CD Reviews
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Li'l Ronnie and the Grand Dukes
'do what'cha do'

Virginia’s Li’l Ronnie & the Grand Dukes are to the East Coast what Little Charlie & the Nightcats are to California; the hippest, coolest, groovin’est, jumpin’ little blues band that ever filled a dance floor.  We’ve given the Grand Dukes ‘Best U.S. Blues Band’ award a couple of times as their CD’s always have us dancin’ our blues away....’do what’cha do’ is their best release yet and an absolute guaranteed blues-buster. Produced by Li’l Ronnie fan, Anson Funderburgh, this disc takes this already dangerous band up to another level and the energy jumps right out at ya!...Yes!, Yes!,Yes! These guys have done it big Time... the finest yet from a killer band! Andy Grigg - Real Blues Magazine

Li’l Ronnie has come a long way since his (former band) the Blue Beats routinely set off dance-floor frenzies and Richmond was about the only place that appreciated his talents as a harp-blowing bluesman. Some things remain the same, Owens retains a sincere modesty about his music. That lingering modesty aside, other things have changed. Out of more than 120 or so gigs per year for Li’l Ronnie and his band, the Grand Dukes, only a handful are in Richmond. On their new release, ‘do what’cha do’ , critically acclaimed Texas-based blues guitarist Anson Funderburgh ismanning the controls as producer. That professional touch, and confidence born of ringing inter-national endorsements , infuse the album with a sheen and swagger that signal a solid step forward.The new albums 11 original songs penned by Ronnie and guitarist Michael Dutton, are typical of his brand of genre-crossing blues. There’s a Muddy Water’s style Chicago blues with amplified harp & stinging slide guitar of ‘Just Like A wman’ There’s the swampy Slim Harpo-styled ‘Wine Headed Woman’ There’s the relaxed retro mambo of ‘Love Trance’ which fits Owens naturally...and there’s a stand out jump blues, ‘Take A Chance’ with guitarist Michael Dutton providing excellent vocals.Other high points include the Chuck Berry-style rocker ‘She Wild’ an a late-night minor key lament,‘Sugar Babe’ in which Owens lays his feeling on the line...keeping the lyrics simple & honest.......Traditional, yet modern & vital. Andy Garrigue - Style Weekly

A pair of recent projects devoted to two of the most accomplished harmonica playing vocalists on the current blues scene hits pay dirt! (east coast based Ronnie Owens & west coast based Mitch Kashmar) each assembled solid blues combos to assist them in putting their mature, concert-honed blues visions across... Both Owens & Kashmar, on the strength of these 2 powerful releases, deserve to move from, slightly under the radar status & break-through into the light of main stream acclaim.  Both are highly recommended! Gary Von Tersch - Big City Blues Magazine

Li'l Ronnie & the Grand Dukes express a traditional blues feeling naturally. Slow deep-rooted tales and lively swingers...based on the east coast Owens leads his band with searing harp refrains and convincing vocals...His 25 years of blues band experience has given him a universal approach that encompasses Chicago harmonica blues, Swing era jump blues and the deep South burners... ‘Love Trance ' pours out a mesmerizing tale.... according to the songs lyrics, you're hypnotized by love. At the same time, we're hypnotized by Li'l Ronnie & the Grand Dukes. Their love potion works! 'Walk the Talk' strolls with exuberance as Owens delivers a harp clincher for all eternity. 'Sugar Babe' oozes slowly & deliberately with fiery passion that combines expressive harp with his bone chilling vocals. He and the band communicate on a level that reaches everyone! Jim Santella - Southland Blues Magazine

Here is a disc of enjoyable, good time traditonal electric blues. Singer/songwriter/harpist Ronnie Owens has been performing for over 40 years and fronting his own bands for over 25. You clearly hear this lifetime of experience on his impressive third CD. ‘Long Distance Lover’ has that west coast bounce and his compelling harp tone will remind fans of Kim Wilson. Michael Duttons guitar lays out a jagged shuffle on ‘Wine Headed Woman’ .... although it doesn’t adhere to the album’s style, ‘Love Trance’ is the most contemporary song, and is a high spot. Anson Funderburgh’s effective production ensures no instruments are over or under emphasized. Keep an ear out for these guys! TH - Living Blues Magazine

I have already done 2 cd reviews for Li'l Ronnie & the Grand Dukes and they are 2 of the best recordings that I have ever had the pleasure of reviewing. This new CD 'do what'cha do' is in the same groove as the past 2 but a notch up...li'l Ronnie blows harmonica like a man possessed! Ronnie is one of the best harmonica player on the music scene today on both the diatonic and chromatic harps. I give this CD my highest rating of a (7) harp salute and Ronnie gets two more awards that no one has ever received in the same review. My highly coveted "Nasty Harp Award" for that sleazy/nasty sounding amplified harp....and there is my "Sweet Harp Award" for making it sounds so easy and laid back...when it's done right. This CD also gets in my "Favorite CD Section.” Hey, enuff of me, go listen to Li'l Ronnie & the Grand Dukes and I am sure that you will be as blown-away as I am! Steve Harvell- Bluzharp -Guide To the Best in Blues Harmonica

'do what'cha do' , the new release by Li'l Ronnie & the Grand Dukes, could very well be the pole that vaults this band to the next level. It consists of eleven very well performed and very well written originals with a nice mix of Chicago and West Coast blues. Add to that having the master - Anson Funderburgh - as the records producer... this one is sure to be a hit!... now that I think about it, I could have done this review in one word - WOW! Peter 'Blewzzman' Lauro

A record that will give enjoyment again and again to all lovers of great amplified harp. Li’l Ronnie has reached the peak in this new piece of work. Swing, blues, West Coast jump… There is not a musical style that stands up to him. He is a ‘powerful blower’ with a good fat tone and skilful technique. This CD is a good example of his expertise together with the great work of his band, ‘The Grand Dukes’.  Although the CD can be described as a very versatile one for the variety of different blues styles included on it (Texas, Chicago, Louisiana), ‘do what’cha do’ keeps the spirit and flame of the fifties blues tradition. Real traditional blues lovers who have followed Li’l Ronnie’s career will find and appreciate the maturity, the knowledge, the musical experience of this great musician and his band. Harmonica and vocals, piano, double bass and drums plus a horn section perfectly combine to give a passionate tasteful performance on the excellent unforgettable eleven songs included on the album. And to top it all, Anson Funderburgh was the producer. A better record would have been totally impossible. GREAT La Hora Del Blues (Italian translation)

This all-original release comes charging out of the starting blocks with 'Long Distance Lover'. Authentic barrelhouse boogie with wailing harp! These guys are really serious about the blues & play it like they mean it...this band is extra tight and knows how to set the mood just right.....This CD is one of the best we have received in a long while. Every song on the CD is great! It should be part of every blues collection, and I strongly recommend it for any serious fan of the blues. Pittsburgh Blues Society

A few years ago, Anson Funderburgh sat in on a few numbers for Li'l Ronnie Owens and the Grand Dukes recording, "Young and Evil."  He must have been impressed, because he chose to produce this excellent album.    Owens is a very good composer, harp player and vocalist, and he has put together a splendid band with Tommy Hennigan on bass, George Sheppard on drums and Steve Utt on keyboards.  The creative force behind the band's success, however, is the relationship Owens has with guitar player Michael Dutton, who shares credit for writing the songs and takes the vocal leads on two numbers. The band expertly weaves its musical way through the classic blues and R&B styles, with fresh and original songs.  From the juicy harp licks that open the album on "Long Distance Lover," through the Texas-style guitar work on "Wine Headed Woman" to the classic Muddy Chicago style of "Just Like a Woman," and beyond, this band is in tune with blues past while creating an enjoyable blues present.  "Take a Chance" is a fun jump blues, driven by the sax work of Terry Hummer and Nate Hawks.    "Life Changes" is a slow rolling blues shuffle that conveys a world-weary philosophy - "Where there's a will, there's a way.  There's always a price to pay.... Life goes on."  Another very different style is explored on "Love Trance," where Utt's swirlly B-3 and Dutton's Mickey Baker guitar thing find a "Love Potion #9" groove.  "Walk the Talk" is a Little Walter-type swinging instrumental, while "Just a Fool" takes a T-Bone Walker route with a sweet rolling bass, primo piano by Utt and a groaning horn section.  "She Wild" is a "Bony Marony" type number, the type Nick Curran would do.  Dutton takes the vocal lead on "Sugar Babe," a slow and moody lover's plea, "Please give me one more chance."   I highly recommend this album to those who love all styles of harmonica-driven blues.  It is a first class piece of work. Ron Eggleston - Capital Area Blues Society

Li’l Ronnie and the Grand Dukes latest record rocks with such genuine blues feeling one would swear it came out of Chicago’s South Side...This CD was born & bred 90 miles north in Richmond,VA. hardly a bastion of the blues. The recording features 11 originals penned by leader singer/harpist Li’l Ronnie Owens and guitarist Michael Dutton to create an album you’d swear was lifted from a 60’s juke-joint jukebox. Owens and his mates serve up a menu of tasty roots styles incorporatingnascent rock, jump, swing and primal R&B. The genres may be of vintage variety, but the executionis lively, raw, spirited and performed with contemporary flair. No museum recreations here, just a mess of genuine thumping, jumping, house-rocking music. Eric Feber - the Virginia Pilot

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