CD Reviews
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Li'l Ronnie and the Grand Dukes
'Young and Evil'

Li’l Ronnie Owens leads arguably the tightest / hottest combo on the East Coast.  Ronnie Owens is a fine vocalist & ‘old school’ harp man… While the Dukes first CD ‘Too Fast For Conditions’ kicked serious butt, ‘Young & Evil’ has an extra spark (fireball actually) in that Anson Funderburgh, the legendary Texas bluesman contributes incendiary guitar work… Anson and regular Grand Dukes guitarist Mike Dutton cook together like ribs & sauce and the results is one of the most satisfying experiences on the current music scene. Equal parts 1950’s Chicago shuffler, Texas jump blues with a dash of Excello… super hip, cool, finger poppin’ full of soulful sounds, superb talents well versed in traditional blues. This album has all the right stuff to become a long-term selling classic of contemporary blues.  It’s one of my favorites and should be at the top of everyone’s list. Real Blues Magazine

An accomplished and entertaining set of traditional electric blues, Li'l Ronnie and the Grand Dukes translate reverence into impassioned performance. An accomplished and entertaining set of traditional electric blues, Li'l Ronnie and the Grand Dukes translate reverence into impassioned performance.  Joined by guitarist Anson Funderburgh, Ronnie Owens deftly leads his band through a roll call of blues genres, from the rocking Texas blues of ‘Leavin' Here Tonight’ to a jump blues cover of Amos Milburn's ‘Chicken Shack Boogie’ and a slow burning rendition of George Smith's ‘Early One Monday Morning.’ Owens more than holds his own on the seven originals here as well, with big swinging blues shouters, tight soul grooves, and a jazzy instrumental all sharing time. As Owens is a soulful vocalist and standout harpist, he does well to allow his backing band to share the spotlight in his powerhouse performances. This kind of enthusiasm and authenticity makes for an addition that should be welcome in any blues collection. Matt Fink - All Music Guide

Harpist/vocalist Ronnie Owens and band offer an interesting collection on West Coast swing, Chicago harmonica and T-Bone Texas blues.  Though the material is of the American roots variety, the overall sound is surprisingly contemporary.  Seven of the 11 tunes on ‘Young & Evil’ are originals, while covers include deep selections from the songbooks of George Smith and Amos Milburn. The Grand Dukes have the sound of seasoned veterans and Owens himself is a first rate harpist… executing a harp wail that’s both eloquent and lowdown-and-dirty. Guest guitarist Anson Funderburgh provides a level of finesse and fluidity to several cuts…performances here are of major appeal. Blues Review Magazine

On ‘Young & Evil’, Ronnie Owens and the Grand Dukes serve up seven original tunes and four seldom heard covers blending blues, R&B and even a little jazz on a disc that goes from strength to strength. Recorded ‘live in the studio’, rockers like ’Leavin Here Tonight’, ‘Think Big’, and ‘Let Me Down Easy’ are leavened by powerful slow blues such as ‘Early One Monday Morning’ & ‘Young & Evil’. Anson Funderburgh’s presence on five tracks adds instrumental fire, especially on (Owens) ‘Mellow Chick’ and (George Smith’s) ‘Rockin'. Living Blues Magazine

The frontman of the Grand Dukes is harmonica player and singer Li’l Ronnie Owens. In the early sixties as a teenager, Owens was first playing the drums and by 1979 he had switched to harmonica and was leading his own bands.  The rest of the band is Bobby Olive-drums, Steve Utt-piano & B3, Steve Riggs-bass, Mike Dutton-guitar and Terry Hummer-sax. Previous releases are  1989's ‘There’s A Party Going On’ (as Li’l Ronnie & the Blue Beats) and the super hot ‘Too Fast For Conditions’ from 1998’(Planetary 9008). As with ‘Too Fast’, all of the songs on their latest CD, ‘Young & Evil’,  were recorded ‘live in the studio’;  this time in the restored Ashland Movie Theater in Ashland, VA. Martin Gary again produced. The guests are premier Texan guitarist Anson Funderburgh, who adds his customary crying licks to five tracks and Rick Olivarez who plays guitar on ‘Doggin’ Round’.  Seven of the tracks are originals, with two George Smith tunes  and one each from Amos Milburn & Slim Harpo. Soulful vocals, wailing harp, stinging guitar work, sexy sax, and a seasoned rhythm section make this 2001 CD a great release.  Contemporary blues at it’s best! John Bates – Rhythm Magazine, UK

What a pleasant surprise this recording is, as I did not know much about Li’l Ronnie & the Grand Dukes prior to loading ‘Young & Evil’ into my player. Ronnie Owens ‘Mellow Chick’ really caught my ears first, with it’s 50’s swing mood executed perfectly by the Grand Dukes. And it doesn’t hurt having special guest guitarist Anson Funderburgh. Li’l Ronnie & the Grand Dukes are the real deal! They are very true to their 50’s Chi-Town And West Coast swing roots. Ronnie & the boys know how to execute these styles to near perfection. This is a very entertaining and hi-quality recording that I highly recommend. Now if we could only get them to New York, as I for one, would love to see them live! Bob Putiganano – WFRU / New York- Blues Views

Band leader Ronnie Owens and his boys aren’t kidding around on this one. Recorded in the restored Ashland Movie Theater with nationally known guitar great Anson Funderburgh, Li’l Ronnie & the Grand Dukes raise some serious sand on ‘Young & Evil’. Over the course of the 11 cuts, the band tackles a number of  blues styles, and each song swings with a muscular assurance that lays a restrained and tasteful groove.  And while Funderburgh adds fire to five of the tunes, this would be a hard-as-nails blues bash even without him. Owens wrote or co-wrote six of the tunes and Terry Hummer added another. The band is in top form whether it’s Owens harp, Steve Utt’s simmering B3 or piano, Terry Hummer’s soulful sax, Mike Dutton’s spot-on guitar work, or the deep rhythm of drummer Bobby Olive and bassman Steve Riggs. Highlights include the wicked vibe of the title track, the Southern-fried, humorous story-song ‘Buck Naked’ and the improvised ‘Think Big’.  ‘Rockin’ is drenched in tone, and if you close your eyes for the instrumental ‘Doggin’ Round’,  you could easily be in the hippest after-hours joint in town. ‘Young & Evil’ is a giant dose of talented bluesmanship from a group of musical veterans and it deserves notice. Ames Aronld - Style Weekly

This is by far one of the best CD’s that I have received this year! Straight up I give it a 7 harp salute ( 7of 7 ), this is a great combination of bluz/boogie/swing all rolled into one. On this CD you have guest guitarist Anson Funderburgh and he has chops out the ying/yang and knows how to back up a harp player. Ronnie has those kind of vocals that meld with any style of music, he is so versatile. His harp playing is awesome, he can play very tasteful and just put it down in layers and then in the next instant, pour it on so heavy that you will think that you just experienced  a level ( 7 ) earthquake! Ronnie’s harp playing  is fantastic, from diatonic to chromatic, you can have it all when you listen to Li’l Ronnie & the Grand Dukes.  This CD is one of my favorites out of over 1500 CD’s, 'nuff said.   HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Steve H. – Bluzharp

From Richmond, VA come the roots music of Li’l Ronnie and his very tight band the Grand Dukes. There’s a bit of everything thrown into this stew, Chicago and Texas blues, some 50’s R&B and a lot of West Coast jump. If that doesn’t tempt you, guitarist Anson Funderburgh guests on five tracks. Owens possesses a fine set of chops for this music and blows a good harp as well… stellar band of guitarist Mike Dutton, sax man Terry Hummer, drummer Bobby Olive, bassist Steve Riggs and keyboardist Steve Utt. The amusing original ‘Buck Naked’ is the disc’s best track. It’s a tune that would make Little Charlie and the Nightcats proud. The eleven cuts demonstrate a good balance and variety…since their hometown is close, I hope they gig in the Baltimore area. Bluesrag - Baltimore Blues Society

Richmond, VA bluesmeisters Li’l Ronnie & the Grand Dukes sure know how to show everyone a good time. If their live shows are anywhere near as much fun as their CDs, then this is definitely one band not to miss! Their latest, ‘Young & Evil’ (Planetary Records), is just plain  unadulterated  jump blues. Ronnie Owens is the leader of this bunch, handling all of the vocal work and blowin’ a mean blues harp. But while Owens is clearly the frontman, the other members all have an equal share in the success of the band’s sound.  The CD opens with a solid original blues shuffle, ‘ Leavin’ Here Tonight’,  featuring strong instrumental work from both Owens & guitarist Mike Dutton.  Special guest star Anson Funderburgh brings his Texas guitar licks to the jump blues of  ‘Mellow Chick’,  while pianist Steve Utt and sax man Terry Hummer also shine here. If Owens had been born years earlier, I have no doubt that Louis Jordan would have covered his novelty tune ‘Buck Naked’ (and Sweatin’)… this talkin’ blues is a blast.  Owens exercises is harmonica chops on the improvised instrumental number ‘Think Big’. My favorite cut is the hoppin’ Texas shuffle ‘Let Me Down Easy’. This one’s a real team effort, as every instrumentalist plays a major role. Just as enjoyable but in a different mood is the snaky instrumental ‘Doggin’ Round’,  featuring Hummer’s sax work and jazzy B3 from Utt. This CD is too hot to ignore. I can’t think of any reason why everyone shouldn’t try to score a copy. Bill Mitchell - Blues Bytes – Phoenix Blues Society

The (second) release by artist Li’l Ronnie & the Grand Dukes studiously and enthusiastically celebrates the blues tradition of American music. The CD was recorded at the Ashland Movie Theater in Ashland, VA this, along with the production, contributes to the warm sound of each track. I also like the restraint shown by the musicians on this CD, keeping the average track length to a little over four minites. The heart & soul of ‘Young & Evil’ is found in ‘Mellow Chick’, a swingin’ shuffle followed up by slow blues in the spirit of the late T-Bone Walker, ‘Young & Evil’. I was particularly impressed with the lyrical quality of the title track which achieves the difficult goal of making a well-worn blues sound his own. ‘Mellow  Chick' throws a bone to the guitar junkies out there. Grand Dukes guitarist  Mike Dutton  swaps solos with Rounder Records recording artist Anson Funderburgh, who adds his touch to this and four other tracks . ‘Young & Evil’ is a very good effort by a group of musicians who obviously know and love the blues tradition. And fortunately, they have the facility and seasoning to deliver a collection with the authenticity and style that only comes from years of listening to, appreciating and performing it. Dan Sessler - Punchline

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