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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com
I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com
Showing posts with label Roy Rogers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roy Rogers. Show all posts
Monday, July 18, 2016
Roy Rogers
Labels:
Roy Rogers,
The Slide Zone
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Roy Rogers New Album Coming June 2nd Into The Wild Blue
ROY ROGERS
NEW ALBUM COMING
JUNE 2ND
INTO THE WILD BLUE
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Into the Wild Blue coming June 2,
2015
Slide
guitar master, Roy Rogers, again breaks new ground with his latest and highly
anticipated solo album, Into the Wild Blue. Widely known for his work with The
Delta Rhythm Kings, John Lee Hooker and Ray Manzarek, Grammy Award-winning
Rogers blazes his own path with a solid collection of vocal and instrumental
jams and ballads that breaks free from the restraints of convention, unfurling
the genres of blues, rock and roots to exotic and exciting faraway places.
Into the Wild Blue is Rogers' first solo effort in five years and is a distillation of a lifetime of myriad musical knowledge and experience; its multiplicity of styles are clearly steeped in tradition but reflect a broad musical sensibility. Rogers' background as a producer, songwriter, singer and unparalleled slide guitarist is extensive: a gifted guitar player by age 13 and influenced by legendary blues icon Robert Johnson, Rogers spent much of his youth hanging out in the vibrant San Francisco music scene during the 60's, gigging solo and with various bands in and around his native Northern California. In 1982, Rogers toured with John Lee Hooker, recording with him in the 90's as well as with BB King and even Miles Davis - experiences that would profoundly expand and mature his musical acumen - honing his exceptional writing, producing and performance talents. It was during this time when Rogers racked up eight Grammy nominations.
A year in
the making, Into the Wild Blue is a showcase for Rogers' considerable slide
guitar ability; clean and smooth licks executed with deft precision while
ranging in mood from Southern Roadhouse Rock & Blues to ethereal and
contemplative instrumentals and ballads. Into the Wild Blue kicks off with hard
driving guitar in "Last Go-Round" - a rollicking and highly-danceable piece -
that puts Rogers' searing slide-skills front and center.
Whether
through Rogers' thoughtful, poetic verse, driving rhythms or celestial
instrumentals, every song is a chapter in a book you can't put down. In "Got to
Believe" Rogers exquisitely arranges strings and slide with stirring female
backup vocals - delivering audio alchemy that weaves rock, blues and soul into a
bumping, full-bodied and tightly-produced arrangement. Tales of redemption,
release and rejoice are delicately arranged in "Song for Robert (A Brother's
Lament)". In this moving tribute to his brother, Rogers merges self-reflection,
hope and celebration into a sublime, heartfelt instrumental that paints a
picture and tells a story - all without saying a word.
According to Roy
Rogers, "I want to celebrate life through music." Into the Wild Blue achieves
that mission and presents an enticing offering that transcends time-tested
genres while putting Rogers' vast and ardent abilities on full
display.
STAY UP-TO-DATE ON THE LATEST ROY ROGERS NEWS HERE
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Follow
Roy Rogers
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Labels:
Into The Wild Blue,
Release,
Roy Rogers
Monday, May 4, 2015
Roy Rogers New Album Coming June 3rd Into The Wild Blue
ROY ROGERS
NEW ALBUM COMING
JUNE 3RD
INTO THE WILD BLUE
|
|
Into the Wild Blue coming June 2,
2015
Slide
guitar master, Roy Rogers, again breaks new ground with his latest and highly
anticipated solo album, Into the Wild Blue. Widely known for his work with The
Delta Rhythm Kings, John Lee Hooker and Ray Manzarek, Grammy Award-winning
Rogers blazes his own path with a solid collection of vocal and instrumental
jams and ballads that breaks free from the restraints of convention, unfurling
the genres of blues, rock and roots to exotic and exciting faraway places.
Into the Wild Blue is Rogers' first solo effort in five years and is a distillation of a lifetime of myriad musical knowledge and experience; its multiplicity of styles are clearly steeped in tradition but reflect a broad musical sensibility. Rogers' background as a producer, songwriter, singer and unparalleled slide guitarist is extensive: a gifted guitar player by age 13 and influenced by legendary blues icon Robert Johnson, Rogers spent much of his youth hanging out in the vibrant San Francisco music scene during the 60's, gigging solo and with various bands in and around his native Northern California. In 1982, Rogers toured with John Lee Hooker, recording with him in the 90's as well as with BB King and even Miles Davis - experiences that would profoundly expand and mature his musical acumen - honing his exceptional writing, producing and performance talents. It was during this time when Rogers racked up eight Grammy nominations.
A year in
the making, Into the Wild Blue is a showcase for Rogers' considerable slide
guitar ability; clean and smooth licks executed with deft precision while
ranging in mood from Southern Roadhouse Rock & Blues to ethereal and
contemplative instrumentals and ballads. Into the Wild Blue kicks off with hard
driving guitar in "Last Go-Round" - a rollicking and highly-danceable piece -
that puts Rogers' searing slide-skills front and center.
Whether
through Rogers' thoughtful, poetic verse, driving rhythms or celestial
instrumentals, every song is a chapter in a book you can't put down. In "Got to
Believe" Rogers exquisitely arranges strings and slide with stirring female
backup vocals - delivering audio alchemy that weaves rock, blues and soul into a
bumping, full-bodied and tightly-produced arrangement. Tales of redemption,
release and rejoice are delicately arranged in "Song for Robert (A Brother's
Lament)". In this moving tribute to his brother, Rogers merges self-reflection,
hope and celebration into a sublime, heartfelt instrumental that paints a
picture and tells a story - all without saying a word.
According to Roy
Rogers, "I want to celebrate life through music." Into the Wild Blue achieves
that mission and presents an enticing offering that transcends time-tested
genres while putting Rogers' vast and ardent abilities on full
display.
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Labels:
Into The Wild Blue,
New release,
Roy Rogers
Friday, August 8, 2014
Gary Clarke Jr. and Trombone Shorty to headline Russian River Jazz & Blues
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Friday, September 28, 2012
Stony Plain artist: Maria Muldaur -First Came Memphis Minnie - New Release Review
I have just received a copy of Maria Muldaur's newest release, ... First Came Memphis Minnie (available October 9, 2012). Muldaur has elnisted a virtual who's who of blues royalty including Rory Blck, Ruthie Foster, Bonnie Raitt, Phoebe Snow, Koko Taylor, Del Rey, David Bromberg, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Roy Rogers, Steve James and Steve Freund. First up is Me And My Chauffeur Blues with Muldaur on vocals and Roy Rogers on guitar. This is a really nice cover and one of Minnie's gems. Bonnie Raitt and Freund do a great version of Ain't Nothin' In Ramblin'. On I'm Goin' Back Home, Muldair teams up with Alvin Youngblood Hart for a very classic sounding duet. (Certainly one of my favorites tracks on the release). I'm Sailin' featuring Muldaur on vocals with Del Rey and Steve James on guitars shows Muladur's voice at it's best. Rory Block takes the lead on When You Love Me both on vocals and guitars. Long As I Can See You Smile, again with Muldaur, Del Rey and James is a bit more uptempo and very solid. The deliberate guitar of Del Rey on work on Lookin' The World Over is a very cool accent to Muldaur who really gets Minnie's style. Another of my favorites on the recording is In My Girlish Days performed by Phoebe Snow and David Bromberg. This track is exceptional. Muldaur and AYH are back together again on She Put Me Outdoors. Though not as effective as their earlier track together, it is still quite a nice track with addition of mandolin by Dave Earl. One of my personal favorite tracks by Minnie, Keep Your Big Mouth Shut, is performed here by one of my favorite contemporary female vocalists, Ruthie Foster, accompanied here by Steve Freund. Beautiful. The intro on Tricks Ain't Walkin' has some really nice resonator work as well as mandolin by Earl. Muldaur puts here heart into the track and it really makes the track come to life. Again a sweet guitar intro by James and Del Ray on Crazy Cryin' Blues leads to some moaning by Muldaur on one of Minnie's more soulful tracks.Koko Taylor takes it home with Black Rat Swing. This of course is a great track and features Bob Margolin on slide. Taylor lets it all hang out hear for a great conclusion toa very cohesive tribute recording.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”
Saturday, July 28, 2012
The Sky Is Crying - Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers is considered one of the world's premier slide guitarists performing today. With 8 Grammy nominations as producer and performer, he is also an internationally acclaimed producer, having produced recordings for John Lee Hooker (4 Grammy Nominations and 2 Grammy Awards) and Ramblin' Jack Elliott (2 Grammy Nominations). He has received numerous accolades for his songwriting (Grammy Nomination for ‘Song for Jessica’, Grammy nomination for Bonnie Raitt for Best Rock Female Vocal on ‘Gnawin’ On It which he co-wrote), as well as his work on movie soundtracks and television. Split Decision, is his latest studio recording with his band, The Delta Rhythm Kings which was released by Blind Pig in 2009. In May of 2011, Roy released a collaboration with The Doors Keyboardist, Ray Manzarek entitled ‘Translucent Blues’ also available on Blind Pig which debut #6 on the Billboard charts, and reached #1 on the American Roots Rock Chart this past summer. Ray and Roy are currently in the studio working on a new project - #3 for this rare collaboration. This year - with 5 countries on the radar screen and touring the U.S. and Canada - he continues to ignite and inspire audiences across the globe.
Born in Redding, California in 1950, he began playing guitar at twelve years of age. A year later at age 13, he was performing in a rock 'n' roll band that wore gold lame jackets and played Little Richard and Chuck Berry tunes. He discovered the great blues players early on, especially when his older brother brought home an album by Robert Johnson. Thus began his love of the blues, slide guitar in particular, which had an immediate effect on Roy, who was indeed named after the King of the Cowboys. Through the years he developed a distinctive style of playing slide guitar that not only emerged, but one that is instantly recognizable.
During the 1960's Rogers frequented the San Francisco rock clubs where he saw many of the blues greats who inspired him. He performed with various groups until 1976, when he and harmonica player David Burgin formed an acoustic duo and recorded an album Rogers And Burgin: A Foot In The Door for Waterhouse Records. They also played on the "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" movie soundtrack before the duet ran it's course. Rogers then formed his own band in 1980, the Delta Rhythm Kings, hit the club circuit, played a few more movie and television gigs, and toured Europe with the 1982 San Francisco Blues Festival Revue (recording an album with that Revue in Paris).
Shortly after returning from Europe, Rogers was asked to join John Lee Hooker's Coast to Coast Blues Band. During the four years he toured with Hooker as a featured guitarist/vocalist, Rogers established a strong personal and professional relationship with the venerated blues legend. Said Hooker, "I just can't say enough good things about Roy. He plays so good. Some of the best slide I've heard, best blues I've heard. He gets real deep and funky, and he masters whatever he plays." Near the end of his tenure in Hooker's band, Roy began to open shows as a solo act, giving him a chance to perform some of the classic country blues and original compositions he'd been perfecting for years. He then went on to produce the historically important four recordings for John Lee Hooker. "The Healer" "Mr. Lucky" "Boom Boom" "Chill Out" - some tracks involving co producer credits with Ry Cooder and Van Morrison.
In 1985 he released his first solo album, Chops Not Chaps on his own label, which received widespread radio play and was nominated for a W.C. Handy Award. In 1987, Blind Pig released his second solo album, Slidewinder. It includes fantastic duets with Hooker and New Orleans piano great Allen Toussaint, as well as songs with his own band. The rave reviews in the national press and extensive radio play that followed further enhanced Roy's growing reputation. Roy's third solo release, Blues On The Range was also issued on Blind Pig in 1989 and continued to win new fans to his incredible slide guitar, arrangements and songwriting skills.
Roy’s musical talents were featured on the soundtrack for the 1990 film “The Hot Spot,”
which he recorded with Miles Davis, John Lee Hooker and Taj Mahal and which also garnered a Grammy nomination.
In 1991, Rogers hooked up with another Bay Area artist, harmonica virtuoso and vocalist Norton Buffalo to produce the highly acclaimed release R & B. The album is a true American array of acoustic tunes from blues to ballads capturing the incredible chemistry of these powerful performers. The cut "Song For Jessica" received a Grammy Award nomination in 1991 and another track, "Ain't No Bread In The Breadbox" was made into a performance video which received airplay on many outlets, including The Nashville Network.
The duo came back in 1992 with the Blind Pig release Travellin' Tracks, featuring live performances as well as studio tracks where they are joined by a rhythm section on several cuts. The dynamic interplay between the pair is undeniable and the release furthered the artist's already outstanding reputations.
As a recording artist, as well as a producer and composer, Rogers’ has recorded not only on his own to critical acclaim, but with others including Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Miller, Sammy Hagar, Ray Manzarek and a slew of other great artists. He has been touring worldwide since 1982 and has performed in some of the world’s most prestigious festivals including Montreux, North Sea Jazz Festival, Pori, Pistoia, New Orleans Jazz Festival and more. He continues to tour worldwide with stirring live performances. His ability to electrify and move audiences is legendary. Always eclectic in approach, Roy Rogers is consistently stretching the boundaries of slide guitar.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”
Labels:
California,
Roy Rogers
Monday, July 4, 2011
Terraplane Blues - Roy Rogers + Norton Buffalo
Norton Buffalo (September 28, 1951 – October 30, 2009) was a singer-songwriter, country and blues harmonica player, record producer, bandleader and recording artist best known as a versatile exponent of the harmonica, including chromatic and diatonic
Roy Rogers (born July 28, 1950, Redding, California) is an American slide guitarist and record producer. He was named after the singing cowboy, Roy Rogers.[1] Rogers plays a variety of guitar styles related to the Delta blues, but is most often recognized for his virtuoso slide work.[2]
In the 1980s Rogers was a member of John Lee Hooker's Coast to Coast Band. Rogers produced four John Lee Hooker recordings; ' The Healer' ; Mr. Lucky; Boom Boom and "Chill Out." He also produced two Grammy nominated recordings for Ramblin' Jack Elliott entitled "Friends of Mine" and "A Long Ride." Roy also co-wrote "Gnawnin' On It" which was nominated for 'Best Female Rock Vocal for Bonnie Raitt, a long time friend and collaborator.
Rogers has performed and/or recorded with for a diverse spectrum of artists including Linda Ronstadt, Sammy Hagar, Bonnie Raitt, Zucchero, John Gorka and Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and Elvin Bishop, Carlos Santana, and Steve Miller. Since 1980, Rogers has also fronted his own trio, The Delta Rhythm Kings. In 2003, Roger's own Slideways reached number 3 on Billboard's 'Split Decision' also charted in 2009. chart for "Top Blues Albums." He has also been nominated for 'Best Blues Guitar Instrumentalist" by The Blues Foundation. Other awards include those from France and Austrilia with long time friend Norton Buffalo. His current release in May 2011 is a collaboration with The Doors co-founder Ray Manzarek entitled 'Translucent Blues' which will be released by Blind Pig Records in May of 2011. His releases have been received worldwide, as he has been touring Europe, Brazil, Australia, Scandinavia since 1982.
Rogers has a brawny way with a lyric, and his command of slide styles is as extensive as anyone's.
Labels:
Norton Buffalo,
Roy Rogers
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Chesepeake Bay Blues Fest - Blues Ace Reporting
Blues Aficionado Allen "Blues Ace" Anthony was on the scene for the festival as usual and brought us some great photos as well as short commentary. The picture of
Motor City Josh is of him (left) and his brother bringing the house down at the end of their set. What a pleasant surprise that band was! I had no idea how good that guy was.
Mac Arnold made his guitar out of a gas can. While it’s more of a guitar than many of Super Chikan’s glorified Diddley Bows, it also sounds it’s best when played with a slide rather than any primitive attempts at fretting notes or chords. (More to come on Mac Arnold). He spent a lot of time in the LA music scene for much of his career and has semi-retired back to South Carolina where he bases his band, Plateful of Blues. Another interesting thing about him is that he grew up with James Brown and played in high school bands with “The Godfather of Soul.”
John Mayall played a nice set. Did 3 songs off the Bluesbreakers “Beano” albums. Parchman Farm, and a few others. Also did a song, L&M Blues, aka Ridin’ On The L&M, which I know from other blues artists covers of it. But he introduced it as being a Lionel Hampton composition which I did not know.
Little Feat is always interesting every time I’ve seen them and this was no exception. They called out Nighthawks harpist Mark Wenner to play a couple songs, in particular Dixie Chicken, which is what they were playing when the photo was taken. First time I ever heard them play Dixie Chicken “stand-alone.” All of the half dozen times I’ve seen them they have morphed Dixie Chicken into a medley of some sort which almost always included Tripe Face Boogie. But this was about a 12-14 minute rendition of Dixie Chicken by itself. Their set was cut short by the demands that Kenny Wayne Shepherd take the stage at exactly his scheduled time. Fred Tackett looked like he was ready to break the band into Feats Don’t Fail Me Now as an encore, but they swept their carcases off the stage promptly. They even said, “We’d like to play one more but our time is up.” They were having fun and the crowd was heavily into it.
Then Kenny Wayne came on and played a standard set.
Ray Manzarek-Roy Rogers was very good by my estimation but I don’t think too many people got as excited by them as I did. Manzarek at one point played an instrumental solo of The Crystal Ship that was the highlight of their set. They also did Riders On the Storm where Manzarek sang and the crowd loved that but it was just OK. He also announced some kind of 40th anniversary of Jim Morrison’s death concert in Paris next month where they were going to play.
Roy Rogers did not have his guitar coming through the PA like it should have. It was weak so it’s hard to tell how good he was really. It was the only issue I had with the sound production for the whole two days of the festival.
Ronnie Baker Brooks damn near stole the whole show. He was terriffic! Way better than Lonnie Brooks was a couple years back. Looking forward to seeing him on the Cruise.
The Lee Boys were great. It’s a band of all family, either brothers or nephews, cousins, and uncles. They call their music “Sacred Steel” which is a base of gospel with generous portions of blues, jazz, mixed with part soul, r&b, and country. It’s is much like Robert Randolph. This band is basically a top notch rhythm section in support of their centerpiece, keystone, and focal point, Roosevelt “The Dr.” on pedal steel and lap slide guitar. I got to say, in a head-cuttin’ contest with the Devil on pedal steel, and my soul on the line, I might take Roosevelt over anybody alive including Robert Randolph! That dude was awesome.
Motor City Josh is of him (left) and his brother bringing the house down at the end of their set. What a pleasant surprise that band was! I had no idea how good that guy was.
Mac Arnold made his guitar out of a gas can. While it’s more of a guitar than many of Super Chikan’s glorified Diddley Bows, it also sounds it’s best when played with a slide rather than any primitive attempts at fretting notes or chords. (More to come on Mac Arnold). He spent a lot of time in the LA music scene for much of his career and has semi-retired back to South Carolina where he bases his band, Plateful of Blues. Another interesting thing about him is that he grew up with James Brown and played in high school bands with “The Godfather of Soul.”
John Mayall played a nice set. Did 3 songs off the Bluesbreakers “Beano” albums. Parchman Farm, and a few others. Also did a song, L&M Blues, aka Ridin’ On The L&M, which I know from other blues artists covers of it. But he introduced it as being a Lionel Hampton composition which I did not know.
Little Feat is always interesting every time I’ve seen them and this was no exception. They called out Nighthawks harpist Mark Wenner to play a couple songs, in particular Dixie Chicken, which is what they were playing when the photo was taken. First time I ever heard them play Dixie Chicken “stand-alone.” All of the half dozen times I’ve seen them they have morphed Dixie Chicken into a medley of some sort which almost always included Tripe Face Boogie. But this was about a 12-14 minute rendition of Dixie Chicken by itself. Their set was cut short by the demands that Kenny Wayne Shepherd take the stage at exactly his scheduled time. Fred Tackett looked like he was ready to break the band into Feats Don’t Fail Me Now as an encore, but they swept their carcases off the stage promptly. They even said, “We’d like to play one more but our time is up.” They were having fun and the crowd was heavily into it.
Then Kenny Wayne came on and played a standard set.
Ray Manzarek-Roy Rogers was very good by my estimation but I don’t think too many people got as excited by them as I did. Manzarek at one point played an instrumental solo of The Crystal Ship that was the highlight of their set. They also did Riders On the Storm where Manzarek sang and the crowd loved that but it was just OK. He also announced some kind of 40th anniversary of Jim Morrison’s death concert in Paris next month where they were going to play.
Roy Rogers did not have his guitar coming through the PA like it should have. It was weak so it’s hard to tell how good he was really. It was the only issue I had with the sound production for the whole two days of the festival.
Ronnie Baker Brooks damn near stole the whole show. He was terriffic! Way better than Lonnie Brooks was a couple years back. Looking forward to seeing him on the Cruise.
The Lee Boys were great. It’s a band of all family, either brothers or nephews, cousins, and uncles. They call their music “Sacred Steel” which is a base of gospel with generous portions of blues, jazz, mixed with part soul, r&b, and country. It’s is much like Robert Randolph. This band is basically a top notch rhythm section in support of their centerpiece, keystone, and focal point, Roosevelt “The Dr.” on pedal steel and lap slide guitar. I got to say, in a head-cuttin’ contest with the Devil on pedal steel, and my soul on the line, I might take Roosevelt over anybody alive including Robert Randolph! That dude was awesome.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Walkin Blues
Roy Rogers is one of the premier slide guitarists performing today. He is also an internationally acclaimed producer, having produced recordings for John Lee Hooker (4 Grammy Nominations and 2 Grammy Awards) and Ramblin' Jack Elliott (2 Grammy Nominations). He has received numerous accolades for his songwriting(Grammy Nomination for ‘Song for Jessica’ ), as well as his work on movie soundtracks and television. His latest release, 'Split Decision', is his first studio recording with his band, The Delta Rhythm Kings, in seven years.
Born in Redding, California in 1950, he began playing guitar at twelve years of age. A year later at age 13, he was performing in a rock 'n' roll band that wore gold lame jackets and played Little Richard and Chuck Berry tunes. He discovered the great blues players early on, especially when his older brother brought home an album by Robert Johnson. Thus began his love of the blues, slide guitar in particular, which had an immediate effect on Roy, who was indeed named after the King of the Cowboys. Through the years he developed a distinctive style of playing slide guitar that not only emerged, but one that is instantly recognizable.
During the 1960's Rogers frequented the San Francisco rock clubs where he saw many of the blues greats who inspired him. He performed with various groups until 1976, when he and harmonica player David Burgin formed an acoustic duo and recorded an album Rogers And Burgin: A Foot In The Door for Waterhouse Records. They also played on the "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" movie soundtrack before splitting up. Rogers then formed his own band in 1980, the Delta Rhythm Kings, hit the club circuit, played a few more movie and television gigs, and toured Europe with the 1982 San Francisco Blues Festival Revue (recording an album with that Revue in Paris).
Shortly after returning from Europe, Rogers was asked to join John Lee Hooker's Coast to Coast Blues Band. During the four years he toured with Hooker as a featured guitarist/vocalist, Rogers established a strong personal and professional relationship with the venerated blues legend. Said Hooker, "I just can't say enough good things about Roy. He plays so good. Some of the best slide I've heard, best blues I've heard. He gets real deep and funky, and he masters whatever he plays." Near the end of his tenure in Hooker's band, Roy began to open shows as a solo act, giving him a chance to perform some of the classic country blues and original compositions he'd been perfecting for years. He then went on to produce a total of four recordings for John Lee Hooker.
In 1985 he released his first solo album, Chops Not Chaps on his own label, which received widespread radio play and was nominated for a W.C. Handy Award. In 1987, Blind Pig released his second solo album, Slidewinder. It included duets with Hooker and New Orleans piano great Allen Toussaint, as well as songs with his own band. The rave reviews in the national press and extensive radio play that followed further enhanced Roy's growing reputation. Roy's third solo release, Blues On The Range was also issued on Blind Pig in 1989 and continued to win new fans to his incredible slide guitar and songwriting skills.
Roy’s musical talents were featured on the soundtrack for the 1990 film “The Hot Spot,”
which he recorded with Miles Davis, John Lee Hooker and Taj Mahal and which garnered a Grammy nomination.
In 1991, Rogers hooked up with another Bay Area artist, harmonica virtuoso and vocalist Norton Buffalo to produce the highly acclaimed release R & B. The album is a colorful array of acoustic tunes from blues to ballads capturing the incredible chemistry of these powerful performers. The cut "Song For Jessica" received a Grammy Award nomination and another track, "Ain't No Bread In The Breadbox" was made into a performance video which received airplay on many outlets, including The Nashville Network.
The duo came back in 1992 with the Blind Pig release Travellin' Tracks, featuring live performances as well as studio tracks where they are joined by a rhythm section on several cuts. The dynamic interplay between the pair is undeniable and the release furthered the artist's already outstanding reputations.
Roy’s growing reputation led to his signing to a major label and the release of several albums including – Slide of Hand (1993) and Slide Zone (1994) on Capitol Records and Rhythm & Groove (1996) and Pleasure and Pain(1998) on Virgin Records. In 1999 he recorded with Shana Morrison and released the duet CD Everybody’s Angel. His next band recording was the all-instrumental Slideways (2002) on Evidence Records and he self- released his first live recording – – Live at the Sierra Nevada Brewery Big Room in 2005, soon to be available on DVD. The video-taped concert received wide television exposure on NPR stations as part of the “Sierra Center Stage” series. In 2006 Roy and Norweigian pianist Reidar Larsen recorded and released The Crossing in Norway , to be released in the U. S. soon. Finally, in 2008 Rogers recorded “Ballads Before the Rain” with the renowned Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek.
For years Roy has been widely recognized as one of the finest practitioners and innovators of modern slide guitar. Guitar Player said, “Many guitarists dabble in slide guitar, but the number of modern masters can probably be counted on one hand. Roy Rogers is surely one of them.” Rolling Stone offered, “Rogers is an exceptionally articulate slide guitarist… one of the rare guitar heroes who values feeling over flash,” while USA Today commented, “Pundits who bemoan the scarcity of guitar gods haven’t laid ears on Roy Rogers, whose slide riffs could peel a crawfish.”
Always eclectic in approach, Rogers is constantly stretching the boundaries of slide guitar. Regarding the new CD, Rogers states “Split Decision is more about the songwriting and in addition I aimed to create a much more edgy sound and cross-genre style. I really wanted to craft strong stories and mix it up a bit with a lot of very different guitar tones and textures - and still have those solid roots-oriented grooves. My influences are from all over the map. I love combining different elements on a recording, but ultimately it is about “the feel” of the total record. I hope that shines through in a positive way."
Labels:
Roy Rogers
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