After a year absence from the scene caused by what Duke refers to as “Les Paulsy,” which led to considerable shoulder discomfort and ultimately surgery, the Rhode Island based bluesman has yet another album coming out on September 9^th on his long time label Stony Plain Records.

It wasn’t like a year would go by without a Duke Robillard album. That would be unthinkable, as there isn’t a more prolific recording artist in the blues field than Duke Robillard. Duke was able to cobble together enough old tunes (eighteen to be exact) from various projects through the years to put together a great album last year entitled, The Acoustic Blues and Roots of Duke Robillard  (also on Stony Plain Records), which won him a Blues Music Award in the Best Acoustic Album category. (Read my review of that album here.)

While on the shelf, Duke was was able to sit down and write several new tunes for Blues Full Circle to go along with some old tunes he had kicking around. His time away from the bandstand allowed Duke to rest his voice and that instrument sounds as good as it has in many years. He also found time to work on his painting and photography. It is his original artwork that graces the album cover and the inside of the six panel sleeve.

The appropriately named “All Star Combo” referenced on the CD cover is in fact Duke’s long time band. They are drummer Mark Teixeira, bassist Brad Hallen as well as piano and Hammond organ player Bruce Bears. They are first rate and create a great ensemble sound which gives Duke a chance to show off his prodigious chops. However, like all great blues men, and this is certainly the case with a formidable talent like Robillard and company, it is always song before solo.

This time out Duke, the master of taste and texture, is sporting a rather sharp, crisp tone not unlike one of his contemporaries who makes a guest appearance on Full Circle, the legendary Jimmie Vaughan. The six and half minute Vaughan original entitled Shufflin’ and Scufflin’ is one of the album’s highlights. The two guitar masters swap licks and share the spotlight with long time Roomful of Blues accomplice and Robillard sideman, now a veteran of Jimmie Vaughan’s Tilt a Whirl Band, baritone sax man Doug James. Bruce Bears takes a nice Hammond B3 solo on this number as well.  

Singer Kelly Hunt, as well as the great Sugar Ray Norcia of Sugar Ray and the Bluetones’ fame, also make great contributions to Blues Full Circle. Hunt sings one of her original tunes, The Mood Room, an homage to Duke’s home recording studio. Norcia does a marvelous reading of Jimmy Lewis’ Last Night. On this tune it is the tenor saxophone of ‘Sax’ Gordon Beadle that can be heard.

Blues Full Circle is a very satisfying album from start to finish and the best new Duke Robillard album in many years. There is nothing not to like about Blues Full Circle. Duke, it is good to have you back. Highly recommended...

- David Mac



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