It is always a pleasure to see a master of the blues like Duke Robillard play.
Robillard, who founded Roomful of Blues as well as was part of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, gave approximately 90 people at the Geomatic Attic a big, bluesy treat, Aug. 8.
“I always love playing smaller rooms,” he observed, before “warming up” with a hot jazzy instrumental. He was backed by a crack band, who kept step with the many facets of Duke Robillard.
The talented organist/ keyboardist nodded politely after the enraptured audience applauded every one of his tasty solos. But his lines weaved in and out of every slinky bassline.
Robillard played his guitar with a solid B.B. King feel and taste, but showed he has a lot of jazz in his blood too through a set which included a lot of stories and songs from most of his past few CDs, but focusing on the latest “Passport to the Blues” including highlights like “Rhode Island Red Rooster,” a unique take on the blues staple. He also showed his wry sense of humour, not to mention awareness of aging songs like “Hong Kong Suit,” and (You’re Just About As Welcome As A ) Fatal Heart Attack.”
He also played a couple tracks from his upcoming new CD for Stony Plain Records.
He ended his first set with a witty take on divorce called “Buy Me A Dog,” from his 2002 CD “Living With The Blues.”
In the second set, he switched guitars to to a beautifully battered old Les Paul with a catchy instrumental “Do The Memphis Grind.”
He put his own stamp on Tom Waits’ “Make It Rain”, almost nailing Wait’s gravelly growl. His tribute to T Bone Walker “ Blue Coat Man,” was a highlight of the second set as was “ I Might be Ugly but I sure can cook”
He wound down his show with a song dedicated to “my favourite fabric” and launched into the sultry “Fishnet,” which drew massive rounds of applause which brought him back on stage for an encore of “Bury Me In My Hong Kong Suit.”
