CHRIS DUARTE

"Blue Velocity" (Blues Bureau International; 2007)

Reviewed by Jeff Rogers

Blues guitar players should know who Chris Duarte is; he finished fourth in a poll presented by Guitar Player's Reader Poll in 1995. He plays with a Texas blues-rock style and when he gets a solo going be prepared for a lasting impression. Chris can channel Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Johnson, all within the same song. He is backed by a great group of musicians and his guitar is always forefront.

If you need a blues guitar player to add to your list then I suggest Chris Duarte. He has been churning out dirty riffs since 1987 when he was SRS Records, this is his first disc on Blues Bureau International and they are blues geared label so he has found a solid home that will take care of him from now on.

The vocals are perfect for Chris's guitar work and some of the songs are upbeat and a filled dance floor would be a compliment at one of his shows. His recorded riffs and licks are great but I recommend seeing him live, he gets a chance to let loose even more than what you can hear on "Blue Velocity." A few of his songs are over eight minutes long giving Chris plenty of time to take you on a blues journey via the vocals and his crying gitfiddle.

For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/chrisduartegroup.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

 

Back to CD Reviews Home

Back to RoughEdge.com Home

Copyright © 2011 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
Revised: 13 Mar 2023 19:46:25 -0500 .