Randall Bramblett - Fridays After Five

Randall Bramblett's distinguished body of work is defined by a triple threat career as an acclaimed solo artist, an in-demand songwriter and a first call sideman. Among the artists who’ve recorded and performed Bramblett’s songs are Bettye LaVette, Hot Tuna, Delbert McClinton and most notably, Bonnie Raitt, who opened her 2014 Grammy winner, Slipstream, with one of his songs. In the '70s he was a member of the seminal jazz/rock group Sea Level and as a sideman has toured with Gregg Allman, Widespread Panic and Levon Helm. Steve Winwood was such a fan of Bramblett’s keyboard, sax and vocal performances that he made Bramblett his go-to tour mate for 16 years, including the '94 Traffic reunion. He is currently the horn leader for Widespread Panic’s Megablaster Horns.

But it’s Bramblett’s own career as frontman where his artistry is in full display. His 10th release, the soul drenched Devil Music, pulls from a deep well. Bramblett says of this album. “It’s my experience of black and white culture in the south, and how it feels to grow up here with all the religion and pain and conflict and joy — and then there's all that dancing…” 

The new recording features guitarist Derek Trucks whose dirtied-up slide counterpoints Bramblett’s falsetto in “Angel Child,” and keyboardist and fellow Sea Level alum, Chuck Leavell, who adds serious boogie to the witty “Reptile Pilot.” The guitar master, Mark Knopfler adds significantly on “Dead in the Water”—a swampy gem which definitely belongs on the soundtrack to an HBO series.

Bonnie Raitt proclaims “You can’t do better than Randall Bramblett.”

“One of the South’s most lyrical and literate songwriters.”  Rolling Stone

“See this guy? He’s only one of the most original and profoundly satisfying artists around today. His name is Randall Bramblett.” Mike Greenblatt, Goldmine Magazine

 “Randall Bramblett is the William Faulkner of Southern Music.”  Hittin’ the Note Magazine

 “This is a cool album that combines the vibe of a real-as-hell vintage soulman with modern musical ideas.”  Jambands.com