Guitarist Duke Robillard has put out a catalog of albums that celebrate the various environments a six stringer can feel comfortable in. This time, he goes to Memphis, home of dry rub BBQ and comes up with a wonderfully swampy session with Bruce Bears/key, Brad Hallen/b, Mark Teixeira/dr, and a fun mix of cameos by vocals and horns . You’re gonna think you’re back in the Stax Records studio with foot stomping tunes like “Down in Mexico” and “Emphasis on Memphis.” The hot boogie on “Motor Trouble” is as saucy as Porky’s Pork Pull sandwich, while Sunny Crownover’s alluring vocals on the sizzling “ Blues Beyond the Call of Duty” is as sweaty as the back room of Rendevouz’s. Duke himself picks and grins like it’s Friday night on Beale Street with some raucous work on “Svengali” when he delves into his inner Howlin’ Wolf” while a take of the classic R&B “She’s So Fine” is as thick as an August night with the humidity at 95. You’re gonna love this one-all that’s missing is Wilson Pickett!
Stony Plain Records