Living in the Light

Ronnie Earl | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 2, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Stony Plain Music
• ASIN: B0026UZFL6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,982 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Love Love Love

2. S.O.S

3. Take A Little Walk With Me

4. River Charles Blues

5. What Can I Do For You

6. Recovery Blues

7. Blues for Fathead

8. Child of a Survivor

9. Blues for the South Side

10. Ain't Nobody s Business

11. Donna Lee

12. Pastorale

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Shades Of Ronnie, June 8, 2009

By 

Jonathan Browne (London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Living in the Light (Audio CD)

In my view the greatest living blues guitarist, Ronnie Earl combines flawless technique, a style informed by players past and present (including two of my own lifelong heroes Otis Rush and Peter Green) but derivative of none, and a tone so clean it would in the hands of lesser musicians serve only to expose their limitations.

The most crucial aspect of Ronnie Earl's playing,though, is the justifiably well-documented sheer emotion in his playing, which is capable equally of lighting fires on a par with Buddy Guy and evoking the warmth and spirituality of the man himself. Ronnie is especially adept at what I call "tension and release" blues, opening a track in spectacular fashion with blistering riffs and runs, building to a crescendo and then cooling right down to quiet, sweet single notes.

His music encompasses blues, jazz and gospel, sometimes during the same track and always to stunning effect. I start listening to any of Ronnie's albums and for that hour nothing else in the world matters. My wife would happily attest to that.

For the above reasons, then, the arrival of a new Ronnie Earl release is a major event in the Browne household, and believe me "Living In The Light" is just that.

I won't go through a track-by-track analysis but let's just say that in the space of one album you are floored by the most fiery Chicago Blues imaginable including a belated companion piece to the classic "Blues From The Westside" (from the "Still River" album), you smile at and shuffle your feet to Ronnie's patented brand of lively guitar-and-Hammond fuelled jazz-blues, you're taken down to the Delta with acoustic blues, uplifted (and I speak as an agnostic) by a beautiful Bob Dylan gospel cover including a choir, and soothed by the most serene Sunday morning blues you'll ever hear.

Then there is the centrepiece of the album, which I will mention by name. "Child Of A Survivor" serves both as Ronnie's tribute to victims of the Holocaust, which included members of his own family, and a very timely reminder that we must never forget what humans are capable of doing to each other, This heartbreaking sentiment is expressed through the unusual but incredibly effective, and entirely appropriate, medium of a slow, brooding blues featuring a heartfelt vocal from Kim Wilson.

If you've not had the pleasure - I'd even say privilege - of hearing Ronnie Earl before, this album will serve as the best possible introduction to a man with a matchless body of work.

If like me, though, you're already a devotee of the man's work, you won't be surprised to learn that Ronnie has produced yet another truly wonderful album.

Whichever group you belong to, the world around you had better be prepared not to matter for a while.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing evolution, June 3, 2009

By 

Wayne Arnzen (Grand Marais, Mn USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Living in the Light (Audio CD)

Ronnie Earl and the wonderfully talented Broadcasters have taken another step towards music felt as love. The depth of emotionality conveyed here is very rare and makes this release a timeless treasure. Ronnies great clean tone set against the keys and rhythm is unparalled so when you add the power of Kim Wilson magic happens. The production is clear yet warm and the lyrics again go to healing and recovery. The power of this band continues to spiral upward and is worth hundred of listens.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dave Keller shines on this recording!, July 14, 2009

By 

Rachael Rice (Montpelier, VT USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Living in the Light (Audio CD)

Vermont-based original blues and soul artist Dave Keller lends his talent and time to two tracks on this outstanding effort by Ronnie Earl, including the opening track "Love, Love, Love." This music is a testament and pledge to the transcendent power of soul music, regardless of race or creed, while being deeply rooted in the traditions of all the powerhouses from Stax to Stevie that paved the way for the praises sung by Ronnie and Dave here.

An essential addition to anyone that collects authentic blues and soul.