Duke certainly has the tone in my opinion. Kid's a great player and I have seen him before but in this instance his tone was thin and missing something.
Before you blame it on him remember there are variables out of his control here as well. Sound man and Mic do have a major role.
Both are great players but just watch Duke take his experience and use it accordingly. When the kid comes in with a threat he bites back with a JV vengeance. It was somewhat like seeing Jimi and Stevie (which I have) on stage trading licks in "Couldn't Stand the Weather." Maybe not as powerful but the implication of rivalry is there.
I love doing that in a jam atmosphere. I hate participating in jam sessions at the local blues society but when I am coerced into participating I let all the kids have their say. Holding back and only throwing a lick in here and there. It's like a marathon they will exhaust all of their prowess and licks by the time I step up. I don't think of it as showing off or trying to out do a guy it's about relating experience to them and controlled soloing. Treat the audience like a woman and she will love you for it.
It's what I always admired about hanging out at Antone's watching the usual cast of characters trade licks. There is this vibe there that makes you hold back until someone starts pushing you in the corner. When that time comes it's do or die. Duke had the tone and the licks and when push come to shove be careful brother.
2/3 of that band is from Providence as well. Not Texas.