Back in 1974-75 Roomful used to shoot down I-95 from Westerly to New London CT to Connecticut College, I saw them 6-7 times, standing about 8 feet right in front of Duke, the whole room behind me drinking and dancing, and I was in heaven. All the guys were fantastic soloists, piano and 3 saxophones, but I just loved watching Duke take off for 10-12 minutes at a time! Just a bottomless bag of moves and phrases. Fortunately I knew how lucky I was to be standing there, that this was once in a lifetime. Great to see him still doing it.
I've been listening to this for 29 years. A blues solo that deserves to be transcribed and studied - so many memorable melodic licks. Seen him do it live many times. Duke single handedly resurrected my interest in electric guitar in about 1980.
I've listened to this quite a few times now. Duke had great Classic Fender Tone with lot's of well executed dynamics (bringing it up and down). If you notice there is no one talking in the background. The only 2 ways you can pull that off is to have a well seen sniper on stage ready to 86 the first person that moves their lips. Or the 2nd way is to perform on a level that captivates your audience. That is what happened here and no matter who you are, famous or not. It is hard to do what Duke did no matter how fast you can play in a slow blues song.
One of the best blues instrumentals ever! Tone, Emotional Dynamics, Slow Precise Note Bends to Well Executed Note Flurys and some of the best Blues Chords in the business. The thing that tops it off is the entire ending. The mark of a "True Professional." I love the harmonic volume swell at the end then to top it all off he picks up the guitar and blows across the strings for a unique final ending note like no other. What more could you ask for as an audience member? Duke gave them their money's worth and more on this one. For me it would have been worth the entry fee just to hear and watch him do this one song. The rest would have been a bonus.
Duke's playing here sounds like T-Bone meets SRV or maybe Anson Funderburgh. Nice volume swells... very hip. I saw Duke live years ago, and it was a great show. Wish I'd known about him back in the 1980s, when this clip was done. He's the real deal, and has been for a long time.
Lupo's was where I got hooked. I could not even fathom this music being played there but the day I saw this man warming up and playing in a half empty room at 3ish in the afternoon when I knew dam well I should be in lab.............BOOM Came my revelation. The show didnt even begin until 8PM that evening but I knew I had to be there. Apparently that was his last year with Roomful but I was so glad I ended up there to see it.
Michael Robillard AKA Duke Robillard: 10/4/1948 - Blues rock musician and bandleader who in 1967 co-founded the blues and swing revival group Roomful of Blues. He would depart from the group in 1979 to perform with Robert Gordonas well as his out outfits. In 1990 he replaced Jimmie Vaughan as the guitarist of The Fabulous Thunderbirds and continued to perform as a solo artist. He has toured with both Tom Waits and Bob Dylan and recorded with the likes of Pinetop Perkins, Snooky Pryor, Jimmy Witherspoon, and Ronnie Earl.
Good TBONE cover! Plus his own stuff. This is the first time I have ever heard this man and OH MAN HES THE MAN! What soul playing. I have been playing blues on the harp for about 30 yrs and hearing this once unknown for the first time let me to realize the touch is still be carried and it's on fire & bright!
I used to watch the blues masters turn their noses up at the celebrities that would show up at Antone's to "jam" onstage with them. Duke Robillard was held in the highest esteem as one of them...the blues masters. He and Lou Ann Barton both played with a Roomful of Blues. He is a master of the blues!
Duke was the featured guest at The National Guitar Workshop when I attended. I think it was the year they closed down 1988. I'm not sure so if I'm incorrect, please forgive me. I'm a drummer but I went after talking to another drummer who had gone earlier. It was great despite being over my head on the guitar stuff. Pat Martino gave a class in playing across the neck as opposed to up and down. My only regret was not being able to play along in the jam with Duke. Had a great time and met up with some old friends too. I played a protracted jam with 15 of the students which was a lot of fun. I also forgot to mention I was 62 at that time but the kids didn't mind. I love playing regardless. Rock on Duke, RIP Pat.
The first time I saw Duke was on german tv in the late 80's. It may have even been this broadcast, and he blew me away. Awesome. Been a fan ever since.
Saw and heard him in Colorado a few years back, what a great person, his music is what I call blue and true, hope to see and of course hear him again, in person, I spin his works always.
i just bought a guys cd collection for my store, Bad Apple in Boise, and he had about 10 of his CDs. had never heard of Duke before but much to my enjoyment I'm glad i did
I suppose the side-effect of aggressive marketing and privacy theft from big internet companies is that you end up listening to a load of cool music. I would never have heard of a lot of the great artists I've watched on youtube without seeing the suggestions. So thanks, I suppose..
10-4-2009. He's havin' fun at 61. Happy Birthday, Duke. Hey, maybe you can come to Columbia, SC and perform sometime (Colonial Life Arena or the Township Auditorium). Maybe Augusta, GA (James Brown Arena or the Bell Auditorium). Plus there's the nearby USC-Aiken Convocation Center. Think about it.
@MrWoodreaux Thanks! I always suspected as much. I was a student of his in the early 80’s. He was universally known as Duke by then, but let me know that his name was really Michael. He used to say that I was getting stuff in an hour (an hour and a half actuality, cause he always gave extra time) that had taken him 10 years to work out. But, I had a feeling it was really spun into his DNA.
@OutbackBros Thanks. That's easily the funniest thing I've read all night. Clearly you didn’t grow up playing guitar in Rhode Island during the 70's and 80's, neither have you checked your facts with Mr. Earl. ;~)
Back in 1974-75 Roomful used to shoot down I-95 from Westerly to New London CT to Connecticut College, I saw them 6-7 times, standing about 8 feet right in front of Duke, the whole room behind me drinking and dancing, and I was in heaven. All the guys were fantastic soloists, piano and 3 saxophones, but I just loved watching Duke take off for 10-12 minutes at a time! Just a bottomless bag of moves and phrases. Fortunately I knew how lucky I was to be standing there, that this was once in a lifetime. Great to see him still doing it.
You should see his brothers paintings. Gerald Robillard.
I've been listening to this for 29 years. A blues solo that deserves to be transcribed and studied - so many memorable melodic licks. Seen him do it live many times. Duke single handedly resurrected my interest in electric guitar in about 1980.
I've listened to this quite a few times now. Duke had great Classic Fender Tone with lot's of well executed dynamics (bringing it up and down). If you notice there is no one talking in the background. The only 2 ways you can pull that off is to have a well seen sniper on stage ready to 86 the first person that moves their lips. Or the 2nd way is to perform on a level that captivates your audience. That is what happened here and no matter who you are, famous or not. It is hard to do what Duke did no matter how fast you can play in a slow blues song.
One of the best blues instrumentals ever! Tone, Emotional Dynamics, Slow Precise Note Bends to Well Executed Note Flurys and some of the best Blues Chords in the business. The thing that tops it off is the entire ending. The mark of a "True Professional." I love the harmonic volume swell at the end then to top it all off he picks up the guitar and blows across the strings for a unique final ending note like no other. What more could you ask for as an audience member? Duke gave them their money's worth and more on this one. For me it would have been worth the entry fee just to hear and watch him do this one song. The rest would have been a bonus.
Duke's playing here sounds like T-Bone meets SRV or maybe Anson Funderburgh. Nice volume swells... very hip. I saw Duke live years ago, and it was a great show. Wish I'd known about him back in the 1980s, when this clip was done. He's the real deal, and has been for a long time.
Anson!
No guitarist alive today has a greater skill and style than ex-T Bird Robbillard. Nobody
Lupo's was where I got hooked. I could not even fathom this music being played there but the day I saw this man warming up and playing in a half empty room at 3ish in the afternoon when I knew dam well I should be in lab.............BOOM Came my revelation. The show didnt even begin until 8PM that evening but I knew I had to be there. Apparently that was his last year with Roomful but I was so glad I ended up there to see it.
it is almost illegal , to have as much fun as the duke is having ,,
playing his tribute to the master , Tbone !!! thank you duke !
Duke is the most under appreciated guitarist on the planet - see him LIVE and see what I mean
So damn great... I had the chance to see him in a really small place, 80 people max!!! Man, I'll never forget that nite...
Maestro Robbillard has such a fluid and ethereal grip on jazz and blues that it is amazing to see.
Duke can do it ALL!! Love his jazz stuff too. I am indeed lucky to live in Ri and get to see him play often.
The Duke of electic guitar blues.
Michael Robillard AKA Duke Robillard: 10/4/1948
- Blues rock musician and bandleader who in 1967 co-founded the blues and swing revival group Roomful of Blues. He would depart from the group in 1979 to perform with Robert Gordonas well as his out outfits. In 1990 he replaced Jimmie Vaughan as the guitarist of The Fabulous Thunderbirds and continued to perform as a solo artist. He has toured with both Tom Waits and Bob Dylan and recorded with the likes of Pinetop Perkins, Snooky Pryor, Jimmy Witherspoon, and Ronnie Earl.
Good TBONE cover! Plus his own stuff. This is the first time I have ever heard this man and OH MAN HES THE MAN! What soul playing. I have been playing blues on the harp for about 30 yrs and hearing this once unknown for the first time let me to realize the touch is still be carried and it's on fire & bright!
DYnamics are where it's at man!!!!!
Lordy he he knows just how to use it!
seen him many times downtown Providence. With Roomful of blues, solo, Ronnie Earl. Everyone. Never gets old
What a great track by the Duke. Somehow the 8 you disliked this must have a hole in their soul.
This is the real deal people.
one of the best blues guys
I used to watch the blues masters turn their noses up at the celebrities that would show up at Antone's to "jam" onstage with them. Duke Robillard was held in the highest esteem as one of them...the blues masters. He and Lou Ann Barton both played with a Roomful of Blues. He is a master of the blues!
This solo is so clean and so filthy at the same time. What a master.
Delicious playing.
Duke has SUCH a feel for the blues, in the ZONE!
This when he had slick black hair What an amazing guy Met him A true gentleman Playin for your pleasure for 40 some years
Duke was the featured guest at The National Guitar Workshop when I attended. I think it was the year they closed down 1988. I'm not sure so if I'm incorrect, please forgive me. I'm a drummer but I went after talking to another drummer who had gone earlier. It was great despite being over my head on the guitar stuff. Pat Martino gave a class in playing across the neck as opposed to up and down. My only regret was not being able to play along in the jam with Duke. Had a great time and met up with some old friends too. I played a protracted jam with 15 of the students which was a lot of fun. I also forgot to mention I was 62 at that time but the kids didn't mind. I love playing regardless. Rock on Duke, RIP Pat.
This is actually Duke's Mood, from the "Too Hot To Handle" record
The dynamic control here is just insane, never seen anything like it.
I’ve watched this video so many times over the years
Stunning! 😳 Duke 🇺🇸🎸🏆!
The first time I saw Duke was on german tv in the late 80's. It may have even been this broadcast, and he blew me away. Awesome. Been a fan ever since.
IDuke is new to me. His style is different and good.....
Saying 'Hi' to all his fans.....
now THAT is a strat-tone !
Saw and heard him in Colorado a few years back, what a great person, his music is what I call blue and true, hope to see and of course hear him again, in person, I spin his works always.
shakes me to my core. So sorry I never saw him. Come on down to South America and play Duke.
Happy Birthday, Duke Robillard! 🥳🎶🎈🎸
Wow, what a joy of playing😎
i just bought a guys cd collection for my store, Bad Apple in Boise, and he had about 10 of his CDs. had never heard of Duke before but much to my enjoyment I'm glad i did
I follow Duke for years, I love hes guitar is very jazzy and sometimes touches very Latino
Saw him many years ago when he played with room full of blues at venue called my father's place on long Island NY. Fantastic show.
This playing is phenomenal!
incredible, thanks for the performance Duke.
great Musician' Love 'this kind of Music... its Music to my soul.
The Duke at his best !!!
Thanks for posting this video !!!
Awesome performance.
I'm real impressed; WONDERFUL!!
Perfect 👍 Thanks Duke !
WOW...blown away by his playing! Anyone who gave this a thumbs down must be a drummer.
Just discovered this gentleman, via Albert Collins. Sweet, Sweet....
Man, What a Beautifull sound.
Saw him at The Whiffle Tree in Cortland NY in 1980 and watched him demolish a Pontillos Pizza pie after the show.
A true legend.
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!
I suppose the side-effect of aggressive marketing and privacy theft from big internet companies is that you end up listening to a load of cool music. I would never have heard of a lot of the great artists I've watched on youtube without seeing the suggestions. So thanks, I suppose..
SAW him live with roomfull many times at Red Creek Rochester Ny BACK IN THE SEVENTIES
I was just thinking of those mind-blowingly great shows!
No matter what Axe Duke uses, he cuts right to the bone.
Wow ! Amazing !!!!
Breathtakingly beautiful, what a sublime demonstration of skill & talent
Beautiful! On of my favs from Duke!!!
Breathtaking !
Breathless…
Nice! I got into Duke around that time, and played the Rockin' Blues CD a couple hundred times!
I saw him perform in April at the Ritz Theater. INCREDIBLE.
God that is SOO sweet!!!
Antonio. Thanks for the bio. He's a great guitar player!
Excellent artiste. J'adore sa technique et le son Fender est parfait !
Great sound, I love this Fender Strat Plus
the spirit of blues guitar
he mesmerize me
man, sooooo sweet to the ears !!!
Excellent video I saw him some years ago in Byron Bay. He is a strict master like Ronnie Earl.
Dan
Excellent!!!
Grandma mary
amazing bluesman
Unbelievable ! Goosebumps ...
I think I was there when Duke bought this guitar? He dug the color. Traded an Epiphone in if I recall.
oh no, I love all colors and aprecciate each one as they are. Not the same, but all beautyful in their own way.
10-4-2009. He's havin' fun at 61. Happy Birthday, Duke. Hey, maybe you can come to Columbia, SC and perform sometime (Colonial Life Arena or the Township Auditorium). Maybe Augusta, GA (James Brown Arena or the Bell Auditorium). Plus there's the nearby USC-Aiken Convocation Center. Think about it.
My hat is off to you Duke!
Sooo good!
@MrWoodreaux Thanks! I always suspected as much. I was a student of his in the early 80’s. He was universally known as Duke by then, but let me know that his name was really Michael. He used to say that I was getting stuff in an hour (an hour and a half actuality, cause he always gave extra time) that had taken him 10 years to work out. But, I had a feeling it was really spun into his DNA.
Anyone else here big michael bloomfield blues on a westside at around 0:30? Man dukes awesome
Nov 21 at Chan's, I'll be there for sure. Coming home to Woonsocket.
Yes, he is too good. I meet Duke. He sounds like T-Bone. Wonderful! Kathy B. from Florida.
j'ai plusieurs cds ,et je le trouve très proléfique et un très grand parmi les grands
michel ( france )
Nice choo-choo effect. And what a gorgeous riff at 5:15 to 5:28
Nobody makes me cry….
The tone is in the shades
J'adore!
ein wirklicher gitarrenvirtuose. Hochachtung.
Duke baby!
What a Boss!!!
Super guitariste !
muy bueno, excelente viola!
Sweet!
Duke Robillard
I need these sunglasses
only could hope that i give more like buttons.
I believe that is a parts stratocaster. Put together from different guitars. I saw him once playing a lawsuit Tokai strat.He sounded just as good.
It's not a Bitsa - it's an early Fender Strat Plus.
@Guitasteef Some single coil pickups can transmit the sound of your breath if you blow on them.
l'âme du blues!
Yes...
Awesome :-)
the pinky slide at 5'.20"
@OutbackBros Thanks. That's easily the funniest thing I've read all night. Clearly you didn’t grow up playing guitar in Rhode Island during the 70's and 80's, neither have you checked your facts with Mr. Earl. ;~)
great