Search - Ronnie Earl :: Grateful Heart: Blues & Ballads

No noodling. Just classic Earl.

Tom Timmermans | Belgium, Europe | 11/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I tell ya... The guy from Amazon who wrote the piece about this album needs to get his ears cleaned out!I have yet to hear an Earl tune where he's "just noodling". Yes, this album is a jazz-blues crossover, but it's a good one. His duets here with David "Fathead" Newman are just fabulous. Some of them sensual and smooth, some of them burning like a hot skillet!Overall the pace of the album is slow to mid-tempo, but then again the title is Ballads & Blues, so no surprises here.Obviously the two main genres tackled here are blues & jazz, but there are plenty of other influences present here ranging from gospel to latin.People who want to hear straight blues from Mr Earl should look at his latest "Feel Like Going On" which is also great.I feel the music on Blues & Ballads feels a bit like a bluesier version of Kenny Burrell.If you like your blues on the jazzy side (think vintage port instead of Jack Daniels) this album's a damn fine choice."

Music to soothe the Soul and enlighten your ears...

Greg Randolph | Johnson City, Tennessee United States | 12/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the best and most important album by Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters. I say this because it is the first album that truly moves his music into the jazz genre'. Earl's playing is melodically beautiful, well improvised although structured in the end. The B-3 sound melded with David"Fathead" Newman's tenor saxophone takes you on a journey into spirituality. If this album doesn't chase away the blues, there may be no hope for you... Make this cd a must have. My highest recommendation. Also check out "Colour of Love", Earl's follow-up to this disc and Blue Note records debut."

Life affirming

julian38 | 07/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album represents a wonderful blending of blues and jazz, with superb musicianship and a great production. Mellow, moody, and moving, Earl is the star but he allows plenty of space for sax and keyboards to take center stage in turn. This is an album of instrumentals, and as the title suggests, it has a relaxed atmosphere that demands deep engagement with the listener. When I play this cd I just get drawn in and find myself grooving silently with it. I play guitar so I really love listening to Earl's delicate touch, but this is not an album for muso's where competence replaces emotion. In fact it is the exact opposite - being soulful and engaging. I find that everyone I play this album to has the same reaction -- 'what is that? - it's beautiful' -especially people who think they do not like jazz. As an earlier reviewer said, I also give this a gift to people - as Earl seems to have given us this music as a reminder of how special life can be, and it seems appropriate to pass this on. Earl has been though some tough times with addiction and this album represents a cleansing and a new found appreciation for life. If ever music could communicate such feelings, I think this album does. Treat yourself to a reminder of what music can do for us - this is special."