DUKE ROBILLARD BAND
Blue Mood (Stony Plain)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Fans of swing-influenced blues will jump for joy at Duke Robillard's new Stony Plain CD, Blue Mood, a tribute to one of the true pioneers of the electric guitar, Aaron "T-Bone" Walker. T-Bone's probably best known for "Call It Stormy Monday," but his career spanned a true musical revolution, from recording for so-called "race records" in the 20's and 30's, and then reaching one of the peaks of post-war popular music, Atlantic Records. T-Bone was Duke's initial musical muse, and Duke has honored the memory and style of a guitar legend. Blue Mood is bathed in smooth horns and fine picking, thanks to a full horn section that features Doug James on baritone and tenor sax, Sax Gordon Beadle on tenor, Billy Novick on alto sax and clarinet, Al Basile on cornet, Carl Querfurth on trombone, and Duke's Epiphone guitar. Rounding out the horn section, John Abrahamsen sits in on trumpet for "T-Bone Boogie." This year, Duke picked up his fourth Best Guitarist Award at the W. C. Handy Blues Awards, and Blue Mood continues a career steeped in jazz and the blues.

Track List:

Lonesome Woman Blues * T-Bone Shuffle * Love is a Gamble * Alimony Blues * You Don't Love Me * T-Bone Boogie * Blue Mood * Pony Tail * I'm Still in Love With You * Hard Way * Born to Be No Good * Tell Me What's the Reason

© 2004 - Eric Steiner