Randall Bramblett
| Randall Bramblett | |
|---|---|
 Randall Bramblett on keyboards at The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ, on September 14, 2013. | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 1948 |
| Origin | Jesup, Georgia, United States |
| Genres | Folk, pop/rock, acoustic, adult alternative |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Singing, keyboards, saxophone |
| Website |
randallbramblett |
Randall Bramblett (born 1948) is an American musician and singer-songwriter, whose career as a solo artist, session player, and touring musician, has spanned more than three decades. He has worked with Gregg Allman, Bonnie Raitt, Goose Creek Symphony, Robbie Robertson, Elvin Bishop, Steve Winwood, Bonnie Bramlett, B.J. Thomas, Widespread Panic, and Roger Glover.[1] He plays keyboards, saxophones, guitar, mandolin, and harmonica, and his songwriting is influenced by blues, folk, and gospel music.
Life and career
Born in Jesup, Georgia, Bramblett studied religion and psychology at the University of North Carolina, with the objective of entering the seminary. However, finding inspiration in the music of James Taylor, Carole King, and Bob Dylan, he abandoned his theological studies and pursued songwriting, soon moving to Athens, Georgia.
After establishing himself as a session musician in the early 1970s, recording with artists like Gregg Allman and Elvin Bishop, Bramblett toured with bands such as the Gregg Allman Band, Sea Level, Widespread Panic, and Traffic.[1][2] Bramblett, along with Chuck Leavell, has been credited with giving Sea Level, described as "a jazz-influenced spinoff from the Allman Brothers Band," a new, unique direction.[3] Bramblett has been described as an outstanding lyricist and vocalist. The songs he wrote during his time with Sea Level have been described as "philosophical, despairing soul and funk tunes and rockers."[3]
Bramblett recorded two albums in the 1970s, and a CD in 1998. Bramblett's fourth album, No More Mr. Lucky, was released in 2001. On the album Bramblett plays Hammond B-3 and saxes. Tracks on the album has been described as rich, funky, hip, and raw.[2]
In 2015, Bramblett released Devil Music. The title track was inspired by the story of Howlin' Wolf trying to reunite with his estranged mother who abandoned him for "playing the devil's music."[4]
Discography
Randall Bramblett/The Randall Bramblett Band
| Album title | Release date | Label | Format(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| That Other Mile | 1975 | Polydor | LP |
| Light Of The Night | 1976 | Polydor | LP |
| Live at the i&i | 1982 | Catmando Productions | LP |
| Visionary School | 1997 | Compact cassette | |
| See Through Me | 1998 | Capricorn | CD |
| No More Mr. Lucky | 2001 | New West | CD, digital download |
| Thin Places | 2004 | New West | CD, digital download |
| Rich Someday | 2006 | New West | CD, digital download |
| Now It's Tomorrow | 2008 | New West | CD, digital download |
| The Meantime | 2010 | Blue Ceiling | CD, digital download |
| Randall Bramblett & Geoff Achison Jammin' In The Attic |
2010 | Hittin' The Note Records | CD, digital download |
| The Bright Spots | 2013 | 101 Distribution ADA | CD, digital download |
| Devil Music | 2015 | New West | CD, vinyl, digital download |
Guest appearances
| Artist | Album | Year | Label | Performances | Other contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allman and Woman | Two The Hard Way | 1977 | Capricorn | sax | |
| The Allman Brothers Band | All Live | 1998 | Polygram International | sax | |
| Gregg Allman | Laid Back | 1973 | Capricorn | sax | |
| The Gregg Allman Tour | 1974 | Polygram | organ, horn, sax | horn arrangements | |
| Atlanta Rhythm Section | Back Up Against The Wall | 1973 | Decca | piano | |
| Elvin Bishop | Let It Flow | 1974 | Capricorn | sax | |
| Sure Feels Good: The Best of Elvin Bishop | 1992 | Polydor | sax | ||
| Bonnie Bramlett | It's Time | 1975 | Capricorn | sax | |
| Lady's Choice | 1976 | Capricorn | sax | ||
| Beautiful | 2008 | Rockin' Camel | sax, keys, vocals | ||
| Cowboy | Boyer and Talton | 1973 | Capricorn | sax, vocals | |
| Cowboy | 1977 | Capricorn | sax, vocals | ||
| A Different Time: The Best of Cowboy | 1993 | Polydor | sax | ||
| Deep Purple and Friends | Purple and Other Colors | 2003 | Snapper Music | vocals | |
| Doubting Thomas | Who Died and Made You King? | 1998 | Oh Very | sax | |
| Enlightenment Road Band | Songs From the Road to Enlightenment | 2001 | Five Feathers | piano, organ, sax, vocals | |
| Filet of Soul | Incommunicado | 1998 | Shank | sax | |
| Rick Fowler | Back On My Good Foot | 2008 | Jammates | organ | |
| Roger Glover | Snapshot | 2002 | Red Ink | piano, keys, organ, sax, vocals | |
| Gov't Mule | Live...With a Little Help from Our Friends | 1999 | Volcano 3 | soprano, tenor sax | |
| The Deep End, vol. 1 | 2001 | ATO | organ | ||
| John Hammond, Jr. | Can't Beat The Kid | 1975 | Capricorn | piano, keys | |
| Hydra | Hydra | 1974 | Capricorn | sax | |
| Johnny Jenkins | Blessed Blues | 1996 | Capricorn | organ, sax | |
| Handle With Care | 2001 | Orchard | keys | ||
| All In Good Time | 2005 | Mean Old World | organ, keys, sax, vocals | ||
| Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons | Conscious Contact | 2001 | Terminus | organ, keys, Wurlitzer, vocals | |
| Jan Krist | Curious | 1996 | Silent Planet | piano, keys, sax | |
| Chuck Leavell | Southscape | 2005 | Megaforce | recorder, sax | |
| Lingo | Through The Scattered Trees | 2008 | organ, sax | ||
| Francine Reed | Can't Make It On My Own | 1996 | Ichiban | sax | |
| Robbie Robertson | Carny (soundtrack) | 1980 | Warner Bros. | sax | |
| B. J. Thomas | Longhorns & Londonbridges | 1974 | Paramount | piano, keys, vocals | several Randall Bramblett compositions on album |
| Traffic | Traffic Live (DVD) | 1994 | Rhino | woodwinds, keys | |
| The Last Great Traffic Jam | 2005 | Legacy | woodwinds, keys | ||
| various artists | Woodstock '94 (DVD) | 1994 | A&M | woodwinds, keys | |
| Vigilantes of Love | Live at the 40 Watt | 1998 | Paste | Hammond synth | |
| Summershine | 2001 | Compass | organ, piano, keys, mellotron, Chamberlain | ||
| Widespread Panic | Live in the Classic City | 2002 | Sanctuary | Sax | |
| Jackassolantern | 2004 | Sanctuary | Sax | ||
| Live From the Backyard | 2003 | Sanctuary | Alto and Soprano Sax, Guitar | ||
| Steve Winwood | Refugees of the Heart | 1990 | Virgin | Alto and Soprano Sax | |
| Sea Level | Cats on the Coast | 1977 | Capricorn | Organ, Alto and Soprano Sax, Vocals, Percussion | |
| Sea Level | On the Edge | 1978 | Capricorn | Alto and Soprano Sax, Vocals, Electric Piano | |
| Sea Level | Long Walk on a Short Pier | 1979 | Capricorn | Alto and Soprano Sax, Vocals, Keyboards | |
| Sea Level | Ball Room | 1980 | BMG | Alto and Soprano Sax, Vocals, Keyboards | |
| Sea Level | Best of Sea Level | 1990 | Island/Mercury | Alto and Soprano Sax, Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion | |
References
- 1 2 Himes, Geoffrey (28 May 2004). "Thin P ...:". The Washington Post Washington, D.C. pp. WW. 15.
- 1 2 Cristiano, Nick (1 February 2002). "Deep style and substance". Orlando Sentinel Orlando, FL. p. 12.
- 1 2 Palmer, Robert (26 September 1980). "Sea Level at Bottom Line (Review)". New York Times, Late Edition (East Coast) New York, NY. pp. C.21.
- ↑ from an interview on Americana Music Show #267, published October 6, 2015.