The Fabulous Thunderbirds

The title is bound to confuse (and possibly annoy) some blues purists. Except for a handful of straight blues numbers – including one of the most heartfelt T-Bone Walker tributes ever in "Duke's Mood" – Duke Robillard Plays Blues: The Rounder Years is mostly a rock-oriented anthology drawn from the post-Roomful of Blues but pre-Fabulous Thunderbirds stage of Robillard's career. No bonus tracks or previously unissued takes – just reissued material culled from four albums released on Rounder between 1983 and 1991. (Note that Robillard's "Rounder Years" also produced some fantastic swing music, but you won't find any of it here since it's been allocated to the sister compilation Duke Robillard Plays Jazz: The Rounder Years.) The '80s were an interesting decade for Robillard, as he took on a more stripped-down, roots rock (but still bluesy) approach with his trio, the Pleasure Kings, and then headed into that contemporary blues-rock zone often associated with the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Ray Fuller, an American guitarist, singer and songwriter who has electrified national audiences with his unique take on root-blues and rock. If you dig the tough-rockin' sound of John Lee Hooker, Paladins, George Thorogood or early Fabulous Thunderbirds, this album is a must! Ray Fuller's talent as a singer and guitarist has allowed him to share the stage with many blues giants including Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, The Fabulous Thunderbirds and so many more….in fact, Muddy Waters, after witnessing an opening act performance by Ray Fuller on slide guitar exclaimed for all to hear "That was some hot slide boy! I could smell the smoke backstage!"

Texas Rhody Blues, featuring Jimmie Vaughan and Duke Robillard, is the third Knickerbocker All-Stars CD release. The project was supported by the Knickerbocker Music Center, a non-profit organization formed in partnership with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School. The Knickerbocker Music Center will have an exciting performance venue and an exceptional center for music education. This CD has its roots in The Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals of the late 1950s and early ‘60s which turned many white soul searchers on to blues, rhythm and blues, and jump blues. In 1963, Blues at Newport was recorded live at the Newport Folk Festival, which featured many of the greatest folk and delta blues musicians.

Not just a great tribute, but one of the best blues releases in years. England's premier blues band, The Hoax, follow up last year's fantastic album, "Big City Blues" with this great 'tribute' to B.B. King. The twin guitars of Jesse Davey and Jon Amor are absolutely on fire throughout the entire set, singer Hugh Coltman's voice has never sounded better, and the rhythm section of Robin Davey on bass & Mark Barrett on drums are rock solid. Complemented by a smokin' horn section and keyboards for this recording, the band really gives the listener the impression that they all really love these songs, and their idol that they pay tribute to with each and every note played. Not only one of the best 'tribute' albums I have ever heard, but one of the finest blues albums I have had the pleasure of listening to in years.

Robillard, both a good blues guitarist and knowledgeable swing player, displays his rocking side on this '88 date. There are flashier solos, more uptempo cuts, and an aggressive, frenetic quality that's missing on Robillard's jazz-oriented releases. Duke Robillard is an award-winning American blues, roots rock, and jazz guitarist. His warm, silvery, vintage sound and clean playing style evoke the entire history of blues, jump R&B, swing, and proto rock & roll. A globally renowned guitarist, Robillard is a singer, songwriter, bandleader, producer, and a first-call session player. A founding member of Roomful of Blues, he cut the roots-rocking Duke Robillard and the Pleasure Kings in 1983. He replaced Jimmie Vaughan in the Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1989 and remained through 1993.

Time Life was founded in 1961 as the book division of Time Inc.. It took its name from Time Inc.'s cornerstone magazines, Time and Life, but remained independent of both. During 1966, Time Life combined its book offerings with music collections (two to five records) and packaged them as a sturdy box set. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the selection of books, music and videos grew and was diversified into more genres. When record labels stopped producing vinyl albums in 1990, Time Life switched to CD only. In the mid-1990s, Time Life acquired Heartland Music, with the Heartland Music label now appearing as a brand. This company was subsequently sold off and is no longer attached to Time Life.