Search - Ronnie Earl, Broadcasters :: Hope Radio

Mr. Intensity is back!

M. Bernocchi | Old Windsor, Berkshire United Kingdom | 02/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let me say that I am a huge fan of Mr. Earl since the very first time (many years ago) I heard him playing on the radio. I have more or less all his album, and in his variegated offer, I have always liked the best the ones that are more blues oriented. In my view Hope Radio is one of the best of the all bunch. Ronnie is back playing live in studio with some of the fantastic musicians who shared with him part of his music carrier and the result is excellent. The album is entirely instrumental and 100% blues. Ronnie demonstrates, beyond any doubts, that he is still one of the best white blues guitarists alive. His performance is constantly superb throughout the entire concert. Songs like Blues for the west side, Wolf dance and the outstanding Blues for Otis Rush should be played at every music school to teach how electric blues is meant to be played. In an entirely electric album there is also space for an acoustic number (Katrina blues) fact that is not very common in Mr. Earl works. In conclusion a very good CD that surely deserves five stars and that should please Mr. Earl's old fan but also every one who love the blues."

Both established Ronnie Earl fans and newcomers will be plea

loce_the_wizard | Lilburn, GA USA | 11/20/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ronnie Earl dances on the dividing line between jazz and blues so deftly on his latest live release, "Hope Radio," that it seems pointless to force this live all-instrumental set into one genre or the other. Playing once more with the Broadcasters, it seems clear that each brings out the best in the other. Here, in a live set recorded before a studio audience, Mr. Earl and his band, plus some guest musicians, offer up a savory batch of remakes mixed in with a handful of new tracks. The CD is nicely packaged and features great liner notes, too.



I had a chance to hear an advance copy of this CD, about 10 days ago. At its best, the results are a heady brew of soulful blues and spiritual jazz, though sometimes the tunes hit a tepid stretch for a bit. Regardless, both established Ronnie Earl fans and newcomers will be pleased."

Ronnie's best blues yet!

Steven M. Gledhill | Oswego, Illinois USA | 01/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ronnie Earl is as good a blues guitarist as I have ever heard. Hope Radio is a return to the instrumental format that is all Ronnie. If you especially enjoy slow extended moving blues jams that touch you to the core, you'll love this album. It is a retrospective compilation of Ronnie's music catalog done live in studio in front of a small audience. It is audiophile level recording from a four-piece band, including hammond organ support throughout. Ronnie's sound is full and sweet as he hits just the right note each time. Much of what is featured here is from "Language of the Soul", a favorite of mine.



Ronnie Earl is the best. Check out his entire catalog of great blues. The CDs closest to this one, in terms of tone and style, are "Language of the Soul" and "Grateful Heart". "Blues Virtuoso Live in Europe" and "Now My Soul" are also favorites. He has some earlier instrumental blues in the Amazon catalog as well."