Chris Duarte has been many things during his career: Stevie Ray Vaughan heir apparent, psychedelic blues-rocker, light-speedy guitar god. For his third album, Duarte presents a new incarnation. It's a lot like his previous... more » ones, but with an added spiritual element that usually comes later in an artist's career. So there are a few introspective pieces here--particularly "Azul Ezell" and "Metaphor (Acoustic)"--and a number of efforts at experimentation. One of these is "Metaphor (Electric)," which arrives just a few years too late for the grunge era. Another is "How Long," with Duarte doing his best to sound like Howlin' Wolf. Where does all this leave us? Well, it's a good album, and there's no doubting Duarte's proficiency or his sincerity. It seems, though, that he's still looking for his own voice. Once he can bring his considerable musical arsenal to bear on that, he'll be a force to be reckoned with. --Genevieve Williams« less
Chris Duarte has been many things during his career: Stevie Ray Vaughan heir apparent, psychedelic blues-rocker, light-speedy guitar god. For his third album, Duarte presents a new incarnation. It's a lot like his previous ones, but with an added spiritual element that usually comes later in an artist's career. So there are a few introspective pieces here--particularly "Azul Ezell" and "Metaphor (Acoustic)"--and a number of efforts at experimentation. One of these is "Metaphor (Electric)," which arrives just a few years too late for the grunge era. Another is "How Long," with Duarte doing his best to sound like Howlin' Wolf. Where does all this leave us? Well, it's a good album, and there's no doubting Duarte's proficiency or his sincerity. It seems, though, that he's still looking for his own voice. Once he can bring his considerable musical arsenal to bear on that, he'll be a force to be reckoned with. --Genevieve Williams
"Austin-based guitarist, songwriter and singer Chris Duarte is such a promising young upstart in the world of modern blues that he's already being compared with the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. It's heady stuff for the musician, who plays a rhythmic style of Texas blues-rock that is at times reminiscent of Vaughan's sound, and at other times reminiscent of Johnny Winter. The truth is, Duarte has his own sound that draws on elements of jazz, blues and rock & roll, all the while balancing vitality and rawness with astonishing and deeply spiritual playing. Love Is Greater Than Me, their first album in three years, explores soaring post-Hendrix rock ("Baddness," Watch Out"), blues ("All Night," "How Long") and the intriguing Eastern modal sound of "Metaphor," offered in contrasting electric and acoustic versions. Chris Duarte is esteemed in guitar circles (he placed fourth in a Guitar World poll - behind B.B. King, Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy!) and this is the hard-rocking album his many fans have been waiting for, with 11 new original songs. Produced by Doyle Bramhall."
Geeeeeeez! Strap yourselves in! Not for the faint of heart!
Kelly Benjamin | St. Petersburg, FL USA | 10/02/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Chris Duarte Group, a power trio with attitude, has just launched their stongest project yet with "Love > Me." The ride is an unbelivable one, starting off with the fuzz funk of "Baddness" moving through the rollicking "Brand New Day" and into the melodic "All Night", which you cannot sway-proof yourself against. The Led Zepplin-induced "Metaphor Song" is as heavy as they come, showing Chris' power and versatility. "Free 4 Me" pulses, and "How Long" is one of those songs causing the uncontrolled head-bob. But for the all-out Hendrix-a-thon, scramble your brain with "Watch Out.". This one burns so hot I wondered if it would be wise to clear the area before playing it again. This song also really shows that Chris' rhythm section is pure nitro: John Jordan on the 7-string thunder bass and Jason Patterson on drums form a strong backbone from which Chris can launch his spine-tingling attack. For those who prefer comparisons when shopping, artists like Stevie Ray, Hendrix, and Trower jump to mind. But Chris has his OWN thing: original, powerful and intense. "Love > Me" is a must-have CD. Enjoy!"
As good as it gets.
Pete Schumacher | Ohio | 09/27/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Just got the new release today. If you are a fan of CDG, then you know what to expect. If you are a fan of rock / blues along the lines of SRV etc... then this is definetly worth the $$. Every track is strong playing and creative writing. Chris is more diverse then previous releases. The only drawback is the quality of the recording itself. It seems like it could have been mixed better. Chris Duarte proves once again that he is at the top of the pile of "blues guitarists". A must purchase and definetly a must see."
Excellent guitar work
Bernard R. Hurlbut | Gallup, NM USA | 06/10/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is my first Chris Duarte CD and I like it a lot. His guitar work rips and his voice is sufficient. He knows when to be quiet and let the music do the talking. I really liked the homages to Hendrix and SRV. I haven't had it long, but will enjoy it more and more. If you like Jake Andrews, Walter Trout, Indigenous, etc., then you will enjoy this CD."
Greater Than Ever
Russell Diederich | Littleton, CO United States | 04/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Chris has come a long way from "Texas Sugar..." as can be attested in "Love Is Greater Than Me." The current trend of Austin musicians seems to be reaching more of an experimental blues sound. Like Ian Moore's "And All the Colors..." this is definitely a departure from the blues that Chris and Ian first cut their teeth on. The blues are still in there, you just have to listen a little harder for it.Although I thought that "Texas Sugar..." was a great album, it sounded like SRV mixed with Red Hot Chili Peppers in a blender. With "Love > Me" Chris has established his own sound that is colored by -not a reproduction of- SRV, Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, RHCP, and even the Santana sounding piece in "Azul Ezell", (after all, SRV's sound was colored by the King's, Hendrix, Waters and Wolf). The greatest part of this album is that it is about something. The songs on this album are about Chris overcoming the evils in his life that had beaten him down. The songs are very inspirational and mostly upbeat. His poetry is backed by good rhythm playing from himself and his band, and his solo work is strong a catchy. There isn't a song that won't keep your foot from tapping. This is one of my favorite albums of the post-SRV generation of "blues" men."