Duke Robillard – Passport To The Blues

12,10

Out of stock

SKU: Dixiefrog 8694 Categories: , Tag:

Description

Duke Robillard's Passport to the Blues (DFG 8694) follows the success of his Grammy-nominated release Stomp! The Blues Tonight (DFG 8669) - it's a tough collection of songs that's a strong return to his grittiest blues roots. This time, the spotlight has shifted toward the songs themselves, and Robillard offers "tunes for grownups" like "Text Me," "The High Cost of Lovin'" and "Fatal Heart Attack." The opening song, "Workin' Hard for my Uncle," parallels The Beatles' "Taxman" - Duke's American uncle, of course, is Sam, and he wants most of the songwriter's income.

Track Listing:
1. Workin' Hard For My Uncle - 4:05   2. Hong Kong Suit - 4:47   3. Blues Train - 5:20   4. Girl Let Me Tell Ya - 2:45   5. Rhode Island Red Rooster - 3:45   6. Fatal Heart Attack - 4:10   7. Make It Rain - 5:44   8. When You're Old You're Cold - 5:29   9. Text Me - 4:00   10. Duke's Evening Blues - 5:22   11. The High Cost Of Lovin' - 4:47   12. Grey Sky Blues - 8:38   Bonus track: 13. Bradford Boogie - 5:22

Personnel:
Duke Robillard (guitars, vocals) , Doug James (harp, saxophones) , Bruce Bears (organ, piano) , Brad Hallen (bass) , Mark Teixeira (drums)

Reviews:

1. AllMusic - Hal Horowitz
There has been no lack of Duke Robillard product on the market; the roots guitarist has recorded approximately ten albums since 2000. But he's been more of an interpreter than songwriter and there haven't been many original compositions on them. That makes this 2010 disc a welcome appearance for fans of the guitarist aching to hear fresh tunes from the Roomful of Blues founder. Perhaps touring as part of Tom Waits' band -- this disc's only cover is a roaring version of Waits' "Make It Rain" -- inspired him, but these songs combine a deep blues sensibility with a sharp band and a raw instrumental attack often lost when Robillard indulges his jazz and jump blues sides. Like Waits, he uses Howlin' Wolf as a model, especially with regard to his flinty vocals, and even titles one track "Rhode Island Red Rooster," an obvious homage to one of Wolf's most recognizable compositions.Robillard won't win any awards for his singing but he's clearly inspired here and gets by on sheer vocal enthusiasm as he spins out this rollicking collection with gruff joy. A few jazzy numbers pepper the set, especially the playful "When You're Old You're Cold," but most of the disc is dedicated to tough, aggressive, swamp-inflected blues-infused tunes. He nicks another page from Waits' early years with the spoken "Duke's Evening Blues" that would have fit well on Waits' Nighthawks at the Diner and references Waits' Rain Dogs period on the Latin-flavored "Hong Kong Suit." Robillard dives deep into slow Chicago blues on the eight-minute guitar showcase of "Grey Sky" and revives "The High Cost of Loving," a track co-written by Doc Pomus and first heard on the guitarist's 1990's Turn It Around, giving it a new lease on life. Current events are run through some choice Chuck Berry riffs on "Text Me" and on the pounding, grinding opener, "Working Hard for My Uncle," that relative named Sam. His tight backing quartet features longtime associate and original Roomful member Doug James on saxes, who adds gutsy blowing to these bluesy romps. A closing bonus jam on "Bradford Boogie" gives the listener a sense of how musically connected the bandmembers are as they feed off each other and just have fun. That camaraderie is ultimately what makes this such a successful entry into Robillard's bulging catalog.

 

 

You may also like…

Duke Robillard

World Full Of Blues

2CD

When I conceived of this project to record a double disc CD, my intention was to record a set of…

Read more Add to cart15,00
Sale!

The Duke Robillard Band

Calling All Blues!

« Calling All Blues » is the new album from two-time Grammy nominee and multi Blues Music Award winning guitarist…

Read more Add to cart12,00 8,47
Sale!

Duke Robillard

Guitar Groove A Rama

NEW CD SALUTES DUKE’S MANY GUITAR INFLUENCES  Perhaps the most ambitious album in the career of this multi-award winning guitarist….

Read more Add to cart12,00 7,26
Sale!

Duke Robillard

The Acoustic Blues Of Duke Robillard

The Acoustic Blues & Roots Of Duke Robillard presents Robillard’s love of vintage blues, jazz and swing, with a selection…

Read more Add to cart12,00 9,68

Duke Robillard

Duke’s Box

3 CD

Duke Robillard is such a prolific artist that his fans have a hard time keeping up with the pace of…

Read more Add to cart15,00
Sale!

Duke Robillard

Exalted Lover

Brand new opus for one of the today guitar masters. Only original tunes. Sweet and sexy Pam Tillis and “Blues…

Read more Add to cart12,00 10,89

Duke Robillard and his All-Star Combo

Blues Full Circle

“This album really does represent a full circle of blues for me. Eight of the tunes are new compositions and…

Read more Add to cart12,10