Bob Gulla, Providence Phoenix, Jan.7, 2005
...tasty blues-based treat, with Robillard and Jerry Portnoy...has Basiles ample heart and soul at its core.
Product Description
Al Basile's fourth solo CD, "Blue Ink" features thirteen of my blues songs, with Duke Robillard and his band providing backup. Also featured on harp is Jerry Portnoy, formerly Muddy Waters' harp player (who was fresh from recording "Me&Mr. Johnson" with Eric Clapton at the time). The songs range from acoustic to electric, in classic blues styles from Muddy Waters to Freddy King to New Orleans rhumbas to Sonny Boy Williamson I to swamp blues/funk - a broad range. Robillard and Portnoy are the featured soloists along with Basile's vocals, and the songs all feature Basile's carefully crafted lyric writing.