Customer Reviews

Healing Time

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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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.

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.

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.

I had the pleasure of seeing Ronnie Earl play here on his Boston area home turf last Spring. It was a revelation..especially for someone who remembers his old "Roomful of Blues" days. This album captures his current direction well. It's not the blues as the old-guard would play it; it's something else entirely, a soaring display of technical skill and musical talent that is quite rare indeed. Great music.

If you like Ronnies cd's "Language of soul" or "Grateful heart" you will love this cd. He's not playing Santana-stylish music like he does on "Colour of love". He's backed by an excellent band, esp. Anthony Geraci (Little Anthony) and Jimmy McGriff (on 2 songs) on Organ (the interplay from Ronnie and the Organists is perfect) and Mudcat Ward on Bass. On the cd Ronnie shows what a wonderful and great guitar player he is, not with endless solis, he shows it with beautiful songs that will touch your soul (esp. the 2:30 Minute long "Amazing Grace").

Not being much of a blues man, I had never heard of Ronnie Earl. This album has quickly become one of my favorites. It is a soulful mix of blues, jazz and rock that anyone will enjoy. The album comes at you hard with the first track "Churchin" and then soulfully but not boringly mellows out. Earl's work on the slower tracks is absolutely searing in intensity. I love this one!

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.

I PURCHASED RONNIE EARL'S LATEST RELEASE WITH GREAT ENTHUSIASM AS I CONSIDER HIM TO BE ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED BLUES GUITARIST'S PERFORMING TODAY. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO HIS MUSIC FOR MORE THAN A DECADE. I COUNTED MY RONNIE EARL CD'S AND HAVE 14. RONNIE HAS GOTTEN JAZZIER/MELLOWER ON THIS RELEASE BUT HIS KNOWLEDGE OF HIS INSTRUMENT AND HIS PLAYING TECHNIQUE INDICATE THAT HERE IS A MAN DEDICATED TO HIS CRAFT. I HAVE OTHER FAVORITE RECORDINGS BY RONNIE EARL AND THIS WILL BECOME ANOTHER ONE. I HAVE NEVER GOTTEN GOOSE BUMPS WHILE LISTENING TO A GUITAR SOLO BUT ON THIS RECORDING THE ELOQUENCE OF RONNIE'S GUITAR ON "SONG FOR A BROTHER", "THEMBI", "CHURCHIN" TOUCH MY SOUL AS ONLY RONNIE IS CAPABLE OF. THERE REALLY IS NOT A BAD TRACK ON THIS CD. IT TAKES YOU THROUGH VARIOUS MOODS AND KEEPS YOU WANTING MORE. IF YOU WANT TO REALLY ENJOY AN ARTIST AT HIS BEST AND EXCEPTIONAL GUITAR PLAYING, THIS IS FOR YOU."HEALING TIME"( YES, IT WORKED FOR ME).

Ronnie Earl seems to possess a trait rarely to be found among blues guitarists these days--taste. This all-instrumental session does not try to impress with pyrotechnics; rather, it impresses with mature musical expression. At first listen, the music can even sound faceless and boring, but the more you listen, the more you will pick up on and be impressed by the quiet intensity that Earl brings to this session.

Does anyone remember Pharaoh Sanders's "Thembi?" It was a breath of peaceful fresh air back in the turbulent '70s. Ronnie Earl resurrects it as a guitar tune. Very nice! There are some other real treats here, especially his "Blues for Shawn." By the time the session closes with "Amazing Grace," the listener will indeed feel as though he or she has been touched by a spirit with the power to heal. With clean sound produced by Joe Harley and engineered by Neal Ward, this is a most impressive recording that should find favor with blues and jazz fans alike.

If you want to hear more jazz inflected blues, buy this CD. Otherwise, get his early stuff. Ronnies' playing is always great, but don't expect to hear "hard blues", this is the softer stuff. If you like the Freddie King meets T-Bone Walker sound of his earlier work, stay there, but if you like to branch out to jazz, I would adise you to get this fine C.D.