Playing Out The String
Self-Released, 2024
9/10
Listen to Playing Out The String
An acoustic effort from the guitar wizard Arlen Roth, these 11 songs bring plenty of roots flavor to a 20th solo album.
“Walk Right In” opens with Roth’s meticulous guitars alongside the scrappy drumming for a harmonic climate, and “Church Street Blues” follows with a calm spirit, where warm guitar is met with expressive storytelling.
Halfway through, “Gonna Move Across The River” offers a rhythmic moment, where Alex Salzman’s bass adds much appeal, while “Everybody’s Talkin’” is a breezy album highlight of beauty and grace thanks to the flowing guitars.
Near the end, “Java” showcases Roth’s inimitable finger progressions with much spirit, and the title track exits with stylish and timeless song craft that’s bluesy and soulful.
Roth has kept some great company over the years, including Simon & Garfunkel, Don McLean and Janis Ian, and he brings a wealth of experience to these personal songs that embraces country, blues and folk in a way that few others can.
Travels well with: Eric Bibb- In The Real World; Mitch Woods- Happy Hour