“It’s cool being called a supergroup because everybody in the band is a super musician,” he says. “When you get the chance to put all of these guys from different bands into one band and then into the same room where everyone can share all of their experiences, it becomes a magical kind of music. New creative energy comes out and everybody has so many more ideas – there’s influences of gospel, rock’n’roll, old blues and new blues when we get into the studio. It’s so much fun, and so spontaneous.”
Joining Randolph onstage are keyboardist John Medeski, guitarist Luther Dickinson, drummer Cody Dickinson and bassist Chris Chew. Together they create a brand of improvised gospel known as sacred steel.
“Anyone familiar with the Buena Vista Social Club, they’re basically what sacred steel is,” Randolph says. “The Pentecostal church is an organisation that goes back to the 1920s in America, and I grew up watching all of my sacred steel forefathers in that church, wanting to be like those guys.
“At the same time a lot of other guitar players have been influential on my style, from Jack White to Derek Trucks to Eric Clapton and Santana. So I’ve also had some contemporary influences, and that’s the great thing about music – it’s always ongoing, and there will always be new influences.”
The Word’s second album Soul Food was 14 years in the making, but it didn’t fail to live up to the precedent set by their self-titled debut from 2001. It showcases a much tighter band, with each musician playing harder and more purposefully.
“Years passed and we had talked about doing so many different things, writing and recording, and it all just finally came together naturally,” Randolph says. “We felt like the time was right and it happened quite organically. It was great because years go by and we had let all of these different influences come by and sink in, and things kind of came full circle as we listened to the first record we made. We were telling stories and re-educating everybody on what it means to be The Word. It was this new, sort of old energy, which was really fun.”
With such a diverse and talented bunch of musicians involved, one might think the recording process would be difficult to orchestrate. But Randolph speaks with cheerful optimism about the collaboration.
“I think in years past we used to say it was hard, but now we’ve gotten back on task it’s become really easy. It’s become quite simple to just get into the studio and hit record. The advantage of today is that we can send each other music and ideas online, so by the time we all get into the studio, we’re ready to plug in and go for it.”
Randolph customarily tours the world with a number of specialty pedal steel guitars. When The Word come down to Australia next year, he’ll be seeking an Aussie roadie to take care of his catalogue of rare, custom made guitars.
“I’ve got an acoustic pedal steel guitar, and a stand up pedal steel guitar. Actually, I’ve got so many types of guitars now it’s added a whole lot to the show and the vibe of what we do. We won’t be bringing all of the roadies to Australia, so we’ll have to find some Australian roadies along the way, which should be fun.”
It’s always refreshing to hear someone speak confidently about their music in a manner that doesn’t ooze arrogance and superiority, and Randolph seems well rehearsed in it. The fact that his excitement for the Australian tour is palpable just makes the guy even more likeable.
“Yeah, it’s going to be awesome. I can’t wait – I love Bluesfest. It’s such a great festival. We’ve been talking about it ever since we heard that we were coming back to Australia and I can’t wait to be there. It’s so much fun to spend a couple of days in Byron Bay. You’re right on the beach, you get to play twice and it’s such a great vibe. I’ve been to Australia twice before with Robert Randolph and the Family Band, but not as The Word, so this will be awesome. Australia is one of my favourite places, and I’m not just saying that. I even told a promoter last time, ‘I’d like to come here every year if I can’.”
BY TEGAN REEVES
