Robert Randolph & The Family Band's new album We Walk This Road is set for release this June on Warner Bros. Records. Produced by the legendary T-Bone Burnett, the album continues the Sacred Steel tradition for which Randolph has earned wide praise. Accompanied by his Sacred Steel mentors, Randolph will embark on the "Experience Hendrix Tour" beginning March 10 in San Francisco. The tour also features Los Lobos, Ernie Isley, Joe Satriani, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and others.
Throughout the recording of We Walk This Road, Randolph and Burnett worked closely together as archivists, discovering songsdecade by decadefrom the 20th century American music canon.
The songs they uncovered, ranging from blues and rock to field recordings and gospel, serve as the inspiration for the 11 songs on We Walk This Road. Recorded at the Village Recorders and Electro Magnetic Studio, the album includes "If I Had My Way" (featuring Ben Harper), "Salvation" (featuring Leon Russell), and reinterpretations of Prince's "Walk Don't Walk," Bob Dylan's "Shot Of Love," (featuring Jim Keltner, who played drums on the original version) and John Lennon's "I Don't Wanna Be A Soldier Mama" (featuring Doyle Bramhall II).
Of the album, Randolph says "T-Bone and I drew a lot from the past while we were making this record, but I think it really is a record for these times. I think the fact that I, as a young guy who likes hip-hop and gospel, am reaching back into this rich history of American roots music will appeal to people who are fifteen, and people who are seventy-five years old. T-Bone opened my eyes to great archival music. He's a link between the past and the present."
*"Experience Hendrix Tour"
Featuring B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Albert Lee, The Allman Brothers Band and more
March 10 Warfield Theatre San Francisco, CA*
March 11 Warfield Theatre San Francisco, CA*
March 14 Paramount Theatre Denver, CO*
March 16 Uptown Theatre Kansas City, MO*
March 17 Orpheum Theatre Minneapolis, MN*
March 18 Chicago Theatre Chicago, IL*
March 20 Fox Theatre St. Louis, MO*
March 21 Riverside Theatre Milwaukee, WI*
March 23 Civic Theatre Akron, OH*
March 24 Wellmont Theatre Montclair, NJ*
March 25 Count Basie Theatre Red Bank, NJ*
March 27 Fox Theatre Atlanta, GA*
May16 First Flush Festival Wadmalaw Island, SC
June 13 Hollywood Bowl Los Angeles, CA
June 26 Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival Bridgeview, IL