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    Robert Randolph - The Fillmore - 03.31.17
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    Robert Randolph - The Fillmore - 03.31.17
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    Robert Randolph - The Fillmore - 03.31.17
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    Robert Randolph - The Fillmore - 03.31.17
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    Robert Randolph - The Fillmore - 03.31.17
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    Robert Randolph - The Fillmore - 03.31.17
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    Robert Randolph - The Fillmore - 03.31.17
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    Robert Randolph - The Fillmore - 03.31.17

SF Concert Reviews: Robert Randolph Rocks San Francisco

in Photos/SF Concert Reviews by

Rarely does one come across talent such as the one that stopped by the Fillmore in San Francisco last night. While it is true that most guitarists like to play their instruments upright, in the case of Robert Randolph, horizontally seemed like the obvious choice. And according to the notes and melodies that were emanating from the instrument on this rare warm night in the city by the Bay, it was hard to argue otherwise.

Under some foggy lighting at the legendary venue, the axeman with the charming smile and sharp looks led the crowd away on a blues-filled adventure, one legendary lick onto the next, teaching us all what music is really about. It had soul, passion, and lyrical melodies, but most of all real instruments — a far cry from the computer generated synth-pop that we’ve all sadly become accustomed to.

Randolph was celebrating the release of his new album Got Soul, one that he describes as taking root in his past as a church musician from his hometown of New Jersey. He’s been quoted as saying in the press that “The music takes me back to the roots of who I am, where I came from,” Randolph says. “It’s got an upbeat, positive church/gospel/rock/bluesy vibe to it. I’m like a rock and roll preacher on Got Soul.”

The name of the album, drawn from the title track and the song into which it commences, is Randolph’s way of saying that we all need to reconnect with who we really are. “People like Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters, Elvis and the Stones, they were all in tune with their soul,” Randolph says. “When you’re digging deep in your soul, you can always find originality. People got soul everywhere.”

Often called the “Jimi Hendrix of the pedal steel guitar,” and named one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time by Rolling Stone’s David Fricke, Randolph has given a new voice to a classic instrument. Last night, it only took a few licks to move the crowd into a frenzy and reaffirm that what they were witnessing was not only fun, but also one of the most exciting and innovative musical contributions in quite some time.

Photos courtesy of Louis Raphael Photography

Having released albums under Digital Nations, a label founded by Steve Vai, music critic Louis Raphael has remained deeply connected to the pulse of the San Francisco music scene. Following his tenure as the San Francisco Music Examiner for Examiner.com and AXS.com, he embarked on creating Music in SF® to authentically highlight the vibrant offerings of the city's music scene.

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