Music Feedback
New This WeekAround TownMusicFilmArtTheaterNews & FeaturesFood & DrinkAstrology
  HOME
NEW THIS WEEK
EDITORS' PICKS
LISTINGS
NEWS & FEATURES
MUSIC
FILM
ART
BOOKS
THEATER
DANCE
TELEVISION
FOOD & DRINK
ARCHIVES
LETTERS
PERSONALS
CLASSIFIEDS
ADULT
ASTROLOGY
PHOENIX FORUM DOWNLOAD MP3s



Duke Robillard
LIVING WITH THE BLUES
(STONY PLAIN)

Stars graphics

Duke Robillard sounds hungrier than he has for a long time. The founder of Roomful of Blues, former Fabulous Thunderbird, and all-around New England blues and roots man sticks to the straight stuff on this release, howling out vocals on winners like Freddy King’s "Use What You Got" and burning the strings on the guitar rave-up "Stratisfied." Robillard’s work for Stony Plain includes a jazz disc with Herb Ellis and inspired session work behind old-timers (including an excellent comeback disc by Rosco Gordon), and he usually incorporates swing and other elements into his own recordings. But this is as straight a shot of blues as he’s let loose in a while. With Sax Gordon Beadle and other blues stalwarts in tow, Robillard digs into tracks by B.B. King, Little Milton, Brownie McGhee, and other lions, including songs he’s been playing live for decades but never recorded. Maybe that’s why he sounds more at home and just plain tougher than he has on other recent discs.

(Duke Robillard celebrates the release of Living with the Blues next Friday, May 31, at Johnny D’s. Call 617-776-2004.)

BY BILL KISLIUK

Issue Date: May 23 - 30, 2002
Back to the Music table of contents.


home | feedback | about the phoenix | find the phoenix | advertising info | privacy policy | the masthead | work for us

 © 2002 Phoenix Media Communications Group