Video Premiere: ‘Do You Mean It’ Duke Robillard ft Chris Cote

Photo: Duke Robillard by Pat Quinn

We are excited to premiere the video for “Do You Mean It” by the great Duke Robillard, feat. Chris Cote, from his upcoming album, ‘Blues Bash with Duke Robillard & Friends’ out November 20, 2020 on Stony Plain Records.

Two-time Grammy nominee and five-time winner of the Blues Music Award as “Best Guitarist,” Duke Robillard is a prolific songwriter and is considered a blues guitar master. Defined not only as a great artist but also a true historian, scholar and curator, Robillard is adept at electric and acoustic blues, jazz, jump, swing, ballads and standards.

Duke Robillard says, “I picked ‘Do You Mean It” for the video because I always loved the sound of Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm from the 1950s. Employing my rhythm section and adding Rich Lataille, Greg Piccolo and Doug James gives us that exact sound with the saxophones. By the way, this is the horn section for my original Roomful of Blues in the 70s, so it’s a bit of a reunion of sorts. I also picked this tune because it features my guitar and Chris Cote’s powerful vocal.”

And what a fun, rhythmic tune “Do You Mean It” really is with plenty of bright sounding guitar by Robillard, in addition to a tremendous guitar solo. The vocals by Cote are powerful, a perfect fit. With the acclaimed horn section, this is a great listening and dancing song, just like the other tracks on the upcoming album, Blues Bash with Duke Robillard & Friends.

We can all use a feel-good tune right now, performed with such outstanding musicianship. A delight.

Duke admitted that his concept for Blues Bash was to make a straight vintage-style blues album with rhythmic grooves and no hook-laden songs. As always with Robillard, the music is impeccable, top-tier and powerful. With compelling vocalist Chris Cote, two stellar horn sections, searing guitar and organ, and boogie woogie piano, this song is about the groove. Duke is in his element here, displaying his authority, versatility, passion and virtuosity.

You can not only see it in the video but feel it in the song that Robillard, Cote and the rest of the band have a real love for swinging, jazz-infused blues.

Watch “Do You Mean It”

Since Duke Robillard founded and fronted the outstanding band Roomful of Blues, he has been at the forefront of blues, swing and classic R&B/Jump Blues for over 50 years, earning him his legendary status while influencing and inspiring countless musicians and fans worldwide. Leading his own group, Duke has toured non-stop for the past 40-some years, recording more than 30 critically acclaimed CDs under his own name. He has toured as a guitarist with Tom Waits and the Fabulous Thunderbirds and recorded with the likes of Bob Dylan, Ruth Brown, Jay McShann, Pinetop Perkins, Kim Wilson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Rosco Gordon, Maria Muldaur and many more.

It’s no wonder The New York Times said, “Robillard is a soloist of stunning force and originality.”