Roll Up The Rug! It’s The Roe Family Singers
Bonfire, 2020
8/10
An outfit spearheaded by the husband and wife duo of Kim and Quillan Roe, the Minnesotans deliver originals and traditionals on the infectiously fun Roll Up The Rug? It’s The Roe Family Singers.
“What Did He Say?” starts the listen with warm vocal harmonies in the fluent picking, bluegrass setting, and the Bill Monroe classic, “The Rocky Road Blues”, follows with a tuneful old time feel amid the soothing atmosphere.
Of the covers, Neil Young’s “Daddy Went Walkin’” soars high with a timeless spirit that does justice to the original, while “Hey, Good Lookin’” puts a pretty spin on the legendary Hank Williams tune.
The originals are just as memorable, and include the string acrobatics of the swift yet precise “Don’t Worry About The Rich Man”, though it’s the playful and charming traditional “The Fox” that steals the show.
While Kim handles vocals, autoharp, banjoele, washboard and spoons, Quillan holds down vocals, banjo, and archtop guitar. Additionally, quite a few players contribute fiddles, mandolin and a jug, among other noisemakers. Though their early days had the pair covering Johnny and June Carter Cash, these days the Roe Family Singers are really coming into their own with folk, bluegrass and country influences that could certainly soundtrack just about any rural festivities.
Travels well with: JB & Jamie Dailey- Step Back In Time; Flashback- Blues Around My Cabin