SBBS Album Promo: The Duke Meets The Earl

The Duke Meets The Earl is the first time these two blues guitar giants - Duke Robillard & Ronnie Earl - have recorded an album together. Between the two, they have won six W.C. Handy Awards as "Blues Guitarist of the Year." Both were just nominated for two W.C. Handy Awards each, with the winners to be announced at the 2005 event in May. Duke was the original guitarist and founding member of Roomful of Blues and Ronnie followed him in the guitarist slot at Roomful when Duke left to go solo.

The Duke Meets The Earl

West Side Shuffle (7:43)

Two Bones & A Pick (8:06)

My Tears (15:53)

Looking For Trouble (6:42)
What Have I Done Wrong (6:42)
Zeb's Thing (7:27)
I Need You So Bad (8:14)
A Soul That's Been Abused (13:05)

Jay Geils Plays Jazz is the first solo outing from guitarist Jay Geils, as he returns to playing the music he first loved: jazz and blues. His former group, the multi-platinum selling J.Geils Band, is currently a finalist for inclusion in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.

Beaudoin joined Geils, along with Duke Robillard, on the critically acclaimed 2004 Stony Plain CD and DVD by New Guitar Summit. Covers on the new album include songs by Bennie Goodman ("Wholly Cats"), Bill Doggett ("Honey Boy"),

EDMONTON, AB - Stony Plain Records has announced a March 8, 2005 release date for two albums eagerly awaited by fans of blues, jazz and roots music all over the world: The first-ever pairing of multiple W.C. Handy Award-winning guitarists Duke Robillard and Ronnie Earl, entitled The Duke Meets The Earl; and the debut solo album from the founder and namesake of one of America?s most-successful rock bands of all time, Jay Geils, entitled Jay Geils Plays Jazz.

Guests on this historic recording include the legendary Jimmy McGriff on Hammond B3 organ, Mighty Sam McClain on vocals and several current members of Duke's band. The album features three original tunes, as well as smoking covers of songs by T-Bone Walker ("Two Bones and a Pick"), Walter Price ("My Tears"), Eddie Taylor ("Lookin' for Trouble"), Magic Sam ("What Have I Done Wrong") and B.B. King ("I Need You So Bad").

Jay Geils Plays Jazz features elements of jazz, blues and even western swing on this recording, which he sees as a tribute to his guitar heroes. Guests on the album include tenor sax great Scott Hamilton, Greg Piccolo and Rich Lataille (both former members of Roomful of Blues) and Crispin Cioe (The Uptown Horns) on horns, as well as Gerry Beaudoin on guitar.

Duke Ellington ("Solitude"), Clifford Brown ("Blues Walk"), and Roland Kirk ("Funk Underneath"). Jay Geils will be performing selected dates as a member of New Guitar Summit in early 2005, as well as a number of solo dates at major jazz festivals during the summer.

(Thanks to Stony Plain Records for Sound Clips)