DUKE ROBILLARD
Exalted Lover (Stony Plain)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Duke Robillard's records are always filled with surprises, given Duke's genre-smashing career that spans different styles of blues and jazz. Exalted Lover, Duke's newest on Canada's Stony Plain label, features 10 new songs and eight of them are new from Duke's pen. As with any Duke Robillard solo project, Exalted Lover offers quite a range of material that ranges from New Orleans funk, boogie blues, and smooth jazz. The real bright spots for me on Exalted Lover are the high-octane boogie of "Real Live Wire" and the duet with Debbie Davies on "How Long Has It Been" with Duke and Debbie trading stinging guitar leads on each side of the CD player. Rockabilly fans will rock to "Love Made a Liar Out of Me." Exalted Lover is like a musical encyclopedia, and continues to highlight the versatility of this W.C. Handy award-winning guitarist.

Track List:

Down Home Country Girl * I'll Never Be Free * Real Live Wire * Exalted Lover * Deep Inside * How Long Has It Been * Tore Up * Love Made a Liar Out of Me * Double X Daddy * Travelin Mood

© 2003 - Eric Steiner