ALBUM REVIEW: Randall Bramblett’s Latest Weaves a Musical Tapestry

Randall Bramblett is a dreamcatcher of sorts. He captures images from the airy vaults where they recline, waiting to be downloaded by sensitive souls like him. Of course, translating them into a musical format requires some shapeshifting, so he blends jazz, country, folk, gospel, rock, and soul.

Bramblett has shared his gifts, creating soulful tunes for Bettye LaVette; gospel tones for artists like the Blind Boys of Alabama; and slinky second-line-funky, jazz-flecked blues like Bonnie Raitt’s 2012 cover of  “Used to Rule the World,” from her Grammy-winning Slipstream album. All that is in addition to his sideman creds with a host of lofty music-makers, including Delbert McClinton, Rick Nelson, Gregg Allman, Levon Helm, Elvin Bishop, Gov’t Mule, and Widespread Panic.

On his own, Bramblett has spun out fourteen solo records showcasing his sax, keyboard, and vocal talents as well as his dreamcatcher-like lyrical genius.

For his latest, Paradise Breakdown, Bramblett once again pulls down a rich tapestry of images woven from an eclectic blend of styles and genres. The opener, “Fire Down in Our Souls,” has Bramblett channeling Neil Young’s vocal inflections. He surrounds them with funky guitars hooked to bow-wow boxes, with a churchy organist trying to break through the chatter. Bramblett gets more into the spirit as the tune progresses, sounding up like James Brown testifying from the pulpit about true love:

You can’t think the pain away
And I can’t find a thing to say
But I’ll be with you
Tell me your love is true
That’s all I want from you
And when the world goes cold
We got a fire down in our soul.

“Throw My Cane Away” pays homage to Dr. John, but not the way anybody else might approach a tribute to the Night Tripper. Bramblett reveals that the song is based on a real conversation a friend had with good Doctor after both were in recovery from their addictions. But Bramblett added a wicked twist, making the friend a ghost who overdosed.  “…Ain’t you glad we don’t live like that no more,” the Doctor tells his ghostly visitor. “…You know things are better without all that stuff/ I feel so good I’m gonna throw my cane away.” This comes over a soundtrack that sounds created by James Brown’s backing band in the early ’70s, the  J.B.’s, with Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker on horns, blasting out cool soul funk.

Images of Traffic flash across your retinas on “Come On,” which sounds like something he might have written for Stevie Winwood over the 16 years he spent with him.

Bramblett tackles taking life for granted on “Round and Round The Sun,” sounding  Neil Young-ish once again as he grinds along a freeway “trying to change a channel in my mind.”

Once again, Randall Bramblett has given us something to hang onto when everything else goes to hell. A glimmer of light to mark the way across while showing you what lies in wait below.

Randall Bramblett’s Paradise Breakdown releases Sep. 27 on Strolling Bones Records.