Exalted Lover

Duke Robillard

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 23, 2003)
• Original Release Date: September 23, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Stony Plain Music
• ASIN: B0000ARLGR
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #380,525 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Duke Robillard’s won a reputation as one of finest guitarists in blues, but this disc also displays his command of rock ‘n’ roll, country, and jazz balladry. The latter drives his duet with country star Pam Tillis, "I’ll Never Be Free," which plays off their easy vocal interplay, Robillard’s classic picking, and his band’s swinging drive. It’s also a pleasure to hear him singing and slinging guitars with blueswoman Debbie Davies on the chugging shuffle "How Long Has It Been." But the best moments may be Robillard’s incendiary solos, like when he uncorks his Stratocaster in the middle of "Deep Inside," matching his lyrics’ cry of aching devotion with a hailstorm of quivering bent notes and brightly snapped strings in sharp, stinging phrases. Three songs later he’s playing in a twang and tremolo style like a Texas roadhouse veteran. In any context, what comes from Robillard’s nimble fingers and open mind is the sound of a master at work. --Ted Drozdowski

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Duke's trying something new, again-give him a break or a try, September 4, 2004

By	40+yrslistening&still_learning "beacriticnotafan" (Colorado) - See all my reviews

For Duke fans, such as certain of the preceding reviewers, satisfaction with Exalted Lover may be challenging based on how far he has deviated this time from their expectations. Duke has always been into variety, but this time he goes a few places his fans may not expect. The fact is, he has a long and illustrious career and has played so many excellent guitar moments (and in such a variety of styles) that he probably needs a break from being "Mr. Guitar." In any case, this leaves him trying to carry more weight with his singing, which is his lesser strength. So, 1 star off for limited guitar work, 1 star off for too much reliance on his respectable-but-not-award-winning singing, 1 star off for including a bit of country music (every critic has his prejudice), but 1 star back for stretching stylistically to prevent stagnation.

So you just need to hear more Duke on guitar? Then try any of the other 15 or so albums of Duke's that are available, all of which are drenched with marvelous guitar work. If you like any of his work, then you know he's pretty timeless, so an older album that's new to you may be more satisfying than a new release that's not your stylistic preference. If you already have all his albums, then you know he's earned your respect whether this release suits your taste or not.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars lots of guitar, October 25, 2003

By	"brammyz" (Rhode Island, USA) - See all my reviews

I have to disagree with the first reviewer. There's alot of guitar in this CD. The difference may be that it's not all the stinging blues guitar that we're used to. Here Duke shows his guitar skills in many other styles. The guitar synth in Exalted Lover probably has many people thinking there's someone on trumpet. And I love the country licks in Love's Made a Liar. Not to mention some great rockin' riffs in Live Wire. And the guitar war with Debbie Davies. Oh, there's plenty of guitar! And the added bonus is that the songs themselves are great. AND terrific vocals - I love the duet with Pam Tillis - very smooth.I just happen to agree with the Amazon reviewer - Duke is the Master!

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, October 9, 2003

By A Customer

Before, I get started; I own just about every album by this guy including the Fabulous T-Birds, Roomful of Blues stuff. I have seen him live. It's all good; except this album is a disappointment. He is a Guitar Player. Right? But it is not until track 5 that we actually get to hear a guitar solo! Maybe I have got it wrong but a Guitar Player is supposed to PLAY. Look I am not after dreary 10-minute long solos but the playing here is just not we have seen before from the Duke and not up to the quality that we have heard before. Try his earlier stuff over the last couple of years. But this is a disappointment.