Randazzo shows, tells on new album

Ed Randazzo, Weekender/Mountaingrown, Wed., Feb. 8, 10-11 p.m. at The Woodlands (1073 Route 315, Plains Twp.) or on 102.3 The Mountain. No cover, 21+ Info: edrandazzomusic.com

by Nikki M. Mascali
Weekender Editor

“It’s really based on the people who are in my life and around me,” Ed Randazzo replied without hesitation when asked where the inspiration came from for his forthcoming album “Show and Tell.” “Being in such a strong local-music scene, I was really inspired by everyone around me, so I thought how could I not make another record?”

To further his inspiration, Randazzo recruited friends like Nik Allen, A.J. Jump, Jeremy Hummel and his Saturation Acres producer Bret Alexander to guest on the album. His 2010 debut, “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean,” featured mostly traditional folk and blues covers. This time, Randazzo and Alexander penned all but one of “Show and Tell’s” 11 tracks over the course of the past two years.

“Before we knew it, we had a full collection that was worthy enough to be put all together,” Randazzo said. “There was no stress, there was no deadline. The hope is now that people will find something in there for themselves.”

Randazzo will perform much of “Show and Tell” at Weekender/Mountaingrown at The Woodlands in Plains Twp. or live on 102.3 The Mountain Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 10-11 p.m. The album will officially be released at Gallery of Sound Tuesday, Feb. 14.

“Show and Tell” is full of emotive tunes, such as “You Give Me,” “Who’s That Man?” and first single “Still Cry.” The latter two feature the powerful backing vocals of Alexis P. Suter, a 2012 Blues Music Award nominee for Best Soul Blues Female Artist.

“She was originally slated for ‘Who’s That Man?,’ and I was so moved by her, she really felt the pain of the song,” recalled Randazzo, who asked her to appear on the other song while she was in the studio.

Suter’s inclusion on the album happened serendipitously through Randazzo’s friend, photographer Jim Gavenus, who has done a lot of work in the Deep South.

“When we were writing the album and ‘Who’s That Man?’ had come along, the sound didn’t feel finished — I needed a strong woman who’d been through some shit,” Randazzo explained. “Being that (Jim’s) in connection with a lot of musicians from the South, I asked for him to put me in contact with some singers.”

Gavenus suggested three, and Suter was the first Randazzo heard.

“After hearing Alexis, I didn’t need to hear the other two,” he said.

The cover’s stirring photo also came courtesy of Gavenus, who took it on Christmas Eve 2010 in Alabama. After seeing the image when Gavenus returned to NEPA, Randazzo remained haunted by its little girl. When the two friends met up in September to take photos for the album, nothing taken jumped out to them, so Randazzo was left without a cover image.

“Honest to God, I woke up out of a sound sleep and thought, ‘Oh my God, that little girl from Jim’s photo! I have to have that picture,’” Randazzo said. “I felt like her image, Jim’s image, elevated the music more than my face ever could. It’s not really about me — my name’s on the front, of course — it’s about the music.”

Alexander’s daughter Harlow did the inside artwork, which helped further illustrate Randazzo’s title.

“I wanted to use the phrase ‘show and tell’ several ways,” he began, “not just about the (title track), but have these images to go with the song to be the ‘show,’ and the story would be the ‘tell.’”

Randazzo finds it hard to believe he’s about to release his second album.

“This, in a lot of ways, feels like the first one because it’s definitely more who I am — this feels like this is really who Ed is.”

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