Click here to see the Robert Randolph photos.

Robert Randolph is a show not to miss when he comes to town, the guy exudes pure energy through his electric pedal steel guitar. His shows are always very upbeat as a lot of his songs are in the major scales instead of the typical blues in the minor voicing and lyrics are also filled with hope and inspiration without going overboard making this a very good choice of band for Messiah College to host.

I remember reading a long time ago that Robert played a pedal steel in his church when he was younger and the first time he heard Jimi Hendrix he knew he had to start a band. Robert Randolph has mastered his instrument only like he can… He is the Jimi Hendrix of the pedal steel, much like Bela Fleck is the Jimi Hendrix of the banjo. He has been on tour with the nations largest acts including Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews Band, etc… and he has also made appearances on a collection of other band’s albums.

The opening band was Sons of Bill was the opening band which bordered the lines of both country and rock reminding me in a way of the rock songs from Gin Blossoms or Craker all in all a good band that got the heads bobbing. The electric guitar player provided the evenings rock with some pretty good solos…. He was wearing an Alice in Chains (circa “Dirt” album) so i knew we were in good hands.

Click here to see the Sons of Bill photos.

The setlist and a link to download or stream the set from Robert Randolph and the Family Band are below:

http://www.archive.org/details/RRFB2008-04-05.spc4

Tuning
Jam
I Need More Love > Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ %% > I Need More Love
Feel Good Jam
Press On !!
Shake Your Hips
Nobody
Jam $$ ^^ ** &&
The March ** &&
Pre-Encore Crowd Noise
Jam > 7 Nation Army ## > Jam
Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That

Notes:
%% – Michael Jackson Cover.
!! – Danyel Morgan on vocals.
$$ – Louisiana Bayou Tease.
^^ – 1 guest guitar player.
** – Max Freilich from Audience on the B3 organ.

&& – Billie Jean Tease.
## – White Stripes Cover.
Audience Guest remains on the B3 Organ during The March.