Arguably the modern king of the pedal steel guitar, Robert Randolph has been a big deal and a big draw for almost 15 years. Not only renowned for his high-energy festival performances with his Family Band, Robert has been featured on recordings from a wide variety of artists including Rob Thomas, Elton John, Ringo Starr, Buddy Guy, Santana and the Dave Matthews Band. In turn, it may not be surprising that Robert – a New Jersey native – is always working.
The Word, which first launched in 2000, is arguably the world’s only “sacred steel” supergroup. Besides Robert, The Word includes Martin Medeski & Wood’s John Medeski and Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson and Chris Chew of The North Mississippi Allstars. While The Word put out its first album in 2001, Soul Food – its 2015 release for Vanguard Records – is only the group’s second full-length.
Robert took the time to answer some questions for Downtown about The Word and their upcoming October 16th show at Webster Hall. Within such, he clarified what took the band so long to record their sophomore release, even though there were some touring done between the two albums.
What do you wish more people knew about The Word?
Robert: I wish they knew the history of The Word, how it was formed and why.
How would you describe Soul Food to someone who hasn’t yet heard it?
R: Soul Food is a mix of spiritual and traditional songs, but all of the spirituality makes you want to have a great rock n’ roll time.
Your first album came out almost 15 years ago, but there were several tours between your first and second albums coming out. Were there attempts at recording in the years between?
R: We attempted to record a couple times since then, but schedules always conflicted with labels and tours.
What’s to be expected from your upcoming show at Webster Hall? Is it more of a jam-based sound than what’s on your records?
R: I would say it’s a bit of everything. Old and new songs. The one thing The Word is known for is on the spot improv jamming with melodies that take you to an unknown, unexpected place.
Was it always the plan for your group to be mostly-instrumental?
R: Yes, that was always the plan from the beginning. If people knew where I came from, it’s out of the church playing what they call “sacred steel,” which is all based on improv instrumentals. 15 years ago when I was young, they wanted to include me.
When someone refers to The Word as a “supergroup,” is that something you like?
R: Everybody is a super-great musician with their own band and different things. Each member makes up their own song and instrumentals, and when you bring it all together, it’s called a “supergroup.” It might be more of a mini-supergroup.
What’s the hardest part of being a part of The Word? Is it the logistics of finding mutually-free time between you three?
R: Yeah, I’d say getting the schedules down and figuring out where everyone is at and coming from, how we’re going to rehearse and work on new stuff. When we do get together, we always come up with five to ten songs within a day. There will be plenty of new material on this new tour just from soundcheck.
When you’re not busy with touring or recording, what do you like to do with yourself?
R: Write a bunch of songs…My new hobby is learning how to fix cars.
After this tour wraps, what’s ahead for The Word?
R: Not sure. There are always plans for live or acoustic studio albums. Lots of ideas being kicked around and lots of shows in the future. We have a tour in Australia in the spring.
Finally, Robert, any last words for the kids?
R: People can expect a great tour, great shows, new and old material, and we promise not to play each song past 10 minutes.
-by Darren Paltrowitz
