Blues in Britain Interview

The September issue of Blues in Britain comes with a story that's introduced on their website as follows: "It’s pre-show at Temperance, the basement venue tucked away in Leamington Spa, the delightful spa town in Warwickshire, where a sold-out audience tonight will witness the combined acoustic double-bill of Scotland’s finest paddle-boarding bluesman, Dave Arcari and Estonia’s Andres Roots. Their performance styles are very different but they make a formidable pairing and they’ve been friends for over twenty years as they tell Blues In Britain..." Check out the mag HERE!

 

Blues in the South Cover Story

Just released, the August issue of the UK's Blues in the South monthly features Leif Laaksonen's photo of Andres Roots on the cover and an in-depth interview by Ian McKenzie inside. 

Click HERE to place your free subsciption and HERE to download the current issue in .pdf format!   

Upton Bluesfest Gallery in Blues in Britain

The latest issue of Blues in Britain magazine comes with a look back on summer festivals in the UK - and their Upton Blues Festival gallery below features a lovely image of Andres Roots from the festival's Acoustic Roots Stage in St Peter & St Paul's Church, by Chris Roberts. Cheers!

Mendocino Photos & BluesNews Review

In the current issue of the German BluesNews magazine, Dirk Föhrs writes: "Even though the guitarist is rooted in the blues, he plays music that transcends all genres. This can be generally classified under “Roots” to match his surname – which, incidentally, is not a pseudonym."

Below are a few photos from the August 15th Helsinki concert at Bar Mendocino, by Leif Laaksonen.

 

Blues in Britain & Blues Blast Magazine Reviews

The June issue of Blues in Britain magazine contains Norman Darwen's review of "Vol. 12". Calling Andres Roots "Estonia's finest, and one of the prime acoustic blues instrumental players", Mr. Darwen singles out the "expected excellent slide playing" on "Birdsong Thing" and the "delicate and attractive kora-like playing" heard on "Dromedary" - while "the closing "Sherwood" sounds like it could evolve into a classic rock item".

Meanwhile in America's Blues Blast Magazine, John Mitchell concludes that "there is no doubt that Andres Roots is a fine picker and those who enjoy acoustic guitar playing will be sure to find music here that suits their tastes." You can find the latter review in its entirety HERE.

And Even More Reviews!

In the May issue of Estonia's Muusika magazine, Kristiina Kanep writes about "Vol. 12": "This is a very good record... It's as if the music keeps flowing towards a destination, yet warm and filled with peace. Even though the roots of this music aren't in our soil, it made for a cozy listening that's good for the soul." Click HERE to read the whole thing (in Estonian!)!

Over in Finland, Desibeli.net has published a review by the webzine's editor-in-chief Mika Roth, who calls the CD "total roots treatment": "An interesting mix of Delta Blues, Americana, primitive blues and folkier elements." Click HERE to read the whole thing (in Finnish!)!

The May issue of Muusika also includes a lengthy piece on the late great Charlie Watts by Andres Roots, and the May issue of Finland's Blues News magazine features his profile on fellow Tartu guitarist, Hendrix enthusiast and luthier Halvo Liivamägi - be sure to check that out, too!

Blues News Review!

Pete Hoppula reviews the "Tribute to Elmore" EP in the June issue of Finland's Blues News magazine, calling the Haavisto, Roots & Partanen version of "Hawaiian Boogie" "the most firepower one can fit into 171 seconds". 

Hoppula writes: "For people like me who sorely miss live music, it's like twisting the knife in my ribs. For heaven's sake, let us experience such moments in the real world again!"

You can read the whole story HERE.