Rise
Rock Ridge, 2020
8/10
Already a recognizable name in the roots/Americana scene, Roger Street Friedman returns with another batch of well crafted tunes, where his nods to ‘70s soft-rock unfolds with hints of country, folk and R&B amid the forthright and autobiographical tunes.
“Carry Me” starts the listen with a bouncy rhythm in a playful Americana setting, and “Last Train To Babylon” follows with much attention to melody in the breezy duet that isn’t afraid of a bit of twang.
Elsewhere, “Give It Another Go” is a quieter moment of sparse beauty as Friedman’s expressive vocals guide the calm, folk influenced atmosphere, while “Over And Over” recruits warm pedal steel alongside the rootsy delivery. “The War Is Already Over”, one of the record’s best moments, then pairs precise acoustic guitar with vivid storytelling as Friedman puts his vocal prowess on display.
Closer to the end, the full and bright “Tough Crowd” shows just how versatile the effort is, and “Waiting On The Moon” exits the listen bare and elegant, where charming intimacy highlights the mood.
This is Friedman’s 3rd studio album, and the always impressive Larry Campbell handles producing duties and even plays several instruments, too. Together, with an all star band consisting of Jim Toscano, Matt Schneider, Jason Crosby and Campbell’s wife, Teresa Williams and Lucy Kaplansky on backing vocals, Friedman’s songs are illuminated with cautious texturing and a timeless appeal.
Travels well with: John Hiatt- The Eclipse Sessions; Don McLean- Botanical Gardens