Customer Reviews

Swing

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

 

 

Duke put this album together right about the time he was playing with Roomful of Blues. I've had this CD since the early 90's and still listen to it at least once a week. It is the best swing guitar album I've found, (even though Django fans may disagree). Duke has a sweet funky soulfullness that comes through on almost every track. If you like blues, swing or straight-ahead jazz, this CD should occupy a prominent place in your collection. If I could only have 20 CD's to listen to for the rest of my life, this would be one.

Robillard is best known for his seemingly unlimited stock of blues, rock and R&B chops that can be heard on much of his other work. This aptly-named project -- all of the selections are either swing standards or originals which fit the mode well -- showcases yet another facet of the guitarist's talent. And to this listener's ears, his work on "Swing" is the most natural and heartfelt work in Robillard's extensive discography. No contrived, pre-planned solos here. Those familiar with his work can expect something different on this CD, but clearly this is a labor of love and not just a jazz experiment.

When Duke played jazz on Rounder he chose Scott Hamilton's swinging ensemble to back him up, with good reason. I was following that group at the time. Hamilton swings mightily. Hamilton's group had the wonderful John Bunch on the piano who didn't make into these recordings. But Hamilton did bring a terrific and tasty guitar player named Chris Flory, and a bassist who was burning brightly at that time named Phil Flannigan. And Duke's playing and singing well deserves this good company. Not only are his chops more than adequate to play this music, he has a swinging feeling that not only recalls Charlie Christian, but would have made him a welcome addition to Benny Goodman's "chamber jazz" sessions if they had been contemporaries. The heratage is here: Scott played with King of Swing in the 70s and Duke has recorded with Goodman sax man Flip Phillips and Herb Ellis of the Oscar Peterson Trio. In short, if you like real swing and real jazz that feels good, but is also blusey and not too sweet, you can't go wrong here. When I was booking acts in a small club on the lower east side of NY I scored Chris Flory for a couple of nights. I complimented him on the sessions. He told me it was great to work with Duke and it paid well. He asked me to write Duke and tell him to do some more. We can only hope he does.