Mike Duke is one of those venerable side men, always in support and eschewing the limelight. He’s been associated with bands ranging from Huey Lewis to the Outlaws and the Marshal Tucker band, spending a good amount of time with Delbert McClinton. Here, he teams up with a rotating bunch of buds like Bill Stewart/dr, Phil Yeager/b, and Ronnie Brown-Rick Kurtz/g for some nice and easy homespun moods.
The feel that most catches the ears is a connection to roots a la Bob Segar, particularly on pieces like “I’m Not Sad Enough” or the Cajun rocker “ Let me Be Your Fool Tonight” with the Zydeco Flames.” Elvin Bishop brings in a swampy guitar for the gospel-tuned “I Can’t Let You Go” and with jack Pearson he’s cozy on a blue “That’s What’s So Good About The South.” He mixes in pop feeling for “Little Miss Pony Tail and shows his chops as he goes full fisted on a solo “Nicasio.” Feels like Leon Russell passed the torch to this gent.