“Nothing fancy, just the good old blues,” GRAMMY winning guitar master Duke Robillard says of his new album, Blues Bash — available November 20th, 2020 via Stony Plain Records.
To know Duke is to know he would say that, but there’s no downplaying this instant career highlight from one of the world’s best bluesmen.
As always with a Robillard release, the music is impeccable, classy, and powerful. The five-time Blues Award winner is in his element displaying a 50-year career authority, versatility, passion, and virtuosity with the inimitable ease that comes from being both a world class artist and a true historian, scholar, and curator of the craft.
“My concept was to make a straight vintage-style blues album with no frills or attempt at having catchy hook-laden songs,” Robillard says. “Just danceable blues with plenty of bright-sounding Fender guitar a la Ike Turner, Lefty Bates, etc. It was pretty much a reunion of sorts; I wanted the material to be simple, straight-ahead 50s-style blues and R&B, and a good listening or dancing record like the blues records I bought when I was a kid.
“Basically, a party album — that feeling is what I want to convey,” he continues. “Nothing fancy, just the good old blues.”
One listen confirms Blues Bash checks every box.
A celebration of timeless virtues and verities — and a celebration of celebrations itself — Blues Bash comes in at 10 tracks featuring two stellar horn sections, searing guitar and organ solos, and boogie boogie piano. Front and centre always, Duke plays gracious host to guests aplenty, and the collective roster spans the full chronicle of Duke’s recording career, including his earliest days at Roomful of Blues.
Blues Bash Track Listing
Do You Mean It (feat. Chris Cote)
No Time
What Can I Do (feat. Chris Cote)
Everybody Ain’t Your Friend
Rock Alley
You Played On My Piano (feat. Michelle ‘Evil Gal’ Willson)
I Ain’t Gonna Do It
You Don’t Know What You’re Doin’ (feat. Chris Cote)
Give Me All The Love You Got
Just Chillin
