Audio CD review:
Ronnie Earl & Duke Robillard - The Duke Meets the Earl

Ronnie Earl & Duke Robillard - The Duke Meets the Earl

Band: Ronnie Earl & Duke Robillard Title: The Duke Meets the Earl Rating: Release Date: 2005-03-08 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: West Side Shuffle - Ronnie Earl, Robillard, Duke 2: Two Bones & a Pick - Ronnie Earl, Walker, T-Bone 3: My Tears - Ronnie Earl, Price, Walter 4: Lookin for Trouble - Ronnie Earl, Taylor, Eddie 5: What Have I Done Wrong - Ronnie Earl, Magic Sam 6: Zeb's Thing - Ronnie Earl, Earl, Ronnie 7: I Need You So Bad - Ronnie Earl, King, B. Riley 8: A Soul That's Been Abused - Ronnie Earl, Earl, Ronnie

Good Road Trip Music This was a nice CD - and since I am fan of both guitarists, I thought this would be a slam dunk. . but. . . I dunno, most of the material here is safe, standard faire that seems to be a union of two leaders each saying "No, after you". . . good backround music, nothing memorable. T-Bone's Spiritual Sons I can, and do listen to this for hours on end. If you've ever liked the T-Bone Walker style, or drooled over the pure T-Bone licks that both Ronnie and Duke have graced us with over the years, "Two Bones and a Pick" is eight minutes of pure jump-blues-guitar-heaven. If any two white guys have got that jump-blues-guitar-thang down, it's these two. T-Bone is grinning like a Cheshire cat. A guitar duel with production and quality music to back it up e. Unlike some artists who get together and try not to outplay each other, i. not show each other up, these two planned the session well ahead that allows each to show their virtousity against each other without the latter. The production, songs chosen and performance from other backing musicians are brilliant. If you like guitar duels in the jump blues fashion, this is a recording to buy. . Royal Rhapsody The Duke (Robillard) and the (Ronnie) Earl demonstrate why they are deserving members of Blues guitar royalty. This disc combines the considerable talents of two premier guitar players within the Blues genre. It has been well documented that this effort is not a showdown between rivals or a stage to demonstrate one-up-manship but rather two friends kicking back to jam back and forth and effectively intertwine their extensive expertise. I can only offer that this fine effort is seamless, seeming to be an overall masterpiece versus a collection of individual songs. The instrumental flow and sequencing of the songs is superb. The songs don't seem as lengthy as they are, avoiding the tediousness that sometimes befalls such efforts. Quite to the contrary, the hour plus of excellent music contained within seems to fly by leaving the listener wanting more. The two players pass the baton back and forth in an effortless manner, almost overly conscious as to not dominate the other's time. Ronnie and Duke demonstrate they are passionate craftsmen and worthy members of the upper class. Mighty Sam McClain's plaintive plea on "A Soul That's Been Abused" will only leave you wanting more. Ronnie Earl's slide guitar work on "Zeb's Thing" is also worth special mention. This is a can't miss addition to anyone's collection. . The Duke Meets The Earl Owning around 200 blues albums with close to 100 of them being lps. I bought this album on pure speculation it was an Amazon recommondation and was uncharted waters for me. I had never listened to either of these guys. Read the reviews and seemed like it would be a good venture. Received my cd figuring it would be like most blues albums and would take several listens before it would start throwing its arms around me. Wrong! This is one of the few albums I own that nails you right out of the box! It has been in my car stereo for around a month now and shows no indication of getting old. The first three tracks are non stop adrenalin guitar work with number three at just over 15 minutes just being a total piece of work. Smooth like a well aged whiskey. The final track with guest singer is one of the more haunting blues pieces I've ever heard. It's one of the few pieces I know that actually brings you to the edge of reverse blues and makes you feel bad this track is also in the 15 minute time slot too. All and all you can just let this cd run and it becomes nice back gound music to what ever it is you are doing. All in the way classical music does. I'd be surpised if any one really listening to this could give a bad rap! This is a real guitar players record. You can see a complete list of all Ronnie Earl & Duke Robillard discography, or go back to the Ronnie Earl & Duke Robillard tabs