Statistiques
Biographie
Having been a band since 1990, the band is made up of Michael Glabicki (vocals and guitar), Colter Harper (guitar), Dirk Miller (guitar), Patrick Norman (bass, percussion), Liz Berlin (percussion, vocals) and Jason Miller (drums, percussion). Each member of the band partakes in the African drums and thus lends to the band’s strong percussive sound.
They released their debut album entitled “Cruel Sun” through Blue Duck record label. The album featured the song “Send Me on My Way” but was just a rough version of the song. It was later released in 1994 on their second album “When I Woke”. The writing of the song was a collaborative effort between the whole band, with each member bringing their influences to the table. In an interview with Songfacts, Glabicki recalled arriving at the band’s studio, a converted warehouse with big windows on a sunny day, picking up the guitar and writing the song throughout a very, very happy feeling. There was unsurprisingly a lot of happiness in the room. He claimed that Toni Childs was an influence on the song.
The song uses nonsense phrases such as “oombayseeyou” and “seemoobedeeyah”, because they just sounded right to the band. In this song there is an impressive penny whistle solo played by Rusted Root’s own John Buynak.
Despite some mixed reviews, where in a review for Cruel Sun, Kurt Keefner said that “The African vocal riff from “Send Me on My Way” is bad Ladysmith Black Mambazo”, though Chris Baker of Syracuse.com said “The song’s pep and light heartedness is undoubtedly responsible for it’s success. Unlike the fervor found in songs like “Ecstasy” or “Lost in a Crowd”, “Send Me on My Way” is unbridled optimism – perfect for a children’s movie”.
It indeed went on to feature in a child’s movie in the 1996 movie adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda and the first Blue Sky Studio’s movie, Ice Age.
Avis
Rusted Root offer a unique fusion of acoustic, rock and various modes of world music. Their distinctive sound features heavy percussion with Native and Latin American influences. Rusted Root have released seven studio albums, the latest being their 2012 work, ‘The Movement.’ However, the band’s most famous song remains ‘Send Me on My Way,’ which featured on the soundtrack to the 1996 film, ‘Matilda,’
The group tour tirelessly around the US and over the years Rusted Root have picked up a cult following, so expect a well-versed band of dedicated fans at any gig you attend. The band performs songs from across their twenty-five year repertoire. Rusted Root always deliver an experimental fusion.
Of course, as soon as the audience hears the familiar plucky guitar intro to ‘Send Me on My Way’ the room erupts into joyful dancing. Hundreds of voices are guaranteed to join the refrain, ‘I would like to hold my little hand.’ Rusted Root’s gigs flit continuously between fast and slow tempo. The slower soulful ‘Beautiful People’ with its soft flute accompaniment and plodding bongos causes the audience to sway steadily in hushed unison.
A particular highlight of any Rusted Root set is their unique take on the Rolling Stone’s ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want.’ The band lends this classic track their typical tribal feel, placing heavy emphasis on bongo-led percussion and Michael Glabiki’s enchantingly warm vocals.
I’d encourage you to join Rusted Root’s cult following for an evening. You never know, you might become one of them.
Rusted Root have always had something of a cult-like appeal to the masses as despite not achieving commercial success, albums such as 'When I Woke Up' and 'Remember' are still considered to be innovate for their time. It was the way in which the band manipulated the genre of rock and changed it in relation to influences such as Latin and World.
A lyrical content that relied heavily on religion also gained them attention and drew the masses to their shows. Often described as a band of skill and passion, they really do throw themselves into the live show and each musician is aware of everybody else onstage. Therefore they harmonise the sounds really well and create instrumental bliss on the likes of 'Lost in a Crowd' and 'Martyr'. They still play a good amount from 'When I Woke Up' much to the delight of the crowds as they sing back the choruses as one to developed versions of the recorded music. The final rendition of 'Ecstasy' cements Rusted Root's reputation as a cult rock band.
This was the second time I've seen Rusted Root and it will not be the last! They always bring an amazing energy and you can't help but get completely absorbed into their music.