Meanwhile, in the summer issue of Poland's Twoj Blues quarterly, Robert Lenert writes about the "Vol. 12" album: "The impeccable playing of the guitarist from the technical point of view and the inventive melodies of individual compositions mean that despite such economical means, the music never gets boring - on the contrary, it draws the listener in... Excellent sound production completes the quality of this musical work."
In Spain, Vicente Zumel has reviewed "Vol. 12" for La Hora del Blues - he says "you will be able to appreciate the knowledge, good taste and variety of nuances Andres Roots develops when he deeply comes to the Mississippi Delta blues sounds. Not in vain he has been compared with Ry Cooder, Davy Graham or Leo Kottke." Read the whole thing (in English!) HERE!
Back in Estonia, the author Toomas Raudam has devoted a lengthy Edasi essay to the same album, suggesting that instead of whiskey, it's the Mediterranean that flows in these blues - read a free excerpt (in Estonian!) HERE!
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.
"This artist hails from Tartu, Estonia... and mixes Baltic and Euro-modal flavorings with large doses of raw bluesiness. It’s almost as if muddy waters were flowing into the Gulf of Riga. Musicians of this sort run counter to all expectations, and upset various purists."
On May 31st, the Toronto-based webzine The Sound Cafe published their "Quick Picks for June 2023" that also includes "Vol. 12", alongside new releases by more mainstream acts such as Foo Fighters, Imagine Dragons, and Estonia's own Trad.Attack!: a "selection of new releases... well worth checking out"!
Photo by Leif Laaksonen.
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!
And over in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Dragutin Matošević declares that "Andres Roots is innovative, interesting and unique" - "with great experience and enviable guitar playing technique". This Barikada review is in English and can be found in its entirety HERE!
In the May edition of the UK's Blues in the South, Ged Wilson calls Andres "a first class acoustic guitar player" and says the music is "reminiscent of the late Davy Graham... Bordering on Led Zeppelin 3 territory", with "a nice Hawaiian slide guitar style." Check out the full review (and why not subscribe to the monthly?) HERE.
Over at Keys and Chords in Belgium, Philip Verhaege states that "Acoustic slide guitar as in the heyday of Delta Blues is the main focus here. And Andres really has it in his fingers." Read on (in Dutch!) HERE.
And last, we have the review that was actually published first, way back in March - in the Estonian weekly Nelli Teataja, Ülo Külm writes: "He grabs you from the suitably rousing opener "So It Is, Subhuti" and maintains an evenly professional level until the end."
