Usually, there's nothing quite so boring as a really flashy guitar solo. To hear some kid--who spent all his time in his bedroom practicing scales when he should have been out meeting girls--race across the fretboard can m... more »ake anyone's eyes glaze over. A few guitarists, however, can play at top speeds and still maintain a groove and still find something to say about life's frustrations. Danny Gatton was one such guitarist. Bobby Radcliff is another. And Radcliff's 1997 album, Live at the Rynborn, showcases one jaw-dropping solo after another. Radcliff is usually pigeonholed as a blues artist, but he owes just as much to the '60s soul and funk of James Brown and P-Funk as he does to the Chicago blues of Magic Sam and Buddy Guy. Because he plays with a trio, Radcliff has to handle both the lead and rhythm duties himself, and he marries the slashing lead lines of Guy with the choppy syncopation of Brown's Jimmy Nolen. The set features Radcliff's regular road trio ripping through one original and nine standards. The leader invents so many variations on Bill Doggett's "Honky Tonk" and a Kool and the Gang medley that the original themes are barely recognizable amid the guitarist's colliding chords and gear-shifting rhythms. D.C. DJ Steve Hoffman wrote the liner notes. --Geoffrey Himes« less
Usually, there's nothing quite so boring as a really flashy guitar solo. To hear some kid--who spent all his time in his bedroom practicing scales when he should have been out meeting girls--race across the fretboard can make anyone's eyes glaze over. A few guitarists, however, can play at top speeds and still maintain a groove and still find something to say about life's frustrations. Danny Gatton was one such guitarist. Bobby Radcliff is another. And Radcliff's 1997 album, Live at the Rynborn, showcases one jaw-dropping solo after another. Radcliff is usually pigeonholed as a blues artist, but he owes just as much to the '60s soul and funk of James Brown and P-Funk as he does to the Chicago blues of Magic Sam and Buddy Guy. Because he plays with a trio, Radcliff has to handle both the lead and rhythm duties himself, and he marries the slashing lead lines of Guy with the choppy syncopation of Brown's Jimmy Nolen. The set features Radcliff's regular road trio ripping through one original and nine standards. The leader invents so many variations on Bill Doggett's "Honky Tonk" and a Kool and the Gang medley that the original themes are barely recognizable amid the guitarist's colliding chords and gear-shifting rhythms. D.C. DJ Steve Hoffman wrote the liner notes. --Geoffrey Himes
"One day I will see Bobby Radcliff live , but until I do , Live At Rynborn will most certainly do. Like it says in the liner notes , this man is INTENSE , he plays the guitar as much as attacks it.
Improvisation on Honky Tonk is a nice start. You hear this song and you know this guy can play. Nice speed and touch , could be two guitars playing , but no its just Bobby.Please Have Mercy is slash and burn guitar at its finest, Bobby sings with the kind of passion the song title implies.Tramp is a Lowell Fulson song that showcases Bobby's skills.Early In the Morning is a classic ,the understated guitar runs slowly build to a manic pace, WOW its an amazing display.He quickly jumps into his own song The Introject an instrumental with an apt title (look it up ).Been Around the World features more stinging guitar work and fervent vocals. I'm not into Kool and the Gang but Bobby can make a Kool and the Gang medley sound Kool. Ten Years Ago is a monster. Perhaps a tribute to Buddy Guy , all I know is its an amazing rip roaring jam that rates with Stevie Ray Vaughan's Texas Flood and Frank Marino Live doing King Bee as the most amazing guitar work I've ever heard. I'm usually too blown away by Ten Years Ago to listen to the closer so I'll make no comment. Live At Rynborn is a must buy for any one who likes the blues played with intensity , skill and passion.You will be blown away, I guarantee it."
THIS MAN IS THE BLUES
HANS D HARMS | runaway bay, QLD Australia | 09/08/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"He not only plays the blues, I bet he lives it every minute of the day. This is manic genius at it's best. No subtlty, just a full out attack on the guitar, that is only tempered on 2 tracks.
The 2 slower tunes however can bring tears to your eyes as they set new standards for the number and the quality of the notes he plays seemingly without effort. His solos are structured to reach crescendos that leave you truely breathless and almost make you break out into spontanous applause in your living room.
Think a mix of ALBERT COLLINS / ROY BUCHANAN on speed and acid and you'd be close. Whatever your style of blues, you simply must have this mans musik. No blues collection could be complete without examples of this mans work. He is unique and brings so much passion to the musik."
An excellent blues masterpiece.
HANS D HARMS | 11/24/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was at The Rynborn when Radcliff recorded this album. It was the best blues show that I have ever been to and the album captures the entire atmosphere of the small town club. The combination of Radcliff's amazing guitar solo's and his top of the line vocals make this album a must for any blues fan. The album truly makes you feel like your Live at The Rynborn."
Live Bobby is the Best Bobby!
Jersey Jim jim@onemoremile.com | California, USA | 03/07/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been a fan of Bobbys for a long time and while I've been a fan of his albums, seeing him in a club is where it's at. This album does him justice. "Live at the Rynborn" is by far his best to date and that's saying a boat load! Great stuff all around!"
Holy smokin' fretboard
outlawguy | 07/24/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"my favorite guitarists are mike bloomfield,roy buchanan,peter green,(just to name a few)and now bobby radcliff fits right into the mix.this guy can play.highly recomended."