Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Breakfast In September , from Andres Roots and it's quite good. Opening with The Sheik of Hawaii Pt. 1 , Andres Roots is on a steel resonator and making terrific slide sounds. With a riff that has just a touch of middle eastern flavor, Roots attacks the strings. His work is sure and true. Excellent opener. Tango Walk features Roots, joined by his one time teacher, Halvo Livamagi blending a tango guitar rhythm and slide soloing by Roots. This is a nicely balanced track with well blended techniques. 4 AM Hot Dog is a cool rag time track clearly showing Roots finger mastery and authentic style. Very nice. Another excellent blues track, Leif's Guitar Blues is a super display of finger picking and slide technique. Thing Stephan Grossman. Waltzin' Blue on electric guitar with slide is really lush with super bass notes injected much like Kottke does. Very nice. With really fat slide tone, 7th Heaven is really ...

I just received the newest release, Live In Lerwick , from Steve Lury and Andres Roots and it's simply cool! This live performance was recorded at the Shetland Blues Festival in Lerwick in September of 2013. Opening with Jr. Wells' Tomorrow Night , Steve Lury handles vocal and harp and Andres Roots on slide guitar with Peeter Piik on bass. Next up is Sonny Boy Williamson's Born Blind . Roots is excellent on slide nicely balancing Lury's harp work. With a very stripped down approach but with modern amplification, the notes soar. On Tampa Red's Rambler's Blues they pick up the pace a bit and Lury really digs in for some great harp riffs. Roots original, Build Me A Statue , has a slow and somber pace. With Roots leading the way on a slide guitar melody and nice harmonizing on harp by Lury, this is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Very nice! On Robert Jr. Lockwood's Take A Little Walk With Me , Roots really winds out the slide, Elmore James style, w...