ROBERT RANDOLPH IGNITES BOULDER

Considering the amount of hype I've thrown around via email in the past two weeks about Robert Randolph's first trip to Colorado I will personally reimburse the ticket price for anyone who attended last night's show and did not have a good time... Because it was impossible to resist the genuine emotion and amazing music that was flying through the air at the Fox last night!

What a beautiful show Robert Randolph and the Family Band put on. Within five minutes Robert had every one of the 350 patrons of the Fox Theatre in unison to the groove the Family Band was throwing down. At times the show resembled a tent revival with people throwing their hands in the air and participating in Robert's call and response. It was as if the audience was gunpowder and the sound waves coming from the PA was a lit match. During the second song of their long set, each of the band members turned to each other and exchanged giddy looks of excitement as the crowd reacted to every note peeling off of Robert's steel. Something very special was going down at the Fox and everyone in the building could feel it.

By ten minutes into the show more than half of the congregation knew they were in this for the long haul. In an especially poignant moment Robert got up from his steel during "I Get Joy" and spoke to the crowd; "See, this song talks about how I feel about all y'all coming out here tonight. You know what I'm saying? This is our first time playing in Boulder, Colorado. Let me tell you something - I lost a bet tonight, I bet that there wouldn't be more than 200 people here tonight. You know what I'm saying? I am just so happy right now, I don't know what to do... I am about to lose my mind!"

It was at moments like this that Robert's genuine and honest talent as a musician and a human being came through to the audience. And the audience was compelled to send that positive energy back to Robert and the band.

During "The March," the audience followed Robert's lead in a marching dance step. The highlight was seeing Robert fly through the air from the top of one of his amps... This guy was showing all of his 24 years during moments like this. What Robert lacks in experience he makes up for in charisma and pure talent. At times watching him perform feels like seeing electricity personified.

"Shake Your Hips" was hilarious with Robert commanding all the women to shake their hips, then all of the men, then each band member... All the while laughing and dancing and singing and smiling.

"I Don't Know What You Come To Do" clocked in at over 20 minutes as the crowd and Robert fed off of each other's energy, rising to frenzied crescendos of clapping, stomping and screaming. Church was officially in session and the religion being preached was Being Human.

Robert and the Family band tore it up for nearly three straight hours and played what the illustrious Family Band crew member, Danny Owen, told me was the best show they've played in a long while and quite possibly ever. For all of you who did not attend last night's show, you WILL see Robert play the next time he is in town - don't be ashamed, everyone is treated like family at a Family Band show.

For those of you who were there, now you know what it means to do The March! PRESS ON!

Words and Photos | Ted Rockwell
JamBase | Boulder, CO

Salsa Ted's Jam I Get Joy The March Shake Your Hips Pressing My Way VooDoo Child I Don't Know What You Come to Do > ?unknown gospel tune? > I Don't Know What you come to do Thank You Falletten Me Be Mice Elf Calypso Lovelight (with Olga Munding on Vocals) Run for Your Life E: Tears Of Joy > I Don't Know What You Come to do (reprise)