Anyone who has mastered the rhythmic style of blues rock seems to be compared to the genius that was Stevie Ray Vaughan… one such master of the electric blues is Chris Duarte who, in my opinion at least, may have a touch of SRV (and Johnny Winter) in his guitar inflections, but he is very much his own man. Chris takes elements of jazz, blues, and rock & roll to weave his own style into fresh and exciting blues/blues rock. This much was apparent back in 1994 with his excellent debut and continues on his latest release (his fifteenth), Ain’t Giving Up.
If you think ‘oh, not more standard blues’, listen to the opening groove of ‘Nobody But You’. Its phased vocal and purposely ‘tinny’ snare, backed by some delicious slide will dispel any doubts. The loose, raucous feel continues on ‘Big Fight’ as a hint of funk blends seamlessly with the blues.
Other very high highlights are the cracking instrumental ‘Can Opener’ where the SRV-isms are most noticeable but welcome, and the brilliant, rolling blues (and lyrically fun) of ‘Half As Good As Two’ with lines such as “I’ll never find a woman half as good as two” and some superb soloing too. ‘Look What U Made Me Do’ moves more toward rock ’n’ roll of the Mott style and is a great listen. My favourite though has to be the seven delicious slow blues minutes of ‘Weak Days’… it may be a bit ‘Stormy Monday’ in construction, but it is done knowingly, lovingly and the guitar playing is simply wonderful.
If you like electric blues and blues rock, then you cannot fail to love these twelve tracks delivering fifty minutes of quality. Now he’s on Provogue Records, maybe Chris will get a wider and much-deserved recognition.
Ain’t Giving Up Is out on 14th April 2023 via Provogue Records.
