Healing Time

Ronnie Earl | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 27, 2000)
• Original Release Date: June 27, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B00004TUP0
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #92,887 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #53 in Music > Indie Music > Blues > Contemporary Blues

Track Listings

1. Churchin'

2. Catfish Blues

3. Idle Moments

4. Thembi

5. Blues For Shawn

6. Glimpes Of Serenity

7. Lunch at R & M's

8. Song For A Brother

9. Bella Donna

10. Blues On A Sunday

11. Amazing Grace

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the Wait, July 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Healing Time (Audio CD)

Ronnie Earl's new CD, "Healing Time," is as emotionally satisfying as a recording can get. The moods vary; "Churchin'" is upbeat, "Catfish Blues" is chillingly compelling, "Bella Donna" evokes a sense of mystery. I could go on, but the fact is that Ronnie's recordings always satisfy because it's never a matter of just one or two great tracks on a recording-nearly all the songs on Ronnie's albums are memorable, and "Healing Time" is no exceptiion to that rule.

I'm in the fortunate position of having been able to hear Ronnie do most of the songs on this album live, and Ronnie puts his heart and soul into his playing like no one else I've ever seen. Luckily, the passion and intensity of his live playing comes across well on "Healing Time," just as it does on his previous albums. Just listen to his eloquent version of the classic tune "Idle Moments," or to the intense longing of the stunningly beautiful "Glimpses of Serenity," a song which stops me dead in my tracks every time I hear it. Ronnie has saved the best for last, though, with his ecstatic rendition of "Amazing Grace". No wonder Ronnie doesn't use singers-who needs them when a guitar can sing the way Ronnie's does on "Amazing Grace". It simply soars.

Renowned Hammond B3 player Jimmy McGriff joins Ronnie on several tracks, and Ronnie's own keyboardist Anthony Geraci more than holds his own on the other tracks. So does Ronnie's long-time friend and colleague, Michael "Mudcat" Ward, with his ever-reliable bass. These guys have played together on and off for many years, and their knowledge of each other's musicianship shows.

"Healing Time" is Ronnie's first recording on the Telarc label, and his first release in quite some time. I'm sorry we had to wait so long for a new Ronnie Earl CD, but the wait was well worth it.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reflection Time., August 4, 2000

By 

deepbluereview "deepbluereview" (SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Healing Time (Audio CD)

Rumours abound that Ronnie Earl is retiring. Apparently, the many years of touring and the demands placed upon him to produce as many CD's as possible have taken its toll on this great musician.

Fulfilling his prior contractual obligation he has now signed on with Telarc with the apparent understanding that his touring will be greatly minimalized. The title of this CD is, therefore, appropriately titled as Ronnie enters a period of reflection or healing.

The music is, for the most part, soothing, somewhat spiritual, soul searching and smooth jazz flavored, revealing a much more relaxed Earl. Adding to the church like overtones is Jimmy McGriff and his patented B3 on two numbers and the organ like keyboards of Anthony Geraci.

Earl does his usual exceptional job on this disc and the interplay between Earl's guitar and the keyboards is outstanding. Being an old Earl fan, my two favorites are Catfish Blues and Lunch at R&M's. Both break the Jazz mold and hint at the type of blues Earl performed in the past and hopefully will play again on future CD's.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Earl Goes Even Farther, July 24, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Healing Time (Audio CD)

Ronnie Earl has pioneered just how far blues and jazz can be blended into a harmonious contemporary style such that it pleases fans of both genres of music. He goes even further in Healing Time, reaching all the way back to the spiritual roots of the blues, and inflecting his music with both classic and contemporary jazz influences. Just listen to Amazing Grace and try not to be moved and even elated.