Blues
Ronnie Earl has lots of friends. That's the inescapable conclusion upon hearing the fine Ronnie Earl and Friends, where Earl gets back to basics after 2000's jazz-inflected Healing Time, along with guests such as James Cotton, Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson, Irma Thomas, and Earl's fellow Fabulous Thunderbird, Kim Wilson.
Though Earl's guitar work shines, he gives his guests plenty of room as well, with material suited to their individual styles and abilities. For instance, Thomas's vocals on "I'll Take Care of You/Lonely Avenue" and "New Vietnam Blues" spotlight her characteristic deep, rich glow. Wilson and Cotton duet several times, but neither undercuts nor interrupts the other. As journalist (and Amazon.com contributor) Ted Drozdowski comments in the liner notes, "It is not a Ronnie Earl solo album, but a full-on collaboration between Ronnie and people he has known and loved for years." That observation is borne out by every note.
By Genevieve Williams.
**
How? It truly is simple. BUY THIS ALBUM!!!!!! If you are already into electric guitar blues with piano and harmonica, then you most likely already own this album or need to ASAP! If you are new to the blues genre or are looking for an ideal album to introduce someone to the blues, then this CD is IT!!! Ronnie Earl, blues guitarist extraordinaire, has absolutely outdone himself by assembling on short notice some of the best and brightest blues players alive today. He hoped to just jam together for a few days in Woodstock and create some recorded magic the way great musicians did on Delmark label recorded off-the-cuff jams late night during the 1960s. This album is proof that they succeeded beyond Ronnie's wildest dreams! James Cotton plays harmonica that will give you goosebumps the size of welts, Levon Helm gives class on how blues drumming should be done, Luther Johnson croons a few vocals while plunking his guitar brilliantly, David Maxwell tickles the piano keys with pure joy, Kim Wilson belts out vocals and harmonica, while Irma Thomas sings her soulful best on two songs that could kill with delight a weak-hearted listener! Jimmy Mouradian gets occasional help on bass from Michael "Mudcat" Ward while Paul Marrochello and Tim "Juice" O'Connor add rhythm guitar to an inspired update of "Viet Cong Blues" called "New Vietnam Blues" paying tribute to veterans. There is not a weak cut on this album with "Mighty Fine Boogie" being my personal favorite. Ronnie Earl had battled with depression the two years before recording this classic but, I'm sure the result has him now grinning from ear to ear!
Like I said earlier, BUY THIS ALBUM!!! You will not regret it ever!
By Erik J. Fortmeyer.
**
01. All Your Love
02. Rock Me Baby
03. I'll Take Care of You / Lonely Avenue
04. Mighty Fine Boogie
05. One More Mile
06. Bad Boy
07. Twenty-five Days
08. No More
09. Last Night
10. New Vietnam Blues
11. Marie
12. Blue And Lonesome
13. Looking Good
**
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