Duke Robillard hits another one out of the ballpark as his 16th album for Stony Plain turns the clock back to the rockin' R&B of the '40s and '50s
Duke Robillard's long and amazingly fruitful relationship with Stony Plain Records has produced some astonishing music - and his latest for the label adds horns and digs deep into the riotous, raunchy, rockin' '40s and '50s R&B that helped launch rock and roll. One of the most versatile and accomplished guitarists playing today, Robillard has always been fascinated by the roots of American popular music - and he's tackled everything from blues to the classic American songbook to jazz guitar duets, rock-influenced trios, small and big band swing recordings. Stomp! The Blues Tonight is certainly different from anything else Robillard has recorded for the Edmonton, Alberta-based label. Adding a strong horn section on many of the tracks - anchored by long-term colleagues Doug James on baritone and tenor, and Rich Lataille on tenor and alto - makes sure that tunes like "Stomp the Blues Tonight", "Do Me Right", "Look and Don't Touch", "Tore Up" and "Playful Baby" roar out of your speakers. A rock solid rhythm section, and Bruce Bears' inspired piano playing gives the tunes the lift they need. And there's also a revival of "Money's Getting Cheaper" - a song for the New Depression if ever there was one. Originally popularized by Charles Brown, it became a staple in the repertoire of Jimmy Witherspoon, with a different title, "Time's Getting Tougher than Tough."
This is great, honking, squawking, sax and guitar driven music. The early years of R&B saw the making of fabulous American music, and the new CD is proof you can recreate the past, twist it up a bit, make it sound as tough as it used to. Play Stomp! The Blues Tonight as loud as your speakers go. Oh, yes, and dance!