Duke Robillard – Low Down and Tore Up 11.11.11

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The Duke Robillard Band

Low Down and Tore Up

Stony Plain

BluesWax Rating: 8

Wow! On my first listen (and my opinion has never changed on repeated listens), this is the Duke Robillard I experienced in 1984 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, at B.C.B.S. R&B Picnic sitting with Billy Blough (aka Dr. Martini) of George Thorogood’s band. We were in thralled, if that includes drinkin’ all day. Although at that time I believe it was a three-piece power trio that had energy out the ass.

Well, this isn’t a trio but it has the same ass-kickin’ energy, with the addition of long-time band member Bruce Bears on keys and the amazing Sax Gordon on, what else, sax. In my opinion Gordon channels the spirit and Chi-town style of early J.T. (Big Boy) Brown’s guttural bleats and squawks that put a big smile on your face.

The recording techniques draw from old-school, sparse mike placement and modern recording equipment that will give you an idea how the masters might sound today. Gut Bucket with Caviar!! Take that and how damn much younger Duke sounds vocally. So strong that I think Michael John discovered a long lost bottle of water from Juan Ponce De Leon’s fountain!!

The songs Duke picks out are mostly ones he heard as a youth, you know, the ones that sent him in his initial gritty musical direction. Most are not songs that have become hits as covers over the years, but ones that deserve re-discovery, like the opening track, Guitar Slim’s “Quicksand,” which immediately gives you the idea of what Low Down and Tore Up promises. Sugar Boy Crawford’s “Overboard,” sung by drummer Mark Teixeira, makes an old chair dancer’s foot tired of tappin’. Next up is Pee Wee Crayton’s “Blues After Hours” to help you calm down. This was a big hit … before I was born … unlike Jimmy McCracklin’s “It’s Alright,” that found me at five years old. My favorite (that I really identify with) is another Sugar Boy Crawford tune, “What’s Wrong.”

Simply put, Duke is a master at every style of guitar and on this one shows his early rough side with youthful abandonment. Put it on and turn it up!

Beardo is a contributing editor at BluesWax. You may comment on this review below.