Review: 'Nothin' But The Blues' Roy Roberts

Roy Roberts

By Chris Wheatley

December doesn’t always make for the most exciting of months musically, but here is a treat to buck the trend. Digital-only release Nothin’ But The Blues gives us a selection of twelve tracks from the back-catalog of veteran blues guitarist and vocalist Roy Roberts, hand-picked by the man himself, and this is a man with a past worth recounting. You can’t ask for a better introduction to blues/R&B than Jimmy Reed and Jerry Butler. These two artists, via radio and, in the latter case, a chance live show, captured the ear and the soul of a young Roy Roberts. It was the great Solomon Burke, though, who first recognized the full potential of the Tennessee native, after Roberts backed him during a local gig (in those days stars would often utilize pick-up bands on tour). Roberts enjoyed subsequent live circuits with the likes of (then) “Little” Stevie Wonder, Eddie Floyd and the great Otis Redding, fronting his own Roy Roberts Experience band. During the 70s and 80s, when shallower genres dominated the charts, Roberts turned, as many did, to the reliable country and gospel markets, touring with O. B. McClinton and setting up his own studio, before a sonic encounter with Robert Cray, in the early nineties, turned him back to his roots.

“I Got A Gypsy Woman” kicks things off; a smooth, sharp blues-rocker with sparkling guitar riffs, vamping organ and pumping horns. Roberts’ voice is silky and perfectly pitched, with a nice amount of grit. This is first-class stuff, striding and swaying though its brief run-time. “Dirty Old Man Blues,” featuring Muddy Waters’ sideman, slide-guitarist Bob Margolin and Skeeter Brandon on Hammond Organ, is a delightful, sly and sardonic easy-roller, full of good humor and even better riffs. “I’m A Real Blues Man” is the perfect statement for Roberts, whose laid-back delivery is highly appealing. Jangling piano and a shuffling beat drive this jump-blues number.

Throughout Nothin’ But The Blues, the production is crisp and clear, arrangements are compelling and the playing so full of exuberance that it will have the most reluctant of heads nodding and the heaviest of feet tapping.

“Your Troubling Mind Blues” slows things down to a slow burn, with beautifully balanced ensemble playing. Roberts’ guitar, which never overpowers the mix, is as deep and soulful as they come. “What Should I Do Blues” is striding, horn-fueled power, with a delightful contrast between bursts of all-out fire and sparse, spacey vibes. “There’s only one thing left for me to do,” sings Roberts, rather poignantly, “and that’s for me to play the blues.” “Have You Seen My Baby Blues” brings us over the finish-line at a gallop, a rollicking, highly enjoyable slice of blues-rock fun.

Also available digitally, and something of a companion to Nothin’ But The Blues, is Roberts’ first ever Christmas single, “Oh What A Christmas.” It’s a sweet, string-laden blues-funk affair, with lovely Stax-sounding drums and Roberts’ soft, soulful vocals high in the mix. Much credit to Roberts; what could all too easily have been a mushy, over-sentimental throwaway record is actually a very likable and strong effort.

Fans of classic blues-rock will doubtless treasure the music that Roberts has to offer, and rightly so.

Listen to “What A Christmas”