Roy Rogers - Slide Zone (CD)

All Music Guide

Roy Rogers is somewhat of a rarity in contemporary blues; he's not only a monstrous guitar player, but is also possessed of a distinctive singing voice. In addition, he differentiates himself from the Chicago-style hordes by concentrating primarily on Delta-influenced slide guitar. By no means simply a revivalist, however, he's managed to take the best of Son House and create a unique style that is much more than the sum of its influences. Often sounding like the swamp-bred offspring of Ry Cooder and the Allman Brothers, Rogers (along with bassist Steve Evans and drummer Mike Hyman) opens the album with a pair of furiously funky, syncopated stompers. From there, he explores a myriad of roots styles, moving from moody instrumental jazz to hyper-speed rockabilly to Béla Fleck banjo duets with equal facility. Like Duane Allman, Rogers uses the slide to play real melodies, not tired old Lightnin' Hopkins licks, and his versatility with the technique is nothing short of astonishing. Overall..., though, his greatest strengths lie not in his chops nor in his commitment to authenticity, but in his sincerity; it's obvious in every note that the guy really loves this music, whether it's actually blues or not. Strangely, though (especially since he's a white boy from California), Roy Rogers often sounds more "bluesy" than contemporaries like Keb Mo and Alvin Youngblood Hart. - Pemberton Roach, All Music Guide Read more Less