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Stony Plain to Release Ronnie Earl’s Hope Radio Sessions DVD on October 14 Live Video Performances Feature Legendary Guitarist and the Broadcasters with Bonus Footage and Interview
EDMONTON, AB – Stony Plain Records has set an October 14 release date for Ronnie Earl and The Broadcasters’ Hope Radio Sessions DVD, which includes alternate versions of some performances from his landmark Hope Radio audio CD, plus two rare solo acoustic guitar selections and an interview with the legendary – and reclusive - guitarist.
Produced by Philip Palombo and Paul Hubbard, the Hope Radio Sessions DVD was filmed live over two nights at Wellspring Sound in Acton, Massachusetts, last April. It features Ronnie Earl backed by his regular band, The Broadcasters: Lorne Entress on drums, Dave Limina on keyboards and Jimmy Mouradian on bass, with special guests Nick Adams on guitar and Michael “Mudcat” Ward on bass and piano.
Released in November, 2007, the Hope Radio CD garnered universal acclaim for Ronnie Earl and demonstrated his mastery of the blues and jazz idioms, as well as his love of spiritual music. Several of the songs on that album were tributes to some of his guitar mentors, such as “Blues for Otis Rush,” while others reached out to shed light on Earl’s personal messages (“Blues for the Homeless”).
“Ronnie Earl is at his mesmerizing best when communicating with an audience,” said Nate Dow of the Boston Herald in his review of the CD. “This all-instrumental set allows the subtlety of Earl’s genius to shine.”
In addition to several alternate performances of songs from the CD, the new Hope Radio Sessions DVD includes bonus footage that features Earl in a rare solo acoustic performance of “I Shall Not Be Moved,” as well as an 11-minute interview with the artist.
As if in anticipation of this DVDs release, perhaps Eric C. Shoaf in his Vintage Guitar magazine CD review summed it up best when he stated: “When it’s time for spiritual rejuvenation, it’s time for a visit from Ronnie Earl, pastor of the church of tone … Given that Earl rarely tours, it’s the closest that most fans will get to a performance … Come in, listen, and be healed!”
A two-time W.C. Handy Blues Award winner as “Guitar Player of the Year,” Ronnie Earl has been hailed by musicians and critics alike as one of the premier blues guitarists of his generation and played alongside side such greats as Carlos Santana, Muddy Waters, Big Joe Turner, Otis Rush, Earl King and Duke Robillard (who he replaced as guitarist in the legendary Roomful of Blues after Robillard left that band).
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