Album Notes

When Jeff Roberts first met Lori Donovan he had just taken a break from the road having worked as a touring blues guitarist backing Lonnie Shields (Rooster), the Pennsylvania-based MadDog and Blues Night Out and his own Jeff Roberts Band, for over seven years.

Donovan, a renaissance woman by most definitions, was working as an executive for one of the East Coast’s largest music festivals, writing novels, singing with a local blues band (Sweet & Lowdown), and raising her two daughters.

The two decided to join forces, slim down, and play their blues together – acoustically. Since that time, the duo have developed a reprotoire that encompasses the American roots music experience - with songs that range from traditional blues (Willie Dixon’s “Little Baby”) to modern folk (Les Sampou’s “Lorraine”) to jazz-inspired originals (”Wonderin’ About You”).

In early 2008, the duo sat down and began plans to record their first feature CD “Are You Alone.” Within a few short months, they enlisted the help of musical friends like young harp slinger, Mikey Jr. (www.mikeyjunior.com), Craig Kastelnik on piano, Nashville-session staple, Brian Ashley Jones (www.brianashleyjones.com) on guest guitar, and Maria Woodford (www.mariawoodford.com) on mandolin. Combining the unique talents of their guests and their expansive love of roots music, the duo completed a CD that can best be described as true Americana.

The CD was released on July 18, 2008, but had seen critical success even before it’s unveiling. Independent filmmaker Zeke Zelker, was so taken by the songs that he requested three for his upcoming feature film, “In Search Of” (www.insearchoffilm.com). The Donovan Roberts originals – “Are You Alone,” “Wonderin’ About You” and “What You Need From Me” will be included in the film when it appears at a variety of international film festivals this year.

In addition to their recording in 2008, Donovan Roberts were also honored as semi-finalists at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN – where they competed against the blues best solo and duo performers from around the world. Jeff and Lori will be returning to Memphis in 2009 to represent the Lehigh Valley Blues Network for the second year in a row.