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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, True Blues Brother- The Legacy of Matt "Guitar Murphy" by Matt Guitar Murphy and it's a great assemblage of music that Matt was working on at the time of his death in 2018 featuring music by artists he either played with or influenced along with some special guests. Opening with Matt's Boogie, Murphy leads the way on this instrumental with a super guitar rhythm /solo lead and joined by Bruce Bears on organ, Ricky "King" Russell on guitar, Bob Worthington on bass and Fran Christina on drums. Solid opener. Deadric Malone's I Feel Alright Again is a super shuffle featuring Brian Templeton on vocal, Nick Adams on guitar, Collin Tilton on tenor sax, Johnny Juxo on keys, Dean Cassell on bass and Christina on drums. Christine Ohlman really belts out the lead on Something's Got a Hold On Me, and Etta James favorite, with Cliff Goodwin and Russell on guitar, Worthington on bass and Christina on drums. Phil Diiorio is upfront on vocal on Willie Dixon's I Can't Quit You Baby and James Montgomery on harmonica adds really nice balance. Troy Mercy takes a different approach on his bluesy guitar solo that adds nicely to the track. Disc 2 opens with Matt's Shuffle and Murphy strolling on guitar. A cool organ solo by Bruce Bears leads to a real nice laid back solo by Murphy. Willie Dixon's, Evil, is a real nice contribution with Craig Rawding on lead vocal and some stellar guitar work by Bob Margolin, Jerry Portnoy on harmonica, Chuck Leavell on piano and Christina on drums. Memphis Slim's Lonesome, has a great feel with Christina on vocal and drums, Duke Robillard laying down some hot riffs, Greg Piccolo on sax, Al Copley on piano and Marty Ballou on bass. Joe Beard is upfront on vocal and guitar on Muddy's Let Me Hang Around with Chris Beard on guitar, Billy Boy Arnold on harmonica, bass and Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith on drums. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Beard on guitar and vocal and Arnold on harmonica on You Wasn't Doin' Too Bad, a really stripped down, delta style blues. This is an excellent closer for a solid release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Six Strings of Steel by Duke Robillard an it's terrific. Opening with Barney Kessel's Git With It!, Duke Robillard hits the ground running. This is a great tune and Robillard knows how to sell it. Joined by Marty Ballou on bass, Mark Teiseira on drums and with an outstanding solo by Doug James on sax, this is an excellent opener. On, Shame, Shame, Shame, Robillard really gets things rockin. Chris Cote does a great job on vocal and another outstanding solo by James and of course strong guitar work by Duke. Chuck Willis' Love Struck is deep in soul and Cote does an excellent job. Warm organ work by Bruce Bears paves the way for exceptional guitar phrasing by Robillard making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Leo Parker's Billy In The Lion's Den is an excellent showcase for James and he really does shine. Robillard springboards from the deep throaty work of James with his own light fingered attack, then trading solid riffs making this another exceptional track on the release. Lowell Fulson's Lovin' You fits nicely into this set with it's R&B feel and with James and Bears holding the line for Cote on vocal and nicely stylized guitar lead by Robillard, a strong addition to the set. Wrapping the release is Link Wray's Rumble. Nothing has the grit of Wray's classic, and that reverb saturation is so time perfect. Robillard really works it making it a perfect closer for one of his best releases in years.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, B's Time, by Al Basile and it's a cool retrospective of Basile's 25 years with Sweetspot Records using up to date technology on the remastering. Opening with You Showed Me Something, from 2009 release, Soul Blue, Basile on cornet and lead vocals is joined by Mark Teixeira on drums, Bruce Katz on keys, Marty Ballou on bass, Doug James on sax, and Carl Querfurth on trombone, that walking bass line really sets up for great solos by Basile, Katz and James. Great opener. Two stepper, Drive Me Darling from the 2001 release Shaking The Soul Tree had a cool psychedelic rock vibe with solid vocals by Basile. Jeff McAllister on drums, Tom West on keys, John Packer on bass and some wild guitar work By Duke Robillard really makes this track a standout. Light jazz track, B.D. from the 2003 release Red Breath is chilled and relaxed giving Basille a lot of room to breathe on cornet and sets up with real nice lead work by Paul Odeh on keys, backed by Marty Richards on drums, and Marty Ballou on on bass. Very nice. A splash of reggae on Causing Joy from the 2009's Soul Blue features Basile on some real nice vocal, Doug James on sax, Ballou on bass, Katz on Katz on keys, Teixeira on drums really lays in the slot. Wrapping the release is driving rocker, 1.843 Million from 2010 release The Goods, with a tight drum set from Teixeira, and really heavy bass work by Brad Hallen. Basile's cornet sings and Robillard laying in some vital riffs makes this track an excellent closer.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, They Called It Rhythm & Blues, by The Duke Robillard Band, and it's another stellar performance by the Duke and his crew. Opening with swing blues, Here I'm Is, Chris Cote on lead vocal really does a nice job with excellent fluid guitar lead by Robillard, and solid backing by Bruce Bears on keys, Marty Ballou on bass, Mark Teixeira on drums and Doug James on sax. Fools Are Getting Scarcer, James really does a great job stepping out on bari and tenor sax solos over a hot R&B feel. Excellent! Kim Wilson takes the lead on Tell Me Why with his trademark vocals and solid harmonica work. Robillard's guitar lead is impeccable and the band is solid. John Hammond is up front on Homeless Blues with his delta based vocal and playing style. I really like Hammond and am glad to see him on this release. With distinctive drum work by Teixeira and piano by Bears, this track is one of my favorites. Freddy King's Someday After Awhile, is a real showcase for both Cote and Robillard with exceptional vocal lead and plenty of room for Duke to stretch. Very nice. Kim Wilson does a rework on Guitar Slim's Things I Used To Do, The Things I Forgot To Do, and Wilson works it nicely. Duke's guitar soloing really captures the styling of Slim and the piano work of Bears is spot on, with reinforcement by James and Mark Earley on sax. Very cool. Wrapping the release is hot instrumental jam, Swingin' For Four Bills, featuring really nice front work by Duke, Sue Foley and Mike Flanigin. This is a super track and great closer for Robillard on this newest release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues Bash, by Duke Robillard & Friends and it may be his best recent release. Opening with Do You Mean It, Chris Cote is up front on lead vocal with Robillard on guitar, Bruce Bears on piano and Hammond, Mark Teixeira on drums and Jesse Williams on bass. With it's up tempo shuffle feel and super lead work by Robillard, super opener. Piano boogie, What Can I Do showcases strong piano by Bears and super sax by Greg Piccolo, Rich Lataille and Doug James and again. With Cote on lead vocal again and some really hot guitar riffs by Robillard, this track spins. With it's bluesy lope, Rock Alley is a great track to show Robillard at his best. His guitar phrasing is terrific and his feel is soulful. A bluesy sax solo by Lataille really adds great spice on this track. Very nice. Michelle Willson steps up on lead vocal on swing track, You Played On My Piano giving it a great feel and a rich, fat, sax solo by James really kicks this track up another notch. On I Ain't Gonna Do It, Mark Braun really sets the pace on piano with Marty Richards on drums, Marty Ballou on bass, Al Basile on cornet and Sax Gordon on sax. Hot track. Robillard handles lead guitar and vocal on Give Me All The Love You Got with it's sturdy blues feel and fat sax bottom. Robillard dances stylistically on the fretboard showing that fluid finger work that he's well known for. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Just Chillin', a cool, instrumental blues jam with a relaxed feel. Piccolo lays in a really nice sax solo, followed by nicely phrased guitar soloing by Robillard. A Hammond solo by Bears adds real texture to the track making this a strong closer for a solid release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Too Much Mustard, from Wentus Blues Bandwith Duke Robillard, and I really like it. Opening with revival style track, Stayed At The Party, these guys are raising the roof. With Robban Hagnas on Bass, Niko Riippa on guitar, Duke Robillard on guitar, Pekka Grohn on piano and Hammond, Daniel Hjerppe on drums and Juho Kinaret on vocal and percussion this track is pumped. Robert Johnson's Judgement Day is up next with a cool modern twist. It maintains the rudimentary feel and Kinaret's vocals are strong, but the interwoven guitars by Robillard and Riippa and Grohn's piano, with harp over the band is terrific. One of my favorite tracks on the release is She's a Killer Hot Blonde, a great boogie with cocky blues guitar style. Excellent! Slower paced, Right In Your Arms, is a super blues ballad and a nice showcase for Kinaret on vocal and with excellent blues guitar solo phrasing by Riippa. High powered boogie and title track, Too Much Mustard, had a great feel and is super platform for Robillard and Riippa on guitar. Shuffle track, You Got My Love, has a great bottom by Hagnas and the rolling piano lines by Grohn give Riippa plenty of room to shine. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, Passionate Kiss with a more radio direct approach. I really like the drum work by Hjerppe on this track strongly featured with a cool piano lead by Grohn under Kinaret's vocal lead. Solid closer.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, B's Hot House, from Al Basile and it's a great mix of blues, R&B and soul. Opening with So Called Story Teller, a lumbering "Thrill Is Gone" like track with Basile on lead vocal and cornet, and featuring Duke Robillard with some mighty tasty guitar riffs. Backed by Mark Teixeira on drums, Brad Hallen on bass, Bruce Bears on keys, Doug James on sax and Doc Cannonhouse, this is a super opener. Shuffle track, Razor Wire has a great stride with Bears' "Booker T like" organ vibe and Robillard's riffs lead nicely into a cool cornet solo by Basile. Very nice. R&B track, Give Me That Look is one of my favorites with it's easy groove and sax/trumpet accent. Basile's vocals on this track are my favorite on the release as well with solid piano work giving it that polish. Another of my favorites on the release is What Dogs Wanna Do, with Robillard dialing his guitar into warm round sound over a Latin rhythm. Horn chorus behind the lead guitar sounds almost vocal like giving the track an almost gospel feel. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Time Has Made A Fool Of Me, a bass reinforced shuffle with muted horns on the return. Basile's vocals guide the track and a loose, jazz style trumpet gives the track a cool feel. This is a solid release by Basile and another cool release outside of the guitar mainstream.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Man of Many Blues, from Paul Gabriel and it's got style. Opening with Latin flavored, I Feel Good, Paul Gabriel is front and center on lead guitar and vocal with Frank Davis on bass, Lonnie Gasperini on Hammond, Mark Earley on tenor and bari sax, Doug James on bari sax and Mark Teixeira on drums. On shuffle, Maybe We Can Talk A While, Duke Robillard lays in some real nice guitar lead giving the track just a little more smooth polish. Blues For Georgia is a real cool track with a jazzy edge. Gabriel's guitar lead is really nice, paired with Gasperini's Hammond organ work and the mighty Bruce Bears on piano. Very nice. My favorite track on the release is Just A Bitterness with it's soulful structure and slow bluesy pace. Gabriel's vocal strengths and really showcased on this one and addition of Robillard on guitar gives stinging guitar results. With rich sax work by Earley, this track just hits the nail on the head. Very nice. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, Dear John Letter. With it's blended lead vocal chorus and Christine Ohlman and it's overall radio styling, it makes for a solid closer and the most likely radio track. Cool closer for a cool release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Ear Worms, from Duke Robillard Band it's quite good. Opening with rock n' roller, Don't Bother Trying To Steal Her Love, Dave Howard is up front on vocal with Bruce Bears on piano, Mark Teuxeira on drums and Marty Ballou on bass. Robillard shows his stuff with do real nice low octave tones and country twanging riffs. Chris Cote has lead vocal on Living With The Animals, a smooth bluesy ballad with stinging guitar riffs by Robillard. Beautiful phrasing and tone give this track an extra boost. Traditional pop tune, Careless Love gets some spice with an up bound swing beat and done totally instrumental with solid lead by Robillard and cool Hammond work by Bears. Very nice. Klem Kilmen is on lead vocal on Chuck Berry's Dear Dad, a fiery rocker with slick bluesy bends and tight riffs by Robillard and a cool piano solo by Bears. Allen Toussaint's funky, Yes We Can has some real nice edgy telecaster riffs, wah wah, almost sounding like the late great Roy Buchanan. This may be my favorite track on the release with just a low key bottom rumble and Bears on vocal. Very nice. Teixeira leads the way on the Neville Brothers' Yellow Moon. With it's swaying New Orleans sound, reverby guitar tones and boppy organ, this is another top track. Wrapping the release is classic R&B hit, You Belong To Me with nicely stylized, clean, round lead on guitar rather than vocal. Resting nicely in the warmth of Bears' organ work, and with a rich solo of his own, this is a solid closer for a real nice release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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Ear Worms,the New Album from Award-Winning Guitarist Duke Robillard
WATERDOWN, ON – Stony Plain Records announces a May 17
release date for Ear Worms, the new album from two-time Grammy
nominee and multi-Blues Music Award winning guitarist Duke Robillard, which
will be available in both CD and vinyl formats.
Here’s a link to pre-order the album, which also includes
a special advance listen to “Don’t Bother to Steal Her Love:” http://smarturl.it/earworms.
“Ear
Worms was conceived as an album of songs that I heard and was attracted
to growing up,” says Duke Robillard about the new disc’s genesis. “They are not
of one particular genre or style, but rather songs I heard in my pre-teens to
my later teens, with the exception of a few songs which I threw into the mix to
round out the overall album vibe; sounds that stuck in my head, in many cases
before I knew what the blues was. I guess you could call them ‘ear worms.’ It
can be a song you can’t get out of your head because you love it so much, or it
can also be a mundane piece of drivel that haunts you like a bad dream.
Hopefully, if these songs become ear worms for you, they will be good ones!”
Produced by Robillard and recorded
at Lakewest Recording and Duke’s Mood Room, Ear Worms features
Duke (guitars, vocal) and his long-time band: Bruce Bears (piano, Hammond
organ); Brad Hallen (acoustic and electric bass); and Mark Teixeira (drums).
Both Bears and Teixeira also sing lead vocal on one track each. Joining them on
the sessions, besides some stellar additional musicians are several special
guest vocalists: Chris Cote, Sunny Crownover, Mark Cutler, Julie Grant, Dave
Howard and Klem Klimek.
The track listing for Ear
Worms features a Duke-penned original, the rollicking “Don’t Bother
Trying to Steal Her Love,” that kicks off the album in grand style, followed by
a dozen songs – some well-known, others not so much - including “Living
with the Animals,” “I Am a Lonesome Hobo,” “Sweet Nothin’s,” “Dear Dad,”
“Yellow Moon,” and “Yes We Can.” The repertoire demonstrates the breadth of
Robillard’s skill and knowledge of so many styles of
music.
Duke
Robillard tells a particularly interesting story about one of the tracks on the
new album. “‘Everyday I Have to Cry Some’ is a song
written by Arthur Alexander that was additionally recorded by Steve Alaimo and
Dusty Springfield,” he says. “There was another great young pop singer creating
hits in England in the ‘60s named Julie Grant who also recorded it. She had
many wonderful and successful records at a very young age. It so happens that
for quite a few years Julie worked as a booking agent for one of the nearby casinos
in Connecticut. One day we were talking, and she revealed that she was a
British pop singer, so I googled her and was blown away by what a great singer
she was, with a long list of hit records! So, this wonderful British lady that
I had known for several years was a star and a fabulous vocalist! ‘Everyday I
Have to Cry Some’ was a song I always loved and Julie’s version of it is my
favorite. I took a chance and asked her if she would record it for this album.
We recorded a few takes and spent the rest of the afternoon sipping wine and
listening to stories of her teenage years in London: double dates with Paul
McCartney and Jane Asher; stories about the Rolling Stones opening a tour for
her; and so many other memories. I had wanted to put Julie and Sunny Crownover
together for this and it worked out wonderfully. It was a ball to make the
guitar arrangement for this song. We really worked at capturing the ‘60s vibe
of Julie’s record while making it ours at the same time. I do hope everyone
enjoys the ‘60s ‘wall of sound’ vibe here.”
Robillard cites several reasons for the inclusion of certain songs on the new
album. “First of all, a large part of my musical make-up is from the production
side,” he volunteers. “Since I was as young as 10 years old, the sounds on
recordings always captured my imagination. ‘Why did they fade out at the time
they did? How did they get that sound? Why does the reverb come up as the song
fades out?’ Production was a mystical thing to me. Even though I had no idea
what producers and engineers did, my ear was tuned in to a recording’s sound
and the way the music and sound made me feel.
“When I was a
young boy at the age of 10 to 12, my brother’s collection of the latest rock
and roll singles of Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Elvis, Buddy
Holly, Bill Haley, etc. were my strongest influence, along with Hank Williams.
“We are talking about the late ‘50s/early‘60s, and AM radio was still the way
you heard music on the airwaves. I find it amazing what was played on the air
in those days. I remember hearing Slim Harpo’s ‘Scratch My Back’ on AM radio in
Rhode Island. I can still recall where I was, who I was with, and how that
sound just went through me like a bolt of lightning! I am a believer that all
music that you hear affects you in some way, so by about 1970 I started
steering away from pop/rock music for a long period, preferring not to be
influenced by anything but the blues and jazz from the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s.
That part of my life created the purist part of me.”
Peppered in with all the
vocal-track songs are several instrumentals, showcasing Duke’s unique takes on
“Careless Love,” “Soldier of Love,” “Rawhide” and “You Belong to Me,” with
“Rawhide” having a special affection from Robillard. “‘Rawhide’ is my tribute
to one of my heroes, Mr. Link Wray! Just pure unadulterated Rock and Roll here
friends; nothing more, nothing less. I played this song in many early bands and
even in Roomful of Blues on a few occasions. It never fails to rock!”
Since starting his musical career in 1967 by founding and
fronting Roomful of Blues, Duke Robillard has been at the forefront of Blues,
Swing and classic R&B/Jump blues for over 40 years, earning him his
legendary status while influencing and inspiring countless legions of musicians
and fans worldwide. Leading his own group, Duke has toured non-stop for the
past 30-some years, recording more than 30 critically acclaimed CDs under his
own name. He has toured as a guitarist with Tom Waits and the Fabulous
Thunderbirds and recorded with the likes of Bob Dylan, Ruth Brown, Jay McShann,
Pinetop Perkins, Kim Wilson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Rosco Gordon, Maria Muldaur and
many more.
“Robillard is a soloist of stunning force and originality” –
The New York Times
“Most everything Duke Robillard has done as a guitarist
during the past four-plus decades bears witness to his musical intelligence and
his dedication to his craft.” - DownBeat
Duke Robillard Tour Dates
3/22
The Funky
Biscuit
Boca Raton, FL
3/23
Center for the
Arts
Bonita Springs, FL
4/4
Zeiterion Performing Arts
Center
New Bedford, MA
4/11
The
Iridium
New York, NY
4/12
Zlock Performing Arts
Center
Newtown, PA
4/26
Iron Horse Music
Hall
Northampton, MA
4/27
German American Cultural
Society
Pawtucket, RI
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Inspired By The Blues, by Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne and it swings. Opening with solid blues opener, I Know I'd Be Playing The Blues, Wayne on piano, organ and lead vocal leads the way backed by Russell Jackson on bass, Joey DiMarco on drums, and Yuji Ihara on guitars. Billy Branch adds some real nice licks on harmonica to spice up this fine opener. Opening it up on Start Rockin' Dave Babcock on sax and Bob Tildesley on trumpet pump up the action and Wayne's piano playing really rolls, balanced nicely against Yuji's guitar. Laying way back on I Like That Woman, Wayne sets a great pace on piano and his vocals are excellent. Jump track, Jimmy and Johnny has great feel with a trumpet solo by Tildesley and really nice piano work by Wayne. Very cool. Lake Country Boogie, led by the warm sax work of Babcock gives Wayne a wide open road to ply his trade. Wayne isn't shy and shows he really is the blues boss and Babcock stays toe to toe with him making this a terrific instrumental. an Old Brick Wall is another great boogie but with rich warm guitar chords and super soloing by Duke Robillard, great organ work by Wayne and power sax by Babcock. One of my favorite tracks, That Raggedy Shack, on the release features a nice paired lead vocal over a solid boogie beat. Babcock hits the sax solo square and the band is tight. Wrapping the release is a traditional take on Georgia On My Mind with solid vocals over electric piano by Wayne, Mati Vaarmann on Hammond, Mait Paldra on bass, Raul Ukareda on guitar, Jevgeni Lamba on guitar and Jaak Ahelik on drums. Veery solid closer for a solid release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Me & the Originator, from Al Basile and it's a cool mix of poetry, story telling and super music. Opening with the initial story line, Basile sets the stage for the release in story telling fashion. Continuing the story but through song, Basile on vocal and cornet, leads the way, backed by Brad Hallen on bass, Mark Teixeira on tom tom, Bruce Bears on keys and Duke Robillard on guitar. My J-O-B is a cool shuffle track with some of the best vocals on the release. Robillard's riffs are tight with a swing feel and Basile's own cornet work paired with the trumpet work of Jeff Chanonhouse is always cool. One of my favorite tracks on the release is She Made Me Believe It, a slower blues number with soulful vocals, brass and organ backing and super guitar soloing by Robillard. Excellent! Here Come Your Trouble is another cool shuffle tune with a solid bop cornet solo from Basile and excellent piano work from Bears. R&B style blues track, First One To Go, has a real nice guitar solo by Robillard and stylistic cornet work by Basile over solid bass work of Hallen. Very nice. Wrapping the release is If It Goes It Goes/How It Goes, a bluesy jazz number with a great walking bass line and grinding guitar riffs by Robillard. Hallen's bass line, Bears' bright key work and Chanonhouse's trumpet backing roll the release into Basile's closure on his story. This is an interesting release with some really cool music.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Duke and his Dames of Rhythm, by Duke Robillard and it's a mighty swing fest. Opening with From Monday On, Sunny Crownover has the floor, backed by Bruce Bears on piano, Brad Hallen on bass, Mark Teixeira on drums, Jon Erik Kellso on trumpet, Billy Novick on clarinet and alto sax, Carl Querfurth on trombone and of course Robillard on guitar. A bright prance, this track has super clarinet, strong guitar riffs, a powerful bass line and a particularly nice trombone solo by Querfurth. Maria Muldaur had the floor on Got The South In My Soul and again, powerful clarinet soloing by Novick and bright guitar riffs by the Duke really set it off. Kelley Hunt steps up to the mic on Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone, a solid blues ballad with solid vocals, jumping into swing time with Mark Earley's brilliant tenor sax solo. Kellso's trumpet work, Bears' piano work, another clarinet solo by Novick and a tight bass line from Hallen really give this track spank. Madeline Peyroux is a solid choice to deliver the sensuous vocal lines on Squeeze Me. Duke's guitar lines are tight, direct and rich providing a super contrast to the soulful soloing of Novick and the jazzy runs of Kellso. Very nice. Duke steps forward himself delivering perfect lead vocal on Walking Stick. This track has really nice instrumental lead work on it with particularly nice runs by Robillard, Andy Stein on violin and Kellso, with tight instrumental jazz jamming. Excellent! Catherine Russell has the lead on Blues In My Heart, surrounded by the bluesy muted horns of Kellso and Querfurth. On Easy Living, Peyroux has the lead over mild, jazz tones, warm sax harmony, simple piano and tight drums. Novick's tenor sax work on this track is particularly warm and rich and Kellso's trumpet is muted and solid. Ready For The River has a strong Dixieland jazz feel with brassy horns, mellow clarinet undertones and simple cadence. This one of my favorite tracks on the release with really nice balance. Wrapping the release is Call Of The Freaks, an instrumental track with a cool blend of trombone, clarinet, drums and piano stretching out to super guitar and muted trumpet soloing. Strong closer to an interesting release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Quiet Money, from Al Basile and it has great body! Basile, hot cornet player and legendary first trumpet with Roomful of Blues is back with Duke Robillard on guitar, Mark Teixeira on drums, Brad Hallen on bass, Bruce Bears on piano, Doc Chanonhouse on trumpet, Rich Lataille on tenor sax and Doug James on tenor and bari saxes. Opening with Blues Got Blues, Basile and Robillard lead the way with balanced lead lines making for a solid opener. On Simple Ain't Easy, Robillard lays out some really tasty lead work under Basile's vocals giving it great feel. Basile steps up with muted cornet and plays off the tempo for super accent. On title track, Quiet Money, James has the bari out and the heft really sets the track. With an easy swing, Basile's vocals ride the groove on this laid back number. Put Some Salt On It, a prime 12 bar number, Basile lays in a real nice cornet lead, complimenting his vocals and Robillard's guitar work is stinging. Jump track, The Time Is Now, has a snappy pace and loose, flamboyant guitar riffs by Robiolard, and well punctuated cornet lead by Basile. Swing track, I Woulda Been Wrong is one of my favorites on the release with signature guitar riffs by Robillard and some of Basile's best vocals on the release. Robillard really digs deep and lays out some of the most expressive riffs on Not Today. James really steps up with a fat sax solo on True To Form paired nicely with solos by Robillard and Basile. Wrapping the release is ballad, Who's Gonna Close My Eyes? Featuringthe vocals of Basile deep bari work by James, Bears piano finesse and a melodic solo by Basile, this is a solid closer to a solid release.
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kingdom of Swing, by Adrianna Marie and her roomful of all-stars, and it's tasty. Opening with Kingdom of Swing you are transported to the 40's with a great bottom by Kedar Roy on bass and Brian Fahey. The ROOM is FULL with the Roomful Horns and a terrific trumpet solo by Doug Woolverton and excellent solo by Carl Querfurth and of course super sax work by Doug James, Rich Lataille and Mark Earley. Wow! Marie belts away on Better Beware and the warmth of James, Lataille and Earley is super. With super sax solos on this one and the cool piano work of Al Copley and a really nicely styled guitar solo by Jones, this is another winner. Catch the ripping sax solo by James on Sidecar Mama teamed with Earley and Lataille and raw guitar work of Jones for a grand slam. Jones plays some particularly warm solo lead on Duke Ellington's Mood Indigo teamed with some of Marie's best vocals on the release making it a solid classic. Beautifully appointed sax and trumpet solos on this track, backed by the fullness of the Horns is superb. With a solid bass line and horns blazing, 3 AM Blues struts in taking no prisoners. Another really rich sax solo, followed by nicely articulated guitar lead gives this track real zip. Duke Robillard sits on adding some really nice guitar lead and again, the best sax section on the planet is here with plenty of solo's including a robust solo from James. Memphis Boogie is a real rabid track with super solos from Querfurth, Lataille, Earley and Jones. On Chicago style track, Drive me Daddy, Bob Corritore joins in on harp and Woolverton's muted trumpet as Jones demonstrates some Muddy Water's like slide work. BB King's Jump With You Baby gets a serious guitar job from Junior Watson. With it's serious swing and heavy horn work, it's smoking with woven lines. The Blues are Brewing really gets a big band work over with stretched solos throughout. A particularly jazzy blues track, it stands out nicely. One Sweet Letter has a great strut emphasized by a tight solo by Woolverton. T-Bone Boogie is a wild ride with excellent guitar flash from Jones and great depth from James. Whew! Wrapping the release is Blues After Hours with gripping blues work by Jones. This is an excellent closer to an excellent release. If you love horns, you'll love this release!
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Stony Plain
Records and Duke Robillard Remember Jay Geils
Late Guitarist Recorded Several Albums of Jazz and Swing Music
EDMONTON, AB – When guitarist Jay Geils passed away last
week at age 71, he left behind a legacy of wonderful music, not only for the
blues-rock sounds he created within his namesake
J. Geils Band, but also on several albums he recorded for Stony Plain Records that explored the
music of his formative years – jazz and swing – instilled in him by his father.
“Stony
Plain was honored to release several swing jazz recordings by Jay Geils
including two projects by New Guitar Summit (Jay Geils, Duke Robillard and
Gerry Beaudoin),” said Stony Plain Records founder Holger Petersen. “It
was a joy to be in the studio with them and to witness Jay's ability to
arrange big band songs for three great swing guitar players. Jazz and
blues were his first love and he had a deep understanding of their
roots. I admired him for turning his back on rock stardom to play the
music he loved.”
“I am truly saddened by the loss of Jay Geils,” said Duke
Robillard. “He was a wonderful human being; intelligent, talented, charming and
a good friend. His in-depth knowledge of blues, jazz, guitars and Italian cars
was remarkable and he was always enthusiastic and fun to be around. Jay was a
down to earth guy in spite of his rock legend status. He will be missed by his
legions of friends and fans.”
The New Guitar Summit albums included the trio’s self-titled
first CD, as well as a DVD video release, Live from Stoneham Theatre,
both out on the Stony Plain label in 2004. In the New Guitar Summit CDliner
notes, writer Ted Drozdowski called it “A swinging hybrid of jazz and blues
music using delightful three-part harmony playing that's the signature of this
epic guitar trio.”
The three New England-based guitarists first began
performing together in 1997, with one of their highlights coming that year when
they joined the Woody Herman Orchestra as special guests in front of 5,000 fans
at City Hall Plaza in Boston.
In 2008, New Guitar Summit
released Shivers, a studio album which was produced by Jay Geils.
Joining as special guest on Shivers was legendary Canadian
rocker Randy Bachman (Guess Who, Bachman Turner Overdrive), who added his
sparkling guitar work and laid-back vocals on two Mose Allison classic songs,
“Your Mind Is On Vacation” and “Everybody’s Crying Mercy.” In addition to the
Mose Allison tunes, the band covered such classics as “Flying Home,” “Honey
Suckle Rose,” “Broadway” and the title track, written by Charlie Christian and
Lionel Hampton. The band also added a jumping arrangement on the early rock ‘n’
roll/R&B chestnut, “Little Bitty Pretty One,” plus four original songs.
In addition to the New Guitar Summit recordings, Geils also
released the solo album, Jay Geils Plays Jazz, in 2005 for Stony
Plain.
I just received the newest release, Blues Full Circle, from Duke Robillard and it's styling. Opening with Lay a Little Lovin' On Me, Robillard has lead vocals and the band is sets up a creep. Bruce Bears lays the ground work on piano, backed by Brad Hallen on bass and Mark Teixeira on drums. Robillard ealks in with a really nice fat guitar scream giving the track real attitude. Nice opener. On easy shuffle, Rain Keeps Falling, Bears and Robillard swap lead work under the vocal keeping it tight. Mourning Dove slows it down a bit and Duke plays some of his most expressive riffs of the release. Ouch! Back up to tempo, No More Tears, has a nice groove and Robillard steps out in style backed by Bear's organ work. Very nice. Jimmy Lewis' Last Night features Sugar Ray Norcia and his vocals are rich. Robillard's guitar work is clean and tight and Saw Gordon Beadle lays in some real nice sax work. On New Orleans saturated, A Fool About My Money Bears and Teixeira really set the scene with Bears taking an extended piano solo leading into a contained solo by Robillard. Quite a cool track with particularly nice vocals by Robillard. Kelley Hunt takes the floor on vocal and piano on The Mood Room. A rolling blues rocker, has strong bass work from Hallen and cool solos by Bears and Robillard. Very cool. Taking the tempo down a few notches, I've Got A Feelin' That You're Foolin' has a cool Tulsa country blues style and Robillard shows he knows this style well nice blues riffs throughout. Jimmie Vaughan's Shufflin' and Scufflin' features Robillard paired with Jimmie Vaughan on guitar. A real cool shuffle tune with Bears on organ, and the boys trading, it's Doug James who steps up with the grand slam on Bari sax. Very nice. Blues for Eddie Jones is a cool track about Guitar Slim. Bears' piano work nicely nighlights the scatter guitar riffs. Sweet. On jazz shuffle, You Used To Be Sugar, has a real nice groove pushed by Hallen's bass work and Duke takes a nice walk on the fretboard. On somber ballad, Worth Waitin' On, Robillard put's up some of his best vocals, carried by Bears, who not only sets the carrier but also plays a really nice organ solo. Wrapping the release is Come With Me Baby, a real nice low slung blues, with Robillard answering his vocal call with his guitar response. Saving the best for last, Robillard hits the groove square on with some excellent guitar riffs. Super closer for a cool release.
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I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Mid-Century Modern, from Al Basile and he's spot on. Sporting a who's who of musicians, Basile mixes blues, funk, rock and jazz for a real Mid-Century experience. Opening with Keep Your Love, Where's My Money, a slick new Orleans style track with a cool back beat, Basile and his crew, Rich Lataille, Duke Robillard, Bruce Bears, Doug James, Monster Mike Welch, Mark Teixeira and Brad Hallen set the club scene nicely. Basile sets a real nice table on cornet, complimenting his vocals and super stylized piano by Bears makes this track sing. Funky, Like You or Despise You, has a cool trumpet vamp by Jeff "Doc" Channonhouse and over a nice bass line by Hallen, Basile lays out a really cool cornet riff and Monster Mike's guitar work is slick. On Midnight Blue Persuasion, a straight R&B groove, Basile presents some of the top vocals on the release. This track has a real nice feel, like R&B from the 60's with his own cornet work on showcase. Tickle My Mule is a clever track with innuendo and I really like Monster Mike's guitar work on this track. Excellent! Really getting into the Louis Jordan swing thing , I've Gotta Have Meat, is great track and the band is really cooking. Rich Lataille and Doug James really shine on this track with hot sax work. Funky, Like A Woman, , Like A Man features Duke Robillard screaming hot on guitar with Albert King like riffs. I love King and this track is hot! Blank Dog has a really nice groove with saxes a blazing and snappy drum work by Mark Teixeira. Nice trumpet work by Doc and excellent guitar riffs compliment Basile's soulful cornet work making this another super track. Shuffle track, Carry These Blues has great warmth and sports great vocals and cornet work by Basile, nice trumpet work by Doc, essential piano backing and some real nice guitar riffs by Welch. Swampy, No Truth To The Rumor, rides heavy on the back of Hallen, with Bears laying in some terrific piano lines and Basile's cornet hot spots. On light shuffle, Listen To The Elders, Basile goes down more of a big band path with trumpet and sax work taking a stronger spot. James' work on bari sax is really hot and I always love Bruce Bears work on everything he does. Basile has a real nice hand with his cornet laying in just the right amount of seasoning. Soul track, Night Crossing, has strong radio bones with a funky bottom compliments of Hallen. Big Trees Falling is really nice and funky and Hallen is setting the pace. With Doc hitting the trumpet on rhythm, Basile steps up on cornet taking lead. Welch rips some really fat riffs over Bears clever piano riffs giving the track some really traction. Wrapping the release is Lie Under The House with Me, a quiet jazz track with an almost Miles feel. Basile takes some of his best horn rides on this track and Robillard sets up for a slam of his own on this one with nicely articulated guitar work. Calm and soulful, a nice closer for a different taste of blues.
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I just received the newest release, Jumpin' & Boppin' from Kenny 'Blues Boss" Wayne and it's a swinging party. Opening with, Blues Boss Shuffle, and with hot solos from Dave Babcock on sax and duke Robillard on guitar, Boss really has this place hopping on piano. Bankrupted Blues features Boss on lead vocal with a really nice swinging guitar solo from Robillard and backing from Russell Jackson on bass, Charlie Jacobson on guitar, Joey DiMarco on drums and Babcock on sax. Very nice. Jumpin' & Boppin' For Joy is really hot with a boogie bottom. This track smokes with great speed and smoking hot solos from Robillard and Boss. Excellent! Blues Stew is low slung and easy. Sexy sax and nicely stated piano work compliments smooth vocals. Classic, You Don't Know Me, features Wayne on upfront vocals highlighted by his own piano and organ work and lightly peppered with guitar and rhythm. Babcock blows another sweet sax solo to cap off the tune. Blackmail Blues has a bit of Jimmy Reeds style. Jacobson and Wayne both take nice solos keeping to the structured blues style. On big band style rumble, Look Out! There's A Train Coming, Wayne and Babcock really get the place hopping. Robillard takes a nice solo and Babcock really gets deep on bari. Super track. On piano boogie, I Need Your Lovin', Jackson's bass work is particularly strong giving Wayne the freedon to solo boogie on piano. Excellent! Ciao, Ciao Baby has a super swing and Wayne and Babcock lead the way. Robillard dresses the track nicely with clean clear riffs and Wayne lays out some of the best vocals on the release. A cool solo on guitar sits simmers nicely in this clever track. Slow blues style, Back To Square One, has great dynamics with nicely blended piano, vocal and rhythm under smooth vocals and really nicely stylized guitar soloing. Very nice! On I'm Comin' Home, Sherman Doucette adds yet another dimension to this boogie woogie with harp. riffs. With change ups and soulful riffs by Doucette this track is soulful. Rock, Rock Little Girl is a hot "Little Richard" style rockin boogie with solid sax backing and of course rolling piano. A super hot rocker with smoking guitar riffs, this track is killer. Wrapping the release is Boogie To Gloryland. This is an excellent piano boogie instrumental and an nexcellent track to wrap a very nice release. Check it out!
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Stony Plain Records Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary
with Special 3-CD Set of Music Including Rarities and Previously Unreleased
Tracks on June 3rd
EDMONTON, AB – Stony Plain Records, Canada’s premier
roots music label, announces a June 3rd release date for a special 3-CD set, 40
Years of Stony Plain, which includes cuts from its illustrious history
of albums, as well as a complete disc of rarities and previously unreleased
tracks.
“Celebrating Stony Plain’s 40th Anniversary
by putting together this specially priced three CD set has been a joy,” writes
label founder/president Holger Petersen in the album package. “Not only going
back over those years and selecting some of our favorite tracks, but to also
dig deeper to find rare and previously unreleased material by old friends Eric
Bibb, Duke Robillard, Maria Muldaur, David Wilcox, the late Bob Carpenter,
Walter ‘Shakey’ Horton and the legendary Sam Chatmon and His Barbeque Boys from
1979. With extensive notes and packaging, this stunning collection of 47 songs
will be a joyful surprise for true music fans everywhere.”
Long-time
label friend and celebrated Canadian publicist Richard Flohil contributes an
insightful timeline to Stony Plain’s history and contributions to the music
industry in his liner notes.
“As
I write, I realize that this is the seventh time that I’ve written this
opening sleeve note for a collection of music tracks for a Stony Plain Records
compilation,” states Flohil. “What’s ‘new’ in the history of this unique
Canadian roots music label? Answer: Not much — except, amazingly, that Stony
Plain’s still here, still releasing new music. And that it’s the oldest
independent record company (in Canada) that’s persevered for four decades with
the same ownership.
“Every
five years, starting with the label’s 10th anniversary, Stony Plain
has released a compilation of new and old material from the vaults. And every
five years, an opening sleeve note introduces (or re-introduces) the Stony
Plain story to the people who are listening to the music.”
Recognized
worldwide for its consistent quality roots and blues releases, one of Stony
Plains early fans was legendary Atlantic Records music producer and label
executive Jerry Wexler, who singled out the independent label for praise.
“The
Independent Label is the soul of the record biz; on one hand the fount and
nurturer of the new and untested, the eschewer of the Commercial Compromise,”
said Wexler. “On the other, it is the Enunciator of the Gospel of Low Overhead.
Behold the Stony Plain catalogue, not large but lapidary, and wonder how
(Holger Petersen) has done it with such small staff. And he always returns my
phone calls. He has a wonderful label, he presents wonderful music, and I
congratulate him.”
Stony
Plain Records has earned 6 Grammy nominations and a shelf full of Canadian
accolades, including 11 Juno Awards, some 20 Maple Blues Awards, and Canadian
Country Music Association awards as well. The Blues Foundation named Stony
Plain as the 2014 label of the year, and Holger Petersen as broadcaster of the
year in 2008. This year, he marks his 30th year as the host of Saturday
Night Blues, nationally broadcast every week on CBC Radio; he also
continues to host Natch’l Blues each week on CKUA after 47 years.
“Since
1976, Stony Plain has reflected its owners’ eclectic tastes, survived, and
continues to release vibrant, substantive music,” Richard Flohil writes. “The
label’s genesis goes back a little further than that — Petersen has been a
music addict since he was a little kid, and his enthusiasms have led him (often
simultaneously) in a variety of different directions.
“Petersen’s
also earned two honorary doctorate degrees from Athabasca University and the
University of Alberta, and — most important of all — was inducted into the
Order of Canada, the country’s highest civil honor, for his services to
Canadian culture in 2003.
“Having
released more than 400 albums since the label began at the kitchen table of a
suburban Edmonton house, Stony Plain continues to flourish. Amid dire
predictions of recorded music’s demise over the years, Stony Plain is still
here, thanks to the determination and enthusiasm of the people that founded the
label and those who work there. And Holger Petersen, at 66, is still having fun
and still finding artists and music and songs that turn him on and which he
thinks will appeal to people who care about the roots of popular music.”
For A Tour of the Stony Plain Offices: Produced by The Image Works, Connie Edwards and Doug
Cole.
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For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
