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Blues Bash
Duke Robillard & Friends
Stony Plain Records 2020
Review by David Bowling
Duke Robillard is now a half-century or so into his career and remains one of the hardest working and most prolific bluesmen in music today. He helped found Roomful Of Blues and has gone on to release 30 plus solo albums, in addition to producing and guesting on dozens of projects.
Many times the simple path is best and so it is with his new album, Blues Bash. The concept was just to make an album of blues songs he liked with a group of long-time friends.
The music, as always, is impeccable and well-produced. Robillard’s guitar solo’s are creative and powerful and they continue to be highlights of any of his releases.
His basic band of keyboardist Bruce Bears, drummer Mark Teixeira, and bassists Jesse Williams and Marty Ballou provide the foundation for his three original and seven cover songs. He then builds upon this foundation with brass, harp, and guest vocalists. It all adds up to an album of basic but party-oriented blues.
At this point in his career, I doubt if Robillard could make an average album. Blues Bash is well above that level and should provide enjoyment for any aficionado of the blues.
Rating: ****