Pieces of Time
Americana visionary Rocky Roberts stays true to form on new EP ‘Pieces of Time’. Having retired from working his “day job” of touring guitar technician for the likes of Neil Young’s bands, Wilco, Patti Smith, CSN&Y, Paul Simon, Lucinda Williams and My Morning Jacket, Rocky is busy at work creating his own authentic Roots, Country, Folk Rock and Americana music.
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"What a sweet and tender bluesy Americana sound for the oncoming summer months. Perfect for swinging in a hammock after a few tequilas. Rocky Robert & Friends EP Piece of Time is a tranquil beauty... It’s the best of American music, the honorable, gentle, open-hearted kind."
— Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros, NoHoArtsDistrict.com
"The lead-off single “Buck Moon” is a wonderfully casual, country gospel tinged duet with the incomparable Norah Jones. Their voices combine perfectly as neither seems in any hurry to show off or upstage the other. In fact, there’s no rush about anything here, and the EP sounds like an informal, impromptu gathering amongst friends just for the fun of playing together. The final track “Tomales Bay” also features some fantastic, understated acoustic lead guitar by Bill Kirchen of Commander Cody fame. Without being flashy whatsoever, Rocky Roberts stands out as an important voice in classic country, and Pieces of Time has a beautifully timeless feeling."
— Cody Conard, BigTakeover.com
Rocky's music is so soulful, raw and genuine, it demands to be shared with an A-list group of collaborators who he's honored to call friends. It's no wonder that the EP's instantly memorable lead single "Buck Moon" is a duet with the incomparable Norah Jones, featuring Carl Broemel (My Morning Jacket) on guitar.
"Buck Moon is an ode to all the great side men/women I had the honor to serve. Originally a poem written for a memorial to Ben Keith, the amazing pedal steel player for Neil Young, oh, and Patsy Cline! I put it to music and was so lucky to have Norah Jones sing along with me. Carl Broemel also joined the party on guitar and pedal steel."
— Rocky Roberts
The EP also features "Wild Riders", a rollicking song about the gang of nomads that drove the dayglow buses of the Hog Farm in the 60's-70's. "Wild and worthy souls that kept the caravan moving." says Rocky. "Party Line" is an autobiographical ode to Rocky's sister, originally written in 1973. Last on the tracklist is the majestic "Tomales Bay".
"Tomales Bay, on the coast of Marin County California, was home to my first stage band 'Aces & Eights'. Many great nights at the Marshall Tavern and Rancho Nicasio back then. I first met Bill Kirchen there when his partner Louise sang in Aces & Eights. So right to have Bill picking' the guitar on this!"
Rocky expands on how this transcendent collection of new songs came about.
"Many years, many wonderful friends and musicians. Most of my playing has been in between years as a guitar tech for some pretty great musicians. Even have had the good fortune to fool around playing with many of them.
Later in the 70's I joined 'Aces and Eights'. We got to open for Commander Cody, Asleep at the Wheel, New Riders of the Purple Sage and other wacky country rockers. Pretty heady days!
The last few years has been a combo of Rocky & Friends shows, occasionally getting to open for the likes of The Bill Kirchen Bands, Richey Furay of The Buffalo Springfield, and Pegi Young & the Survivors at the Iron Horse Saloon. Some Festivals and up on the Island of Wolves with Chris and the gang.
In the years of the iso-demic, I was fortunate to have a great circle of friends on my block with a studio and their voices to record this new EP of four songs, Pieces Of Time."
CREDITS
"BUCK MOON"
Rocky Roberts - Vocal & Acoustic
Norah Jones - Vocal
Carl Broemel - Pedal Steel & Elec Guitar
Hugh Christopher Brown - Grand Piano
Jason Mercer - Upright Bass
Pete Bowers - Drums
"WILD RIDERS"
Rocky Roberts - Vocal & Acoustic
Suzanne Jarvie - Vocal
Tony Sherr - Acoustic Guitars
Benoit Lefebrve - Fiddle
Hugh Christopher Brown - Wurlitzer Piano
Jason Mercer - Upright Bass
Pete Bowers - Drums
"PARTY LINE"
Rocky Roberts - Vocals & Acoustic
Joey Wright - Acoustic Guitar & Mandolin
Luke Mercier - Fiddle
Jason Mercer - Upright Bass
Teilhard Frost - Harmony Vocal
Suzanne Jarvie - Harmony Vocal
Stephen Stanley - Harmony Vocal
"TOMALES BAY"
Rocky Roberts - Vocal & Acoustic
Bill Kirchen - Acoustic Guitar lead
Hugh Christopher Brown - Squeeze Box
Jason Mercer - Upright Bass
Pete Bowers - Drums
Teilhard Frost - Percussion
Sarah McDermott - Harmony Vocal
Suzanne Jarvie - Harmony Vocal
Stephen Stanley - Harmony Vocal
More Info:
All songs Copyright Craig C Roberts BMI
Location - Greenfield, Massachusetts
Title - Pieces of Time
Release - May 5, 2023
Label - Wolfe Island Records
Produced by Hugh Christopher Brown & Craig C Roberts
Cover Photo – Linda Parker
Design/Layout – Carlos Gouveia
Similar: Graham Parsons, John Prine, Guy Clark and Ryan Bingham
Genre - Americana, Classic Country