I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blast Off!, from Duke Robillard and it's really swinging! Opening with Floyd Dixon's, When I Get Lucky, Chris Cote is up front on vocal with Duke Robillard on lead guitar, Bruce Bears on piano, Marty Ballou on bass, Mark Teixeira on drums and Doug James and Mark Earley on wailing sax. Strong opener. Robillard original, Feel My Cares has a deeper, BB King feel with stinging guitar work by Duke and again featuring Cote on lead vocal. Bears on organ adds a real nice warmth and James and Earley on sax really fatten the track up nicely. AM Brunner's Play Boy Hop is a terrific sax led instrumental with James really making it wail and Duke's guitar phrasing is dynamic and urgent. Very cool. Guitar Slim's Stand By Me really swings with Cote on lead vocal and Earley and James on horns. James takes command on bari sax really kicking up the dirt and Duke rips a classic solo of his own making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Percy Sledge's Warm and Tender Love (penned by Bobby Robinson) is a super showcase for Cote on vocal and features easy keys by Bears and compact but meaty solos by James, Earley and Robillard. Wrapping the release is Tampa Red's, Look A There Look A There with a great swing tempo. Wailing sax solos by Earley and James really capitalize on the bluesy feel and Cote's vocals, backed by Duke make this a strong closer.
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