[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts music review of Rocky Roberts & Friends’ “Piece of Time.”
What a sweet and tender bluesy Americana sound for the oncoming summer months. Perfect for swinging in a hammock after a few tequilas. Rocky Robert & Friends EP “Piece of Time” is a tranquil beauty.
But don’t be fooled, Rocky Roberts is no slacker, his talents have been gracing stages and studios for decades as he tours and records with some of the best – Neil Young’s bands, Wilco, Patti Smith, CSN&Y, Paul Simon, Lucinda Williams and My Morning Jacket being just a few! In fact, the opening track “Buck Moon” features Nora Jones on vocals with him and the legendary Carl Broemel on guitar…not too shabby!
But this record is all his own. Songs written with friends and fellow musicians in mind, but with Rocky’s voice and stories to tell. You can tell he’s a gifted storyteller, not just by the company he keeps, but by the genuine authentic tone to his tracks. They ache in the way that only the best songs do. They take you instantly back to the best possible places in your heart. To memories you long for and people you love.
It’s country, rockin’ and bluesy, but really soft country music. All echoey guitars and shuffling drums. You can smell the smoke and the leather and the beer and the cookouts. It’s the best of American music, the honorable, gentle, open-hearted kind.
Rocky Roberts & Friends’ “Piece of Time” is a gorgeous EP and boy would I love to see this man and his friends play their hearts out in some small dusty timeless bar somewhere. This is emotive magical music and you will love it just as much as I do, I guarantee it!
The Team
“BUCK MOON”
Rocky Roberts – Vocal & Acoustic
Norah Jones – Vocal
Carl Broemel – Pedal Steel & Elec Guitar
H. Chris Brown – Grand Piano
Jason Mercer – Upright Bass
Pete Bowers – Drums
“WILD RIDERS
Rocky Roberts – Vocal & Acoustic
Suzanne Jarvie – Vocal
Tony Sherr – Acoustic Guitars
Benoit Lefebrve – Fiddle
H. Chris Brown – Wurlitzer Piano
Jason Mercer – Upright Bass
Pete Bowers – Drums
“PARTY LINE”
Rocky Roberts – Vocals & Acoustic
Joey Wright – Acoustic Guitar & Mandolin
Luke Mercier – Fiddle
Jason Mercer – Upright Bass
Teilhard Frost, – Harmony Vocal
Suzanne Jarvie – Harmony Vocal
Stephen Stanley – Harmony Vocal
“TOMALES BAY”
Rocky Roberts – Vocal & Acoustic
Bill Kirchen – Acoustic Guitar lead
H. Chis Brown – Squeeze Box
Jason Mercer – Upright Bass
Pete Bowers – Drums
Teilhard Frost – Percussion
Sarah McDermott – Harmony Vocal
Suzanne Jarvie – Harmony Vocal
Stephen Stanley – Harmony Vocal
More Info:
All songs Copyright Craig C Roberts BMI
Loc – Greenfield, Massachusetts
Title – Pieces of Time
release – May 55, 2023
Label – Wolfe Island Records
Produced by H Chris Brown & Craig C Roberts