Customer Reviews

The Three Kings

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Finally, Jeff Golub gets to show his true colors! Golub has made some really fine smooth jazz records over the years, but anyone who's ever seen him live knows his true roots are firmly planted in the blues. This collaboration with pianist/vocalist Henry Butler is an amazing display of Golub's real chops and Butler's New Orleans rooted piano work. Golub's last album, Blues For You, took a step in this direction, but The Three Kings takes us all the way. This is the real deal, don't miss it!!

It is great to hear more of Jeff Golub's Blues - oriented songs ( starting with his previous release , 'Blues For You ') , and amazing guitar playing ! This is music for lovers of edgy , soulful , melodic Blues -based Rock ( w / some hints of Jazz ). Henry Butler's vocals , coupled with Golub's playing make for an amazing tribute to Albert , Freddie, & B.B. ( 'The Three Kings' ) !! Robben Ford , and Sonny Landreth also contribute smokin' guitar , along with some hot horn arrangements / playing from JG's longtime bandmates . These guys sound like a well- travelled band , one that is tight -and 'in the pocket'. Jeff Golub would fit right in with 'The Warren Haynes Band ,' and 'Tedeschi -Trucks '. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!!

I only knew guitarist from his "smooth jazz" albums and - not being a big fan of SJ - I was ready to pass on this release. But I saw Henry Butler's name as "guest" so I thought I'd give it a shot. I put the CD - a tribute to the three best known blues guitarists who share the last name King - and the first track "Let The Good Times Roll" began. There was a guitar that I though was B.B.'s - but was, in fact, Golub doing a great job - and Butler's raw vocals. I thought I was in for a great ride. Unlike all the other reviews I see posted here - except for the one from the person who liked Golub's smooth jazz material and hadn't realized Golub changed his music style to electric blues - I found that the ride was a bit bumpier than I wanted.

Golub's guitar licks are right on this collection, which includes the big hits by each of the "kings" plus two new comps by Golub and the title track by Butler. And Butler's piano work and vocals (on five of the 13 tracks) are great! It's when the younger band members take on the vocals that the album drops a notch (and a star). Drummer Josh Dion is fine on the skins but IMHO was not a good choice to sing the three numbers he gets to do vocals on. (These should have been given to Butler, who has the age and roughness to his voice.)

An interesting track is the final one. B.B. King's anthem "The Thrill is Gone". It's done solely as an instrumental with not a vocal in sight. It work's. It's just a bit "different".

There are guest instrumentals by Sonny Landreth and Robben Ford on one track each, though they didn't add much for me.

So, I like this CD; I just don't "love" it. It'll be interesting to see what Golub does on his next album, now that he's covered the biggest guitar blues legends. Knowing he's left "smooth jazz" I'll probably seek out that one too.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

I purchased this after listening to the previews, Amazon delivered in their usually timely fashion, and I was just blown away by it. It is Electric Blues Guitar at its finest, many of the riffs reminding me of the great B.B.King (when I saw him long ago). The passion is there. This is one great musical treat.
After a couple of days and several listens, I can perhaps put my original "off the cuff" comments in a more proper context. The Music lost nothing in further play, but I finally read the liner notes, and, to quote Jeff Golub "No one else has had as much influence on as many generations of guitar players as these three guys. This is our humble tribute to B.B., Albert & Freddie - THE THREE KINGS." Guys, I think you did them proud.

This CD is just simply wonderful.......
Guitar and keyboards are exceptional....
A great CD to get lost in !!!!!!!

"The Three Kings" CD is very satifying. Since I liked Jeff's previous CD, I picked this one up and expected it to be on a similar plane, but it's actually a more mature CD with a well rounded balance of tunes with a driving blues flavor. Jeff's blues solos are great which, by themselves, would make this a successful CD, but his supporting bandsmen also do a great job on all thirteen tracks. The producers also didn't forget to give this CD a very good sound quality and some brief, but informative liner notes.

This is a great album that I can't stop playing. I saw Jeff in person once and the show had a strong blues feel. He is definitely a blues guy at heart. A sad note however, the day I got this CD in the mail I read that Jeff had lost his eysight due to a collapsed optic nerve

Having first heard Jeff as a solo artist in the 90s, I have followed his career and music ever since. I love his musical voice and his LIVE sets never fail to deliver!!! I am happy for this departure from what some call smooth/contemporary jazz. Anyone who has heard him LIVE sensed a huge passion in "BLUES." I always wondered if he might do a project like this and for a music lover (in contrast to a genre fan) you will be impressed.

On this project, Jeff has taken many classics and put his own twist to each track. In live shows, Jeff has always pronounced his admiration for any KING who played the blues and here he pays tribute to all the famous ones (as other reviews have noted). If you want a great listen outside your comfort zone(since most reading this are likely C-Jazz fans) then this is a SURE THING!!!

I have long been a Golub fan, but as the smooth jazz genre hss weakened, Jeff has abandoned it - in spades. The rock-based jazz flavor of almost all previous albums is no more. If you are a true fan of pure blues, a consistent but not dominant element in Golub's work, then this and his previous release may be welcome, but if you continue to embrace smooth jazz, this release, with its harsh blues vocals, fails to deliver.