In the May issue of
Blues in Britain, Norman Darwen reviews the "
Royal Spa Blues - Live from Temperance" CD - and Nicholas John reports on t
his year's Temperance show with Dave Arcari, from that very album's launch tour."The Estonian king of (mainly) acoustic blues
instrumentals Andres Roots has re-established his following since Covid
as a regular and welcome visitor to these shores," writes Darwen about the 2024 recording.
"Fifteen songs, all instrumentals, all solo and acoustic, and all well
worth a listen. They vary from the lovely blues of ‘Springtime Blues’
and ‘Station Blues Medley’ and the sprightly ‘4 A.M. Hot Dog’ (nice bass
string snapping) to the self-explanatorily titled ‘Tango Walk’, the
“confusing” ‘Django’ and excellent covers of Jimi Hendrix’s ‘The Wind
Cries Mary’ and, to finish off, The Beatles’ Come Together’, whilst
‘Spanish Run’ sounds like a vintage rock guitar instrumental from the
early ‘60s – maybe."
"Restrained subtlety is Roots’ stock in trade," suggests John, having witnessed the more recent set at the same venue. "Andres has a dry wit to
accompany his dexterous playing and this approach to gentle storytelling
enhanced his fine set of instrumentals, his guitar weaving through
tangos, swing and folk blues."
