A soulful guitarist releases his seventh album for Stony Plain

God bless Ronnie Earl. And, indeed, God has.

One of the most deeply emotional guitarists in the long storied history of the blues, he goes his own way, acknowledging those who came before, and encouraging those who are coming after.

In standard music industry terms, he is a bright and shining anomaly. He doesn’t show up on David Letterman or Jimmy Kimmel, he doesn’t play at rock and roll events, he rarely gives interviews, and he isn’t the slightest bit interested in what Joni Mitchell called the star-making machinery — except, whenever possible, to avoid it.

For many years, he’s played mostly in the Boston area, but now he is playing concerts and festivals across New England, the East Coast, and there’s a trip to Canada that’s set for the summer — and he’s working with Ted Kurland Associates, one of the best jazz agencies there is.

Ronnie Earl makes remarkable, memorable and deeply touching recordings, and his latest, Just for Today, may in fact be one for tomorrow, and generations to come.

It’s his seventh CD for Stony Plain, the international roots music label based in Edmonton, Alberta. Like the other albums, Just for Today is a varied mix of blues, soul and gospel instrumental pieces, all marked by his distinctive guitar style and the passionate conviction he brings to every track.

He is supported by The Broadcasters — Dave Limina (piano and Hammond B3), Jim Mouradian (bass) and Lorne Entress (drums) — who share the spotlight. More importantly, they are the rock on which Ronnie Earl can carve his subtle, forceful and sometimes incendiary guitar solos.

(Note should be made of two guests: Guitarist Nicholas Tabarias who joins in on two songs, and singer Diane Blue who earns rapturous applause for her version of “I’d Rather Go Blind.”)

A brief history

Ronnie Earl, who just turned 60, has been part of the music scene for many years. Deeply inspired by Muddy Waters, T-Bone Walker and Otis Rush, he started to play guitar in the mid-70s. After spending time in Chicago and New Orleans, he joined Roomful of Blues; leaving the group in 1988, he moved on to build a solo career with his own band, The Broadcasters. Along the way, he went on to tour the world with Santana, sometimes playing for audiences of as many as 40,000 people.

“I did all that for more than 25 years,” he says, “and nothing is better than one’s own home and one’s own family and friends. It makes me feel grounded. I have a wonderful wife, I’m close to our church, I live in the country and I want to be in my own home, every day.

“That said, it is good to play, and I’m ready, now, to travel again once in a while, so I hope to be at the right kind of festivals in the near future.”

Just for Today

Ronnie Earl’s searing, deeply felt guitar playing permeates every one of the 13 tracks on his new record, but there are many other surprises and deep pleasures to be found. Nine of the pieces are originals, written or co-written by Earl. In addition to the single vocal — Diane Blue’s moving take on I’d Rather go Blind — there are sparkling tributes to two great fallen bluesmen: Hubert Sumlin and Robert Nighthawk. And Dave Limina’s piano-pounding showcase, Vernice’s Boogie is another highlight on an album full of surprises…

How the blues touches souls

Ronnie Earl is a thoughtful, gentle man — not always the attitude of many blues artists — and it is simply not in him to want to sound either arrogant or glib.

“My greatest love in music is the blues; this is my ‘mother music.’ And I dig deep — I have no choice; playing, for me, is a very emotional experience. I put every particle of my soul into it.”

As for defining his style, he can’t. “I’m just trying to get into peoples’ souls,” he says. “I’m just trying to reach peoples’ humanity.”

With that in mind, just check the final line of his sleeve note on Just for Today. Words to live by:

“Always carry hope and an open heart in your life. Don’t quit before the miracle happens.”