Ronnie Earl
By Mike O’Cull
Ronnie Earl’s 45-year career as one of the most loved and respected guitarists in the blues world rolls ever onward with the release of his new album Mercy Me. The set comes out April 15th, 2022 on the Stony Plain Records imprint and features Earl backed once again by his band The Broadcasters and some choice special guests.
Mercy Me is Earl’s 28th record thus far and includes 12 songs that range from his originals and tasty covers from greats like Muddy Waters, John Coltrane, Dave Mason and Percy Mayfield. Earl, a four-time Blues Music Award winner, self-produced the sessions, which were recorded and mixed by Huck Bennert and mastered at Sound Mirror Studio by Mark Donahue.
As a guitarist, Ronnie is known for his tasty, minimalist licks, pedal-free tone, and his sense of intention, which makes every note he plays meaningful. Even the name of the new record ties into these ideas. “I titled the album Mercy Me as I was thinking about all the things going on in the world,” Earl said about his inspiration. “We need to have more mercy for the world, for other people and for ourselves.” The mix of these qualities make Earl a beautiful, emotive player with a sound and style that emanates directly from his soul.
The new album puts him in front of his current lineup of Dave Limina on piano and Hammond B3, Diane Blue on vocals, Forrest Padgett on drums, and Paul Kochanski on electric and upright bass. Guest spots by heavyweights Anthony Geraci on piano, Mark Earley on baritone sax, Mario Perrett on tenor sax, Peter Ward on guitar, and Tess Ferraiolo on vocals complete the studio band and conspire to launch one sweet track after another.
Earl starts his party with the jumping shuffle of Muddy Waters’ “Blow Wind Blow.” It’s everything a blues song from the old days should be and Ronnie and his friends rub it just right. Earl’s playing is cool and lowdown, never using three notes when one will do, and Anthony Geraci’s piano work is just plain fun to hear. Diane Blue runs things on the vocal mic and, for a few minutes, all’s right with the world.
The whole program then takes an immediate and drastic shift in tone into Earl’s interpretation of John Coltrane’s haunting “Alabama.” Just as on Coltrane’s 1963 recording, the composition is an anguished, abstract lament of the racism some Americans have endured then and now. It’s deep emotional water, for sure, but will also lead some listeners to a more internalized understanding of their fellow humans. Putting this one on the record is a major display of artistic confidence and the necessity of speaking out. Bravo, Mr. Earl.
“Blues For Ruthie Foster” and “Blues For Duke Robillard” are Earl’s personal celebrations of other musicians who contribute peace and mercy to our troubled world. Ruthie’s tune is a chill acoustic blues with a back-porch feel done by Ronnie and guitarist/longtime friend Peter Ward. It’s a wonderfully loose moment that defines itself as it goes along. Robillard’s song is a sublime slow blues with the band that features Earl playing the kind of unhurried, spirit-filled guitar lines that have built his legend. He makes no attempt to imitate either artist but sends these tracks out as expressions of his feelings for them. It’s a classy, respectful move that could only come from a fully realized soul.
The gently-shuffling “Coal Train Blues” gives Earl another chance to show us his gift for understated phrasing, especially when he takes it way down low and slow about halfway through. The way he develops his licks and lines keeps your ears hanging on for the next note, even when he holds it back for a beat. His tone here is epic and clean, adding a lot of dimension and depth to everything he plays. All of Mercy Me is chock full of Earl’s magic and grace and he remains one of the most genuine parts of the blues community. Give this record a spin and it’ll heal you.
Listen to “Mercy Me”
Ronnie Earl, plays notes & leaves space for others, then returns with his offerings, and a few more notes. The vocalists guest with him & bring us an overflowing cup of R&B. many thanks, Clancy Dunigan