Roy Rogers
Blues on the Range (Blind Pig) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR) 1/2
Fresh from producing mentor John Lee Hooker`s star-studded ”The Healer” LP, West Coast slide guitarist Roy Rogers comes up with a gem of his own on his third album. Badly played, slide guitar can be one of life`s irritants, but in the hands of a true wizard like Rogers, it can soar above its inherent limitations. Rogers shines brightest on rocked up versions of Muddy Waters`
”Baby Please Don`t Go” and Robert Johnson`s ”Ramblin` Blues.” Another Johnson classic, ”Hellhound On My Trail,” is given a stark dobro and vocal treatment that`s spine-chilling. Rogers` own lonesome ”Blues on the Range”
and melodic ”Spanish Blues” are fine instrumentals.
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