Nov. 3, 2023
Slade Rand
Ranford Almond releases his debut album ‘Old Soul’ today, brimming with guests wanting to be part of the special music coming from the young artist out of North Carolina.
‘Old Soul’ is available today on streaming services and on vinyl or CD from Ranford Almond here.
Ranford’s debut opens with his acoustic strumming over drums before Roosevelt Collier’s warm slide guitar moseys in on top. The first song, “Greener Side,” introduces Ranford’s eight-track reflection on life and his relationship to nature with a hopeful tune.
Ranford’s songwriting is unique for his age. The tune ‘Jack Stud Mule’ sounds like you might hear it spilling out of a saloon full of rambunctious poets letting off some steam. His lyrics pass along lessons learned through many lifetimes, who knows when.
“Old Soul” is full of featured guests lending a hand to Ranford’s comforting songwriting. The tunes happily welcome the fuller sound of the studio lineup – his lyrics blossom within these hearty arrangements. Vocal harmonies, extra pickers and added percussion join together to round out Ranford’s meaningful followup to 2020’s more stripped-down ‘Back Burner’ EP.
Ranford sings with palpable emotion, offering wisdom over acoustic and electric guitar melodies backed by a tight-knit bunch.
Greensboro local and longtime Mantras keyboardist Julian Sizemore, bassist John Ray, Bill Stevens on organ and Brevan Hampden on drums make up the house band for “Old Soul,” with guests cycling in and out of the 45-minute triumph.
Jeff Sipe plays drums on four tunes, Becca Stevens contributes vocals and Big Something’s Casey Cranford joins on sax for the grooving title track. “Old Soul” takes time to breathe midway through while a patient collaborative jam builds back to Ranford singing his heartfelt melody.
That title track brings together all of what makes the album special: community, connection with your world and hope for the future. Ranford uncovers another layer of his old soul with each song, showing he knows what he’s made of and where he’s headed.
Cranford and Ranford host the local “Cransgiving” gathering each year around the fall holiday. They’re gearing up for the fifth annual installment – be on the lookout for ticketing and more information.
Ranford Almond and his talented friends recorded the album at Ovation Sound with producer Bill Stevens.
On ‘Leaves,’ another guitar solo patiently emerges after Ranford’s verses about growing older with someone through the seasons. Ranford sings about “the prismatic cadence of autumn,” and it’s easy to picture yourself standing there on his back porch at the start of a central North Carolina fall.
Ranford’s personal lyrics let you into his intentional approach to life. He sings about finding happiness in not mulling over the past, and turns original phrases full of truth.
“Our memories spiraling down from the trees;
Well why don’t we just let em crumble right under our feet”
That track features Brevan’s brother Iajhi Hampden on drums, another lifelong artist with Carolina roots. The two say they first got behind the kit at ages nine and ten playing music with their mother at church in Durham.
Ranford Almond and his band will celebrate “Old Soul” with an album release show Nov. 10 at Flat Iron in Greensboro.
Ranford tours with the band and as a solo artist, with a mix of shows remaining this fall. Following the “Old Soul” release party, the band plays Bright Leaf Brew Fest on Nov. 11 in Danville, VA and then returns to North Carolina on Dec. 16 for a show at the Pour House in Raleigh.
He headlined the Flat Iron’s grand opening, and hopes to make more history there next week with with “Old Soul”’s release. Tickets are available here.
After Midnight 
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