Photo: Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters by Tom Hazeltine
We are pleased to exclusively premiere Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters’ new video “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” from their upcoming album, Mercy Me out April 15 via Stony Plain Records. The video was animated and directed by Wishbone Zoe.
Ronnie Earl, a four-time Blues Music Award winner as “Guitar Player of the Year,” follows up the critical and commercial success of his last album, Rise Up with Mercy Me, a new set of wondrous music with his long-time band, The Broadcasters, produced by Ronnie Earl.
Earl’s upbeat and joyful take on the Jackie Wilson’s eternal “(Your Love Is Lifting Me) Higher And Higher” is the song we all need to kick off Spring this year. True to form, Earl is a Zen master of the Stratocaster, putting down tight rhythm parts and minimalistic leads with a tone that’s beyond beautiful. Anthony Geraci’s piano work is crisp and satisfying and vocalist Diane Blue leads the parade with style and grace. We all need some happy music sometimes and this track will satisfy your Minimum Daily Smile Requirement with a single spin. Open up your windows, play this one loud, and dance!
Ronnie Earl says, “‘(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher’ is one of my wife Donna’s favorite songs. It’s an R&B that Jackie Wilson sang, and I recorded it for Donna. This video makes me feel super cool! The animation is creative and extremely beautiful. It is not something you see every day. Both the nature and the colors are exhibited in a way that makes me feel both alive and content.”
Watch “Higher and Higher”
The song is available here
Mercy Me is Earl’s 28th album, his 14th with Stony Plain Records. The 12-song set features Dave Limina on piano and Hammond B3, Diane Blue on vocals, Forrest Padgett on drums, Paul Kochanski on electric and upright bass, all backing Earl’s amazingly soulful guitar work. Guest musicians include Anthony Geraci, piano; Mark Earley, baritone sax; Mario Perrett, tenor sax; Peter Ward, guitar; and Tess Ferraiolo, vocals. The album was produced by Ronnie Earl, recorded and mixed by Huck Bennert and mastered at Sound Mirror Studio by Mark Donahue.
Ronnie Earl has a unique, beautiful, easily identifiable tone that comes from within and not from a piece of equipment, such as a pedal, which he has never used. Music critic Jim Hynes has called Ronnie, “The John Coltrane of the Guitar;” B.B. King referred to Ronnie as one of his sons; and writer Ron Weinstock said of Ronnie that he “is a master of tonal dynamics, phrasing, and solo construction. Earl builds solos like smoldering coals in a charcoal grill that bursts into flames when fat drips down.”
The album’s even-dozen tunes include a diverse mix of originals and unique covers of songs from such legends as Muddy Waters, John Coltrane, Dave Mason and Percy Mayfield.
Ronnie Earl, born Ronald Horvath, has led a storied music career beginning with his early years in Boston while studying at Boston University. He graduated with a dual degree in Education and Special Education in 1975. Ronnie would teach for a few years while playing guitar at night before joining and touring with John Nicholas and The Rhythm Rockers, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, Roomful of Blues, and finally with his band, The Broadcasters. Ronnie has shared the stage with B.B. King, Otis Rush, Bobby Blue Bland, Albert Collins, Big Mama Thornton, Etta James, Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers, Jimmie Vaughan, Kim Wilson, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Leonard Bernstein, among many others.
Mercy Me will be Released on both CD and Vinyl Formats
Pre-order link for Mercy Me
Ronnie Earl tour dates
Ronnie Earl website
This is great Ronnie. One of my favorites…….Brian loved you, admired you, cherished your friendship, wanted to be like you. Hopefully he is playing for the angels now and playing like he always wanted to be able to . JUST LIKE YOU ! God Bless you for the happiness you gave him. Keep Well………Brians parents!