Music
Press
Keyboard ace Dr. Joel Rudinow has gathered key players from the Northern California scene to assist on Rude Notes Galore, his first solo recording after years of working with Elvin Bishop and others (and chairing the philosophy department at Santa Rosa Junior College). It's a good-time effort marked by wry lyrics ("Rock 'n' Roll Doctor", "Bio-Rhythms") and a variety of styles. Worth singling out are "BluRumbaDeLux," a gorgeous instrumental with cool changes and Norton Buffalo on harp, the Southern-fried funk of "Ethyl's Place", Rudinow's stripped-down cover of ZZ Top's "Fool 4 Your Stockings", a take on Bishop's "The Skin They're In" featuring a rolling piano break and blistering guitar by Ian Lamson, and the crashing piano-drum duet "Ripped Off Again". An enjoyable set!
- Tom Hyslop
- Blues Revue Magazine
"Two degrees in bebop, a Ph.D. in swing; He's a master of rhythm, he's a rock and roll king. . ."
When Little Feat recorded "Rock and Roll Doctor" in 1974, they could hardly have known how well Joel Rudinow would come to match their lyric. A professor of philosophy by day, the soft-spoken Sonoma resident has a musical alter ego that comes alive at the keyboard, where his lifelong love of New Orleans piano traditions finds full expression.
- Bruce Robinson - Sonoma Index-Tribune
Philosopher of Funk - and one mean keyboard player
- DJ Jellyroll Justice - WWOZ New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Radio
By day Joel Rudinow is a professor and chair of the philosophy department at Santa Rosa Junior College. By night he plays keyboards with a variety of American roots music bands. With "Rude Notes Galore", Rudinow steps out of the shadows of being a sideman and takes charge on a romp of roots rock, New Orleans funk and blues. Top North Bay musicians such as harmonica maestro Norton Buffalo, guitarists Volker Strifler and Michael Barclay join him.
- Chris Samson - Petaluma Argus-Courier
Discography
CD: Rude Notes Galore (2005, Whassup Pussycat Records, #0501)
Interviews, live performances, and airplay on KRSH FM 95.9 Wine Country Radio - Sonoma County); KRCB FM (PBS -Redwood Empire); WWOZ (New Orleans); KSVY FM 91.3 (Sonoma Valley); KWMR FM (West Marin Radio)
Photos
Bio
The tradition of referring to the piano player as "Dr." or "Professor" (as in Dr. John or Professor Longhair) goes back over 100 years to the role of the piano player as parlor entertainer in the great mansions of Storyville - the legendary 'red light district' in New Orleans. I'm proud to associate myself with the New Orleans piano tradition - a venerable tradition of vernacular American roots music!
I've had the opportunity to practice my music in the company of great players and great people. Two years on the road with the Elvin Bishop Band; 6+ years in the Cajun/Zydeco band Gator Beat; 20+ years with the Michael Barclay Blues Band; and casual gigs backing up Bo Diddley, Charlie Musselwhite, Norton Buffalo, Doyle Bramhall, Doyle Bramhall II, Volker Strifler, Julian Lage, . . .
My first CD, entitled Rude Notes Galore, was released on my own Whassup Pussycat Records label. I'm pleased to say that it was warmly reviewed in Blues Revue Magazine and is getting air play in several important markets, including New Orleans!!
I'm booking the band now for the coming year. We play New Orleans Style Piano-Based Blues and Gumbo Ya-Ya Rock & Roll. I sure do hope to see you out there!
Links
