When you have teachers like B.B. King, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, and Willie Dixon, that’s a pretty good leg up on being an elite blues artist. Ronnie Baker Brooks, son of the late blues star Lonnie Brooks, is putting those lessons to good use. This fall, he released his fifth album and one the strongest records of his career, Blues In My DNA. It’s his first for Chicago blues label Alligator Records, which was the recording home for his father for many years.
The album leans into his family history, but also bursts into the present. One short track features Lonnie’s voice, giving Ronnie his blessing to keep the blues alive. Mission accomplished. The tracks are all original songs and feature Ronnie’s soulful voice and funky Chicago blues guitar playing. The title track has a swampy riff and is very autobiographical. One can hear echoes of legends like Robert Cray, The Spinners, The Rolling Stones, and Luther Allison throughout the record. “Stuck On Stupid” is perhaps the best example of Brooks stretching out and playing stinging guitar solos. “(It was) the late, great Jim Gaines’ idea to record that song, the last song of the night one session. It was perfect timing, everybody was in the right mood, and it was one take, no overdubs at all,” Brooks said, “We decided to leave it just like it was.” Gaines, the legendary producer who passed away on November 9, 2024 (just after the record was released) is one of the stars of this project. He worked with the likes of Santana, John Lee Hooker, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Miles Davis, Steve Miller, and Huey Lewis and brought that polish and spirit to this record.
Brooks has been able to slug it out as a successful blues artist by staying true to the formula and touring extensively. In 2025, he’ll hit clubs, theaters, the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, blues festivals, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival to support the new album, which is having success on the blues charts. He continues to be a torchbearer for the musicians of his father’s generation, amplifying the blues with a twenty-first century slant.
You can SEE Dave Popkin’s entire interview with Ronnie Baker Brooks here and see examples of how the new songs translate into a live setting below:
Ronnie Baker Brooks “Blues In My DNA (live)”:
Ronnie Baker Brooks “Stuck On Stupid (live)”:
Ronnie Baker Brooks “My Love Will Make You Do Wrong (live)”:
Lonnie and Ronnie Baker Brooks “Sweet Home Chicago (live)”:
