Customer Reviews

Ronnie Earl and The Broadcasters: Blues Guitar Virtuoso Live in Europe

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Twice I have seen Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters live in small clubs, within flicking distance of his beads of sweat. After the first time, I walked out of the club shaking my head, mumbling, "Why isn't this guy famous?" I still don't know the answer, but hopefully this disc will continue to help him along in that direction. If you hear Ronnie talk in person, you can't help but get the impression that he is the most humble and sincere guitar wizard out there.

Blues Guitar Virtuoso Live In Europe does an excellent job of representing Ronnie and the gang's live act, simmering, sizzling, smoking, and burning their way through a set of mostly original compositions. Bruce Katz's B3 organ is the perfect counterpoint to Ronnie's stellar picking, most notably on the cover of Bobby Timmons' classic "Moanin'." and Earl's own "Serezen".

While it's a fantastic performance overall, the recording is not without flaws. First, the audio volume level varies from track to track, such that if the playback volume is adjusted for the louder tracks, you'll strain to hear the quieter ones. So I end up ping-ponging back and forth on the volume. Second, during the quieter passages, an annoying electronic hum is audible. I believe this is coming from Ronnie's guitar amp. (The same hum is also audible in a couple of tracks on his studio album Still River.) And lastly, clocking in at nearly 15 minutes, the closing track "Rego Park Blues" is too long and ambling for my listening pleasure away from the concert environment.

I would give this one four and half stars if I could, but since the review system won't let me, I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt and bumping it up to five. Keep the faith, Ronnie!

I don't think that Mr. Ronnie Earl needs any kind of introduction to any serious blues fan. He is one of the best (if not the best from my point of view) living "white" blues guitarists around. His amazing technique and the mastery with which he is able to build up a guitar solo from a quite start to the maximum of its intensity are second to none. I sow him playing several time and this live performance recorded in Europe is a very good example of what he is effortless able to do live on stage. Baked by his regular band Ronnie is in a dazzling shape and his performance is sublime throughout the entire concert. The rhythm section is solid and precise as usual and Bruce Kats does a marvellous job with his B3. As all his most recent albums this CD is totally instrumental however much more blues oriented than his previous studio ones. Tunes like "San-Ho-Zay", "Blues for the West Side" are solid Chicago electric "West Side" blues and "Rego Park Blues" worth by itself the price of the entire CD. The influence of great masters like Magic Sam and Otis Rush, a bit of T-Bone Walker skilfully mixed with a hint of Wes Montgomery are, from my point of view, pretty evident, however his stile remain very personal and unique in the today blues scene. A great album that should be present in any serious blues CDs collection. Five stars (I would rate it six but...)

This cat just burns. His solos are not just copies of someone he heard back in the day, but real, feeling-laden creations that make you sweat. On "Thank you Mr. T-Bone", he emulates the single-string runs and pumping chords of The Man Himself, T-Bone Walker. No one has ever come close to this kind of mastery, not even Eric, Stevie Ray or Jimi.

Buy this CD. Buy it again! Buy it still again!!

I heard one of Ronnie Earl's cuts on a web radio station. I liked it so much I took a chance on an album - came out a winner. A local ice cream shoop has three choices: "I Like It", "I Love It", and "I Gotta Have It." Blues Guitar Virtuoso is definitely "I Gotta Have It". Too, it makes great music when I work out at the Healthy Living Center. Highly recommend this if you love blues/jazz guitar.

Every now and then, a really good blues guitarist finally gets it into his head to just shut up and play. Ronnie's guitar work is rip-your-hair-off incredible in this album, and I'm tempted to buy a second copy, because I know I'm going to wear this first one out. Earl's sense of the blues obviously comes from a lifetime of listening to his mentors and perfecting a clean, punch through style of his own. He never gets lost, never misses a lick, and it's the kind of music that's going to stay in your head long after you've heard it.

Great blues guitar with B3 trading licks. Clean, sweet,and tasteful guitar tones. Check out the rest of his albums, all have the blue tones that guitar players will love. No heavy distortion here.

Ronnie Earl really sizzles on this album, and if you didn't know who was playing when you first heard this (as I did not) you would think he's about the best axeman since guys like T-Bone, Buddy or Magic Sam came along as I do). It is actually more fun to just kick back and listen to his acrobatic playing than it is to even hear somebody try to sing and play the blues at the same time. Derek Trucks is my man, and definitely an emerging force in modern blues but I don't think he or even Buddy let alone anyone else can play guitar like what you're getting here.

Not a bad moment on this, let alone a bad cut. Saw him at a blues fest and he stole it in my book. Taste and tone is the core of blues and Ronnie nails it. I'm alright with vocals, but when a guy like this is cuttin it up, who needs them? His band is impeccable, that B-3 sounds so good against and with his licks..First class all the way..We had this at the station, I could have taped it but had to have it on the disc..Going to see if you can wear one of these out..His liner notes reveal a deep respect for the mentors that came before and rightly so..Keep on, Rommie and get back to the west coast one more time !

WOW,, I know this is an older recording but I love it. If you like live electric blues you won't be disappointed..

I recently bought this for $5.00 used. I am afraid I feel like I stole something from the shop steward. This disc is amazing from start to finish. A mix of blues, stunning solos, jazzy tunes. It's crisp, clean and Ronnie Earl at his very best. No one who has reviewed this has come away with anything but glowing kudos; 12 sensational offerings, one better than the next. How could this end up for $5.00? It's worth four times that much.