One of the best

by Jim Trageser
This review first appeared in the May 12, 1995 issue of the North County Blade-Citizen (now North County Times).

For whatever reason, guitar aficionados seem more preoccupied with dead heroes than with living artists who are just as good. Rather than mourning Stevie Ray Vaughan or Jimi Hendrix, why not check out Ronnie Earl – still alive and well.

The former Roomful of Blues virtuoso plays a Texas-style blues-rock with impeccable taste, an individual style and a certain panache. His solos punch right to the heart of a song, and after 16 bars of working and reworking a theme, you know Ronnie Earl has wrung every possible bit of emotion and nuance out of it.

Earl's solo recordings haven't always captured the brilliance of his playing. This live set, though, is one of his best and finds him in his element – in front of a knowledgeable, appreciative audience, backed by a first-rate band, playing blues-rock as well as anyone who ever picked up a six string.