On Healing Time, the line Ronnie Earl blurs between jazz and blues gets even blurrier than on his 1997 record, The Colour Of Love. An all-instrumental record of deep passion and virtuosity, Time features song structures th... more »at are loose and laden with thoughtful riffs and solid work from Earl and his players, recalling Carlos Santana's fiery licks and the jazz guitar textures of Wes Montgomery. Their attention to each song's changes and transitions makes for vivid textures and wide-ranging moods, while varying the instrumental focal points of each allows the musicians to reveal the songs' emotional cores. Jumping out of the gate with "Churchin'," the record is given a gospel tinge by Jimmy McGriff's Hammond B-3 that pops up again later on "Blues on a Sunday." Throughout, on songs like "Thembi," with its piano-based breeziness, and "Idle Moments," with Earl's mournful guitar work, it's clear that Earl and his band have worked hard to provide these songs with whatever touch of instrumentation or genre-bending they might need to sound complete. By letting his insightful musicality guide him, and allowing each song to blossom with individuality, Earl creates an endlessly fascinating record that fairly brims with the light of inspiration. --Matthew Cooke« less
On Healing Time, the line Ronnie Earl blurs between jazz and blues gets even blurrier than on his 1997 record, The Colour Of Love. An all-instrumental record of deep passion and virtuosity, Time features song structures that are loose and laden with thoughtful riffs and solid work from Earl and his players, recalling Carlos Santana's fiery licks and the jazz guitar textures of Wes Montgomery. Their attention to each song's changes and transitions makes for vivid textures and wide-ranging moods, while varying the instrumental focal points of each allows the musicians to reveal the songs' emotional cores. Jumping out of the gate with "Churchin'," the record is given a gospel tinge by Jimmy McGriff's Hammond B-3 that pops up again later on "Blues on a Sunday." Throughout, on songs like "Thembi," with its piano-based breeziness, and "Idle Moments," with Earl's mournful guitar work, it's clear that Earl and his band have worked hard to provide these songs with whatever touch of instrumentation or genre-bending they might need to sound complete. By letting his insightful musicality guide him, and allowing each song to blossom with individuality, Earl creates an endlessly fascinating record that fairly brims with the light of inspiration. --Matthew Cooke
"Ronnie Earl's new CD, "Healing Time," is as emotionally satisfying as a recording can get. The moods vary; "Churchin'" is upbeat, "Catfish Blues" is chillingly compelling, "Bella Donna" evokes a sense of mystery. I could go on, but the fact is that Ronnie's recordings always satisfy because it's never a matter of just one or two great tracks on a recording-nearly all the songs on Ronnie's albums are memorable, and "Healing Time" is no exceptiion to that rule.I'm in the fortunate position of having been able to hear Ronnie do most of the songs on this album live, and Ronnie puts his heart and soul into his playing like no one else I've ever seen. Luckily, the passion and intensity of his live playing comes across well on "Healing Time," just as it does on his previous albums. Just listen to his eloquent version of the classic tune "Idle Moments," or to the intense longing of the stunningly beautiful "Glimpses of Serenity," a song which stops me dead in my tracks every time I hear it. Ronnie has saved the best for last, though, with his ecstatic rendition of "Amazing Grace". No wonder Ronnie doesn't use singers-who needs them when a guitar can sing the way Ronnie's does on "Amazing Grace". It simply soars.Renowned Hammond B3 player Jimmy McGriff joins Ronnie on several tracks, and Ronnie's own keyboardist Anthony Geraci more than holds his own on the other tracks. So does Ronnie's long-time friend and colleague, Michael "Mudcat" Ward, with his ever-reliable bass. These guys have played together on and off for many years, and their knowledge of each other's musicianship shows."Healing Time" is Ronnie's first recording on the Telarc label, and his first release in quite some time. I'm sorry we had to wait so long for a new Ronnie Earl CD, but the wait was well worth it."
Reflection Time.
deepbluereview | SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA | 08/04/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Rumours abound that Ronnie Earl is retiring. Apparently, the many years of touring and the demands placed upon him to produce as many CD's as possible have taken its toll on this great musician.Fulfilling his prior contractual obligation he has now signed on with Telarc with the apparent understanding that his touring will be greatly minimalized. The title of this CD is, therefore, appropriately titled as Ronnie enters a period of reflection or healing.The music is, for the most part, soothing, somewhat spiritual, soul searching and smooth jazz flavored, revealing a much more relaxed Earl. Adding to the church like overtones is Jimmy McGriff and his patented B3 on two numbers and the organ like keyboards of Anthony Geraci.Earl does his usual exceptional job on this disc and the interplay between Earl's guitar and the keyboards is outstanding. Being an old Earl fan, my two favorites are Catfish Blues and Lunch at R&M's. Both break the Jazz mold and hint at the type of blues Earl performed in the past and hopefully will play again on future CD's."
Earl Goes Even Farther
RandallLemke@aol.com | Seattle, WA USA | 07/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ronnie Earl has pioneered just how far blues and jazz can be blended into a harmonious contemporary style such that it pleases fans of both genres of music. He goes even further in Healing Time, reaching all the way back to the spiritual roots of the blues, and inflecting his music with both classic and contemporary jazz influences. Just listen to Amazing Grace and try not to be moved and even elated."
Guitar with soul
RandallLemke@aol.com | 07/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like Ronnies cd's "Language of soul" or "Grateful heart" you will love this cd. He's not playing Santana-stylish music like he does on "Colour of love". He's backed by an excellent band, esp. Anthony Geraci (Little Anthony) and Jimmy McGriff (on 2 songs) on Organ (the interplay from Ronnie and the Organists is perfect) and Mudcat Ward on Bass. On the cd Ronnie shows what a wonderful and great guitar player he is, not with endless solis, he shows it with beautiful songs that will touch your soul (esp. the 2:30 Minute long "Amazing Grace")."