The Funk is all in the family

Marcus Randolph promised IU a hip-shaking show from his band, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, and as they began to play The Rolling Stone's "Shake Your Hips" Wednesday night that's just what they delivered. \n"This is IU, and we're about to have a good time. This is ladies time," lead guitarist and vocalist Robert Randolph said, as three dozen women of all ages moved from backstage to center stage to dance along with the music. Then, Robert Randolph showed the group how to really move as he jumped up on his chair to join in the hip shaking. \nIf that wasn't enough, two songs later, another audience member got an even more intimate experience with the band, taking over a guitar on stage. \nFrom the opening riffs of Robert Randolph's signature steel guitar, the band's report with the audience was undeniable. Attendance was low, barely reaching into the back of the orchestra section, but those there proved themselves true fans, moving to the beat and singing along with the words. \nMany of the words were well-known, even to those in the audience less familiar with Randolph's albums, as the band moved seamlessly from original songs to timeless covers. \nSenior Evan Anderson was excited about the covers; he said they helped to break up the show. \n"I like all the solos, too," he said.\nThese solos ranged from a guitar and falsetto guest performance by Robert's cousin to drum features by his other cousin Marcus. Jason Crosby also impressed the crowd, moving through the family of stringed instruments as he alternated between piano and violin. \nIndianapolis resident Craig Lippincott, who enjoyed his 10th concert with the band, was also enthused by the covers, particularly "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough" by Michael Jackson, an artist he had seen the band feature four times before. \nDespite the repeat attendance, he said the music stays fresh. \n"He still plays with the same upbeat tempo," he said. \nLippincott was glad the band didn't focus on the more pop-oriented songs from its recent album "Colorblind." While the band performed many of those singles, it stayed true to the instrumentally-intense sound for which the band has come to be known. \nA sample of music from George Clinton's band Parliament Funkadelic gave insight into the music that influenced Robert Randolph's style. The sound of funk that filled the Auditorium was reminiscent of the September performance of funk legend James Brown. While the crowd last night was not as large as the one to which Brown played, the music was just as energizing and the audience just as enthusiastic.