Li’l Ronnie and the Grand Dukes – Got It ‘Live’ From ‘05
EllerSoul Records
www.ilronnieandthegranddukes.com
11 tracks/54 minutes
Li’l Ronnie is Ronnie Owens, the harp player and front man for The Grand Dukes. This is their 13th release and it’s a live album recorded in 2005 that they put together during the Pandemic from some stuff Jerry Hall had recorded for them at Loafers Beach Club in Raleigh, NC. Hall has since passed and the album is now released on Eller Soul instead of Hall’s old label and it’s a truly fine production of this set of tunes. On top of that, Owens and company preview three new tracks at the end as a bonus; these songs will be featured on an upcoming new album.
The Grand Dukes are, in addition to Owens, George Sheppard on drums, Bryan Smith on bass, Robert Frahm on guitar and John fralin on piano and organ. These guys are all quite talented and give super performances on each cut.
“Mellow Chick” starts the album off and it’s a swinging and jumping blues that gets the blood flowing. Great guitar and harp licks abound and the vocals are spot on. “Bettin’ On My Baby” follows, another swinging cut with stinging guitar and cool harp. Next is “Crossed Eyed Suzie Lee” with more the jumping and jiving good time. Straight up blues is featured next in “Life Changes,” a traditional AAB song that the band nails. Harp, guitar and piano are in the forefront and lay out some cool music.
Slow blues is up next with “Early Monday Morning,” some slick and dirty blues done up right. Harp then guitar give impassioned solos here. They are back to swinging with “Hey Little Girl” featuring a nice instrumental intro and some great guitar and harp work. They get a little Rhumba going for “Love Trance.” “Rock This House” follows and it’s a really super little jump blues with another cool intro. Guitar, harp and dums all get some solo time and Ronnie introduces all the band to the crowd.
The final three tracks are bonus tracks from their upcoming studio album.”V’s Boogie” is a swell instrumental with a cool groove and vibe and some fine piano work. Then “I Need Your Love So Bad” is up, some very solid and soulful slow blues played and sung with emotion. The final cut is “Same Thing Could Happen To You” which features lots of great harp and a swinging beat.
A cool mix of half originals and half covers (two Harmonica Smith tunes and one each from Zuzu Bolin and Jimmy Rogers) makes for some exceptional live music. The three bonus cuts are also great covers that left me wanting to hear their next CD. There’s some inspired playing here and fans of blues and jump blues will all find something here to savor. Most highly recommended!
