Kenny Roby | Kenny Roby
(Royal Potato Family)
Nostalgic Blue Mountain folk melds with gospel-
tinged Americana and Southern backstreet swamp
boogie to give Kenny Roby’s latest release a true
breadth of country style and swagger. Here is an
easy ride to simpler times, with some subtle twists
and turns along the way. The tunes feel familiar
and sticky, with lots of meat from the soul on the
bone. Knee-slapping katydids crouch near the
haybales, keeping the sad and lonely campfires
company, just within earshot of boot-stomping
and barn-stormin’ cowboys. Despite the varied
cadences, and in deference to previous work,
there is something more settled and serene here.
A kind of spiritual comfort in the weariness. Like
coming back home and drying your socks and
gloves by the wood stove after a long day in the
cold and wet snow. Roby is joined by a solid cast
of Hudson Valley players and passers by, including
vocals by Amy Helm, accordion by Brian Mitchell,
and even some harmonica by John Sebastian.
This article appears in December 2022.
