Everybody knows Hall and Oates, but some might not know that John Oates, who is a Philly boy has a Southern blues/Americana heart. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Oates has taken a project originally designed to be a tribute to Oates’ idol, Mississippi’s John Hurt, and evolved it into a unique collection of tunes drawing from a wide range of musical influences. Produced by Oates and David Kalmusky, who also engineered and mixed it. The Good Road Band is an amazing group of accomplished and rising stars in the Americana music world that helped Oates realize the new album titled, Arkansas. The music has sounds of Dixieland, bluegrass, Americana and Delta blues, all with Oates’ soulful singing! That’s the short of it!
Positives:
The Good Road Band, is the glue! The impressive lineup consists of: Sam Bush on mandolin, Russ Pahl on pedal steel, Guthrie Trapp on electric guitar, Steve Mackey on bass, Nathaniel Smith on cello, and Josh Day on drums and percussion. Fresh interpretations of Emmett Miller’s classic "Anytime" from 1924 as well as the Jimmie Rodgers tune, "Miss the Mississippi and You," from 1932. Fresh arrangements of traditional Delta, country blues and ragtime selections salute legendary artists like Mississippi John Hurt and Blind Blake.
Bottom Line:
John Oates has a very soulful way a singing and his voice is like an old friend, it just fits. Taking on classic material and putting his own twist to it, is simply a recipe for a great album, and Arkansas is just that! The styles and textures on the project vary widely but, Oates vocal approach and delivery keeps things cohesive and interesting. Oates blend of new sounds and arrangements on traditional roots material, as well as some originals, gives this music an interesting lens to hear American popular music through.