instrumental jam, the band was just starting the sparks of the fire. Anyone who has ever listened to BB King, Bootsy Collins or Canned Heat can appreciate what Randolph and his band do on stage. They bring the party and Robert is a force of musical genius. Lenesha Randolph is the fierce little sister to the Funk master and she puts the S in Soul. Joining the group after the opening song, her voice carries and she makes you want to move and groove with her during her improvised chorus, an ode to the Colorado experience, “it was a sweet, chewy cheba chew, so high, have to touch the sky.” Robert didn’t let the energy wane from the performance for a second as he threw his legs in the air and jumped up from his seat to shout “gimme some BB” to guitarist Brett Haas and “gimme some Bootsy” from bassist Daniel Morgan during “Brand New Wayo” from their newest album Lickity Split. A funky must-dance-to song that grinds and slays with funky chords from Robert’s steel guitar. The band is tight and their harmonies are unified during every beat.
The highlight the show for me was Haas and Randolph’s rendition of Bill Withers’ “Use Me.” This brought whoops and woos from the crowd, singing along to the vintage track. The second hour started off with a bang when girls from the crowd were pulled on stage to shake it during “Shake your Hips.” Cousin Markus Randolph made sure to grab solo moments to make the girls jiggle and shake with every drum beat. Randolph instructed the crowd to grab that someone special and give them a hug during “Just Might be the One,” which gave you that lovin’ feeling with its Reggae undertones, groovy slide guitar and backing guitar from Brett Haas. The night was winding down and we were all thankful for a few more during their encore. The lights lowered into the blue and a slow and sexy soul jam with a trace of Pink Floyd rocked the patrons to a deep concentration. The show couldn’t stop on a slow note so “I Don’t Know What You Come to do” got all your last bits of energy out and Robert sent us home grinning.
Energy: B+
Musicianship: A+
Sound: B
Stage Presence: C
Lights: C
Overall: B
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