Feature

A few issues back, I introduced some of you to Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers, Gov’t Mule, Aquarium Rescue Unit) and his band the Peacemakers when they rocked out the Soul Kitchen and earned quite a few local fans. Oteil and the Peacemakers are making a return to the Soul Kitchen Saturday, Jan. 13, and this time around he’s bringing the big guns including his partner in crime from ARU and newly appointed Widespread Panic guitarist Jimmy Herring.

If this wasn’t enough, opening for the Peacemakers will be the disciples of Sacred Steel, The Lee Boys. The Peacemakers and the Lee Boys are taking the audience deep into the Church of Jam for a night of unforgettable music including new cuts off of the Peacemakers latest release “Believe.” I recently had the chance to chat with Burbridge about the new album as well as the past and the future of the Peacemakers.

SC: You’ve been with the ranks of Allman Brothers Band, Gov’t Mule and Aquarium Rescue Unit. How did Oteil and the Peacemakers come into existence?

OB: You know, I had some tunes laying around that had never been recorded. I initially did it just to get the tunes down on tape. Then, we decided to do some live tapes and stuff, and it just took off from there.

SC: How does it feel to be fronting your own band?

OB: Well, it’s really not much different than when I was with the ARU. It’s a group effort. I don’t really want to be a frontman, and everyone else be the sidemen.

SC: Speaking of group effort, you’ve always had some pretty impressive talent working with you in the Peacemakers, including longtime friend and newcomer to Widespread Panic Jimmy Herring. What’s it like working with him in that capacity?

OB: It’s very familiar. I’ve worked with Jimmy for the past 17 years. It’s a really familiar feeling, you know. It’s a little bit different having him in the Peacemakers, but he still has that sound. It’s nice; he has such a good vibe hanging around with him.

SC: Who’s waiting in the wings to take his place once he goes on tour with Widespread?

OB: Nobody. I mean, I have a guitar player already. He’s just sitting in for a couple of shows. We’ll still have two guitar players.

SC: Let’s talk about your new album “Believe.” It has quite a spiritual overtone to it. What inspired you to create this album? What went into making it?

OB: Really, it was just necessity. You know, over the progression of time, we’ve needed to have a new album out for a few years. I don’t like to rush them, though. I rather them be good than flip one out in a year for the sake of doing one a year. We had some new stuff that we’ve been playing on the road; I wanted to play it for a little while and let it mutate before we recorded it. A lot of times, I’ll record stuff, and six months or a year later, it sounds six times better.

SC: How does the spiritual side of this album translate into the live performance?

OB: It is what it is, like when you go see a gospel show or a punk rock show. I don’t try to translate it in any way. I just do the music. It’s got a lot of different elements to it, and we just do it. I don’t really think about it. I don’t think that the Blind Boys of Alabama think about how their music is going to translate. They just go out and do their music.

SC: Your opener for the Mobile show is the Lee Boys, and I’ve heard great things about them. How did you hook up with them?

OB: I’ve been hip to the Sacred Steel scene for quite a few years. I met them through the guy who owns our record label and our booking agent. He’s the one who told me about them. I had seen them before on video, but I hadn’t hung out with them or seen them live or played with them live. It’s going to be unbelievable. It’s going to be a very good night of music.

SC: “Sacred Steel” is becoming quite a buzzword in the jam scene. How would you define this style?

OB: It’s just what it is, especially with the Lee Boys and the Campbell Brothers. What you see live with them is exactly what you see in church in their denomination. It’s gospel, soul, R&B and funk all mixed together. It’s like a full body experience. It’s not just an aural experience for just listening. It really gets in your blood.

SC: I’ve been reading reviews of your shows, and I’ve heard that the different members of the Peacemakers really have a good time with the Lee Boys on stage. What’s it like jamming with them?

OB: You know, people always ask me to describe what it’s like playing with someone, and it’s really impossible other than to say it’s great and it’s fun. It’s like trying to describe the taste of chicken to an alien. They’re such nice guys, and the music is so great. It’s just a pleasure.

SC: I like to call people like you a musical chameleon with all the different bands you’ve been with. Are you going to stick with the Peacemakers, or is there another project in the works?

OB: No, that’s my thing. I’ll be doing that for the rest of my life.

Stephen Centanni is Lagniappe music editor. Contact him at scentanni@lagniappemobile.com.

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