After Roomful of Blues, of which he was a founding member in 1967, after his stay in the Fabulous Thunderbirds from 1990 to 1992 as Jimmie Vaughan’s successor, Michael John “Duke” Robillard, then under contract with the Virgin label for his rock n’ blues side à la Thunderbirds, was welcomed to the Canadian label Stony Plain. The goal was to give him the opportunity to release an integral blues album, “a straight ahead blues record,” in the words of Holger Petersen. The latter, the driving force behind this jewel of Canadian blues, told me in 1997 that he had seen Duke “live” for the first time at the Winnipeg Folk Festival in 1993. The latter’s performance at this event was focused more on interpreting blues from different artists and styles with elaborate solos and elongated versions, rather than on his original material. According to Petersen, this performance also highlighted Robillard’s vast knowledge and proven mastery of a wide range of approaches to the electric blues guitar. He brilliantly reproduced, he said, the essence of this music, while adding his personal touch. From this summit meeting, the result was, in 1994, the release of the fabulous album Duke’s Blues by The Duke Robillard Band, which marked the beginning of a fruitful 30-year collaboration between the Rhode Island native and Stony Plain Records. He performed under his own name, in the company of quality musicians and also as an accompanist and producer for great names in blues and jazz, such as Jay McShann, Jimmy Witherspoon, Herb Ellis, etc. On the cover of his most recent album, Roll With Me, Mr. Robillard mentions that the moment for his final album with Stony Plain has come: “Finally, after two decades and dozens of recordings, we got to the place where it was time for my final Stony Plain record” For the occasion, he took nine selections from a record project that had been on hold since 2005, refining it and adding three tracks. 

The result is a well-balanced and integrated album of eight covers and four originals, all delivered with good taste and freshness. Among the artists he covers and performs on this quality project, let’s salute the diverse choices including Eddie Boyd, Fats Domino, Big Joe Turner, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon/Howlin’ Wolf for his version of “Built For Comfort”, and, the list goes on… As usual, he performs in a variety of styles played at different tempos. Blues, boogie, swing, jump, ballad, New Orleans style are showcased. Robillard, author, composer, singer, guitarist and producer, always surrounded by excellent musicians, made the heyday of Stony Plain. He has also contributed on other labels to the great pleasure and delight of several blues and jazz artists, as well as a large number of passionate fans. We will notice on this album the remarkable presence of Chris Cote as lead singer on two excellent tracks, “Look What You’ve Done” and “You Got Money”. For my part, I particularly appreciated tracks like “Blue Coat Man”, the swing opening track, “Just Kiss Me” and “Give Me Back My Money”, Robillard’s slow blues where he particularly excels in solos with subtle inflections, the frenzied instrumental “Boogie Uproar”, as well as “Boogie Woogie Country Girl” well supported by his “good rockin’ band” with a playful piano and brass as dynamic as they are precise. All the musicians selected for this project are excellent, nothing less and their synergy works magic. Happy listening to you, appreciating a diversified electric blues, played with a master’s hand and sung with know-how! Good luck to Duke Robillard and his musicians on their paths of discovery, creativity, sharing and feeling! (Pierre Jobin)