Description
Blue Eyed Soul is the third album by the American singer and songwriter Roby Duke, released on Good News Records in 1986, manufactured and distributed by Word. The album was recorded by Steven Ford at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio in North Hollywood, California; with Roby Duke producing. Blue Eyed Soul was Duke’s first self-produced album. (Harry Browning & Laury Boone’s 1984-album Push Back the Darkness was Duke’s first effort as producer.)
Featuring Roby Duke on lead vocals and keyboards backed by an ace session band consisting of Dann Huff (formerly of White Heart), Steve Farris (of Mr. Mister) and Michael Thompson on guitars, John Patitucci on bass, as well as drummer Bob Wilson of Seawind fame on toms and cymbals, among others. The album includes “I’ve Come Too Far”, a duet with Deniece Williams co-written by Duke and James Hollihan Jr. and first recorded by Russ Taff on his 1985-album Medals.
Despite the abundance of drum machines and sampled keyboards, this album still swings – and it’s opener «I Know You, Mister», is the perfect example. A bleating sax squawks out hot, R&B-tinged phrases for the gruff-voiced Duke to play off of. «I’ve Come Too Far», one of the top tracks on Russ Taff’s ‘Medals‘, is given a more gospel-tinged reading by Roby, joined here be Deniece Williams, Julia and Maxine Waters, and Carmen Twitty. Percolating percussion programs set off «This Is Not a Game», a reminder that we are engaged in a life-and-death struggle. Duke imbues the lyrics with appropriate solemnity, without allowing the song to bog down. «Runaway (Say So)», another sober-themed song, contains suitably moody organ and sax flourishes as Roby implores the listener to “(just) say so, and Love will be at your door to rescue you.”
Other ‘Blue-Eyed’ delights include «I’ll Survive» with its bold and sassy metallic guitar lines and Duke’s determined lyric, “as long as You are near, my soul’s revived.”
Roby, who never panders to his audience, is to be congratulated for two especially blunt tunes – one of marital woes and the other, a spiritual “bubble-bursting” song. «Can’t Let You Go» is a plea for reconciliation with a mate wherein Duke croons to his partner, “in your eyes I see hope for tomorrow.” In «It’s Up to You», Roby cautions that “feelings just don’t make it when your heart’s breakin’ in two” and when all’s said and done, “it’s up to you how you live your life.” That’s but one of the refreshingly direct statements from one of the most refreshing albums, both lyrically and musically, in recent memory. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, October 1986]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “I Know You, Mister” – 3:28
A2. “I’ve Come Too Far” – 4:08
A3. “This Is Not A Game” – 4:27
A4. “Runaway (Say So)” – 4:44
A5. “Another Night” – 3:51
Side Two
B1. “I’ll Survive” – 4:01
B2. “Talk To Me” – 4:10
B3. “Can’t Let You Go” – 4:05
B4. “It’s Up To You” – 4:24
B5. “Here For You” – 4:25
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Good News Records. Later re-issued on CD.
CREDITS. Produced by Roby Duke. Recorded and Mixed by Steven Ford. Green Knobs Mixed by Roby Duke. Additional Recording by Eric Persing, Dan Humann, Chris Taylor, Todd Van Etten, Brian Curtin and David Schober. Recorded at Mama Jo’s, North Hollywood, California. Additional Recording at Music Grinder, Hollywood; Asaph Recording, Anaheim; Front Page, Costa Mesa & Music Merchants, Costa Mesa. Mixed at Mama Jo’s. Songs Arranged by Roby Duke and Eric Persing. Vocals Arranged by Roby Duke and Bob Wilson. Executive Producer: Teri Piro.
Musicians: Roby Duke (Vocals, Keyboards, Hal), Eric Persing (Keyboards, Hal, Synth Programming & Sampling), Bob Sheppard (Sax, Hal 9000: Keyboards, Drums, Percussion), Dann Huff (Guitars), Steve Farris (Guitars), Michael Thompson (Guitars), John Patitucci (Bass), Bob Wilson (Toms, Cymbals). Deniece Williams (Step Out Vocals on “Talk To Me”, “I Know You, Mister”, and “I’ve Come Too Far”). Background Vocals: Julia Tillman Waters, Maxine Willard Waters, Carmen Twillie.
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