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Sacred Steel guitar maestro, Robert Randolph has come a long way since the days of leading church worship to becoming one of the most recognized guitar players in the country.  Randolph’s highly anticipated third album – We Walk This Road – is a work of art that began over two years ago with roots pioneer and producer extraordinaire, T Bone Burnett.  Randolph and Burnett went through volumes of gospel, blues, and roots music some of which dating back over a 100 years before they decided on an album mostly of covers of artists ranging from Bob Dylan to Blind Willie McTell to Prince.  The result is a walk through time into music of soul and inspirational themes bringing a hip and refreshing sound without losing the reverence and timeless quality of the songs. 

Blind Willie McTell’s, “Traveling Shoes,”  starts the record with a bang bringing a bluesy romp into the 21st century with Randolph’s steel playing in the forefront, while showing respect for the original by looping in the original recording in the beginning and ending of the song.  Standout tracks include the infectious zombie-like romp, “Dry Bones” and the updated spiritual, “If I Had My Way” featuring Ben Harper on vocals and guitar.  Other highlights include the hope inspiring, “I Still Belong to Jesus” and a bluesy cover of Bob Dylan’s “Shot of Love.”    This is not an all covers album, as two originals are featured including the hip-hop flavored, “Back to the Wall,”  and the funk-laden “ I’m not Listening.”   Robert Randolph has finally made the iconic album that we’ve been waiting for with We Walk This Road.

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