Roger
Knott
Reviews
Roger Knott
The Field and the Sky
CD on Leg Room Records
No stranger around these parts, Roger Knott’s
previous albums have impressed us with his take on the pure country sound
appealing to a much wider audience than the usual country crowd.
‘The Field and the Sky’ is Knott’s
seventh album and, while it would appear from the opening songs on his latest
collection that not much has changed for Knott musically, he still somehow
manages to keep his country music sounding fresh.
Produced again by Thomm Jutz in Tennessee which
obviously lends a degree of authenticity to Knott’s work, ‘The
Field and the Sky’ is another dozen original songs, this time Knott’s
lyrics are accompanied by music composed by Michael John Groome, but the
songs are still very much a continuation of the albums we are familiar with
where Knott wrote both lyrics and music.
The title track, which appears as the third song
on this album, is the first indication that Knott is, in fact, British. While
still steeped in the sounds of mandolin and dobro and while never losing,
for a second, Knott’s love of the Nashville sound, it’s lyrically
where Knott reveals his roots and also where Knott shows that he’s so
much more than the usual run of the mill country artist. Opening the album
with the typical Knott banjo led slice of pure country which is ‘Driving
You Away’ is no big surprise. It’s business as usual, unrequited
love being the subject of the song and with Knott’s easy on the ear
vocals immediately accessible it’s like he’s never been
away.
Following up with ‘I Don’t Wanna Wake
Up’, has you thinking, not for the first time with a Roger Knott album,
that we’re in for a whole album’s worth of love and longing songs
performed by a tight band and sung perfectly; nothing wrong with that but
are we going to feel as enthusiastic by the end of the album as we were at
the beginning? So slotting ‘The Field and the Sky’ in as the third
song is perfect timing, the change in tempo, the way Knott’s vocals
take on a tougher tone and the brilliant way the song ends vocally shake
you up a little and renew your interest.
If that song dispelled any thoughts that Knott
was going to tread water with his latest album, then the following song,
‘Southern Bluesmen in Chicago’, is the confirmation. Knott’s
vocals are maybe not the first that would come to mind to sing what actually
turns out to be an authentic sounding slice of country/blues, albeit massively
helped out by producer Thomm Jutz’s searing guitar work and Gary
Smith’s outstanding skill on the piano, but he handles it remarkably
well. It’s a side to Knott that has been explored a little on previous
albums and is proof that Knott should tackle more of this type of music.
The groove created by the band on this track should be exploited more on
future albums.
Knott then returns to his country-infused roots
on the following song, ‘Sweet Obsession’, which is another unrequited
love song with Knott’s vocals sounding sweeter than ever. By injecting
the words with yearning emotion Knott, however, once again produces country
which will also appeal to those outside of usual country circles.
There are also songs on ‘The Field and the
Sky’ where, despite such embellishments like slide guitar, Knott leaves
his country leanings behind and delivers good, solid pop songs. ‘The
Open Secret of Our Love’, while still lyrically following the theme
of most of the other songs on the album, at least opens up yet another side
to Knott. It shows that Knott can step outside of the country and occasional
country/blues that we all know he’s a master at and produce beautiful
adult pop songs. It’s a genre to which his vocals are ideally
suited.
‘When Sorrow Lays You Low’ is another
track where Knott displays the same skill and almost has you wishing he would
record a whole album of such songs where he leaves his country roots at the
door of the studio for just one album at least. In fact the last three songs
on ‘The Field and the Sky’ display Knott in this setting and are
proof that shorn of the country trappings Knott produces thoughtful pop music
that he should be encouraged to explore further. By closing the album with
‘Faith and Proof’ Knott surely knows what direction to take on
his next album.
As usual Roger Knott has produced an album, which
starts as a classy yet not exceptional country collection, but which by the
end will have won over fans of other genres too. With that trio of closing
songs ‘The Field and the Sky’ is Knott’s strongest set to
date,
Malcolm Carter
http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/CatPages/CatItem.aspx?id=79436
Album: THE FIELD AND THE SKY
Roger Knott must surely be regarded as Britain’s
leading country singer/songwriter. I described his 2011 “I Got My Work
Cut Out” as “superbly crafted and beautifully performed” and
that goes double for the new release “The Field And The Sky” (Leg
Room). The album contains 12 new songs recorded in Nashville using experienced
and exciting pickers, musicians normally associated with Dolly Parton, Faith
Hill, Dierks Bentley, Ricky Skaggs, etc. If you have yet to be convinced
that British country music is the equal of the USA product then look no further
than “The Field And The Sky”.www.legroomrecords.com
Pete
Smith “The Advertiser” (UK) 1 June
2012
ROGER KNOTT
* * *
The Field And The Sky
LEG ROOM www.rogerknott.com
You might not be able to tell from his music,
which is pure Americana, but singer-songwriter Roger Knott is London-born.
Not so surprising then to learn that his latest opus was cut in Nashville
and follows on strongly from Knott's 2011, critically acclaimed I Got
My Work Cut Out.
Wisely retaining guitarist Thomm Jutz in the
producer's chair, Knott astutely copper-plates the underlying authenticity
of his sound by gathering around him a group of mightily respected Nashville
players: drummer Steve Brewster (Faith Hill), keyboardist Gary Smith (Dolly
Parton), bass man Mark Fain (ex-Ricky Skaggs), multi-instrumentalist Justin
Moses (Kentucky Thunder) and backing singer J T Brown (ex-Mary Chapin
Carpenter).
Collaborating with fellow Brit, Michael John 'Micky'
Groome, on the writing - Knott pens the words while Groome writes the music,
the pair tap deep into the Nashville psyche to create a robust collection
of songs strong on melody, intelligent lyrics and catchy choruses. Highlights
include the poignant title track, the appropriately bluesy 'Southern Bluesmen
in Chicago' and the harmony-rich 'Sweet Obsession'.
Knott's vocals are a tad stretched at times but
this never becomes an issue thanks to the clever arrangements and the polished
ensemble playing, which keep this show firmly on the road from start to
finish.
Colin Hall. R2 Rock'n'Reel,
July/August 2012.
Roger Knott
Album: THE FIELD AND THE SKY
Label: Leg room
When a new album from Roger
Knott drops through the office letterbox, it's like welcoming home an old
friend, this is the 5th album we've covered and his seventh overall. Roger's
weapon of choice is Americana with a heavy country bent. Whilst he's as English
as cottage pie, his albums definitely have that apple pie feel to them. Knott
is quite a songwriter from the love-life-journeys school to create albums
that have a real down home feel. "The Field And The Sky" reveals he's still
one sharp writer/performer who gives a lot of himself in his performances
and has a country heart. Grand. -
Fatea
Roger Knott I GOT MY WORK CUT OUT Leg Room Records ****
London-born Roger Knott has
released a steady stream of quality albums over the past few years and this,
his sixth, is another excellent collection of self-penned songs. Recorded
mainly in Nashville and produced by the multi-skilled Thomm Jutz (who also
plays various guitars) this falls loosely into the Americana style, but Roger
doesn’t attempt that awful mid-Atlantic country drawl so many UK-based
country singers do, but gives the songs an Englishness that works so much
better. He has the ability to write memorable songs with catchy melodies
and well-thought out lyrics. Paycheck Friday which bookends the album
with the second version being an unnecessary ‘radio mix’ deserves
to be a hit—if not for Roger, how about someone like Alan Jackson?
Every Bringdown has a gentle country swing with Britt Savage adding
great harmony vocals. Golden Child is a biting song about those rich
kids handed everything on a plate—they are the ones to blame for the
world’s current economic woes, but they just can’t see it. Yes,
Knott dresses his songs in polished arrangements, but listen closely and
he has a lot to say in songs with quite deep meanings.
- Maverick Magazine
ROGER KNOTT
***
I Got My Work Cut Out
(LEGROOM) www.rogerknott.com
Prolific since his first solo album in 2004, this
is Roger Knott's fifth album and the best yet at showing his virtuosity across
the acoustic and electric country scene. He opens with a stomper, 'Paycheck
Friday', and then alternates mood and pace to suit the assertive ethos of
the album. It's a more wholesome array of tunes and melodies than his previous
Nashville-styled efforts. Thus, the songs are less structured or familiar
sounding, and take a couple of listens in order to engage. This is no bad
thing.
'If Love Can Be Saved' offers a poetical and romantic
approach that endears on repeat. The title track appears uncommonly heavy
to begin with then proves to grow with familiarity. Knott even offers an
eco-comment with 'What We Do To Survive', and opts for a linear folk stream
rather than something anthemic.
Knott penned all thirteen original songs with
musical collaboration on about half the numbers by Leg Room's journeyman
bass player, Micky Groome. The album is produced by another Nashville alumnus,
Thomm Jutz, who also contributes guitars throughout the album. Knott's vocal
is unique and will attract some and annoy others; no half measures.
Gareth Hayes - R2-Rock'n'Reel Magazine, March-April 2011
Roger Knott: "I Got My Work Cut Out" CD
"Prolific singer-songwriter, Roger
Knott, returns with another slice of his country rock/americana driven songs,
"I Got My Work Cut Out". Knott is an observational songwriter often taking
inspiration for his songs fom the mundane and giving them a place, real life
songs about events that can happen to anyone and mixes them up with events
that happen to a lot of people at the same time such as war and oppression.
For me the stand out track is "Golden Child", a top we're-all-in-this-together,
well, except-the-rich-and powerful, type track, expressed for so many of
us". - Fatea Magazine
http://www.fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/releasesda.html
Roger Knott: "I Got My Work Cut Out"
CD
Seldom these days do I get
the opportunity to review an album by a British artist so when I received
"I Got My Work Cut Out" by Roger Knott I was more than pleased. Not just
because the work is by a UK singer/writer but it is truly excellent! Knott's
early career involved bands and duos performing in a variety of styles till
he discovered country. His first album, "Find Your Wings", released in 2004,
was recorded in London and Spain and produced by Dolly Parton's former steelie
Steve Honest. The original content in the album caught the ear of Nanci
Griffith's co-producer, the drummer Pat McInerney who invited Roger to Nashville
to cut more of his songs. The young Londoner took up the offer with the resulting
"Dust And Promises" featuring 11 Knott originals. The third album, "Step
Out Into The Sun", also recorded in Nashville, had the highly regarded Clive
Gregson in the producer's chair. The fourth album, "Been Down That Road"
(2008), was recorded in Nashville. The success of these four albums put Knott's
name in the foreground with successful live appearances and live radio
performances on the American station WAPS-FM on two occasions. For his fifth
album Roger chose London for the recordings with Steve Honest once again
producing.
The sixth and most recent album, "I Got My Work
Cut Out" (Leg Room), was once again recorded in Nashville with Thomm Jutz
producing. The 13 Knott originals are superbly crafted and beautifully performed
by Roger in a programme that blends tender ballads ("If Love Can Be Saved",
"Make Some Sense", "The Greatest Celebration") with country rockers ("Paycheck
Friday", "I Got My Work Cut Out", "Younger Days") with a little western swing
("Every Bringdown"). The musicians provide great backdrops to Knott's stories
of life and I must make especial mention of Shad Cobb's atmospheric fiddling
and Barry Walsh's piano.
Posted by Pete Smith on June 01, 2011 at 12:47:42
"The Advertiser" (UK) - 13 May 2011
http://www.eboards4all.com/206687/messages/149316.html
Roger Knott: "Big News From A Small Town" CD
"The lyrics by this Hertfordshire-based singer-songwriter
are stellar...it can’t be denied that there is some seriously strong
writing at work"
- Maverick Magazine, November 2010
For his fifth solo album
Hertfordshire-based English singer songwriter Roger Knott has abandoned the
Nashville studios he inhabited for his last couple of albums and recorded
‘Big News from a Small Town’ in London. The sound of Nashville
loomed large over those earlier albums and that pure country sound dominated
the songs. It appears that a change of country and studio has given Knott’s
music a new lease of life.
The thirteen songs on ‘Big News from a Small
Town’ are all originals but are not steeped in that old country sound
that we have come to expect from Knott. If this change in style is totally
down to the change in his surroundings when recording the songs or if Knott
deliberately set out to leave some of his country leanings on this album
is uncertain, but Knott has made the right decision.
There’s a more mature pop sound to this latest
batch of songs ; Knott has made an album of mainly pop/rock songs this time
as opposed to that pure country sound that dominated those earlier albums.
There are very few songs during these 45 minutes
that you wouldn’t want to hear again. In fact there is just one song
that is not up to Knott’s usual high standard, ‘Baby We’re
An Item’ is just too annoyingly catchy to warrant too many plays. It’s
just too sweet and the tune just grates very quickly. Despite that it must
be said that Knott’s and the backing vocals on that track are superb.
But where Knott really shines is on songs which surely must be autobiographical
and which, thankfully, make up the bulk of this album.
The album kicks off with ‘Watermelon Moon’,
which is a jaunty romp with slight country touches where Knott, not for the
last time on this album, looks back on his childhood and place where he grew
up. It’s a catchy piece of mature pop and Knott, who has a distinctive
voice that you can’t help but warm to turns in a good vocal
performance.
‘Young Eyes’ follows and again those
country touches that were to the fore on Knott’s previous albums are
less obvious here despite the strings being the only concession to Nashville
on this album. Lyrically it’s a song about longing for the lost innocence
of youth and Knott easily conjures up images of those “ice-cream
trucks”. It’s this early into the album that you realise that Knott
is not only travelling on a different road musically but by writing lyrics
that are personal and looking back that he’s taken a completely different
route this time.
There’s a distinct English feel to these
songs especially on songs like ‘Tourist Town’ which surprisingly
is the song that harks back most to the country sound we’ve come to
expect from Knott. Comparing the end of a relationship with the closing of
a tourist town for the season gives Knott the chance to prove that lyrically
he has come up with some of his best lines ever, “You made the winter
winds blow in the chill of your goodbye” is a prime example.
‘A Fine Hobby’ is more than likely a
true tale of how Knott has made it in music despite being told it’s
“no way to make a living”. It’s amusing and touching at the
same time. But the following song, ‘Ghost from Your Past’ is probably
the best song that Knott has yet recorded. A former lover returns to try
to destroy a relationship, “We made a vow we would never be untrue…so
tell me what does never mean to you?” sings Knott before launching into
a chorus that is so appealing you’ll be singing it all day. It all ends
in tears of course, but it’s by far the strongest song in this set.
Knott has grown with each album he has released
so far. ‘Big News from a Small Town’, is by far the strongest
collection of songs we heard from him and the change of studio and sound
coupled with a slight theme running through some of the songs makes the whole
album hang together nicely.
So it’s not the album I was expecting from
Knott; it was a surprise to hear less of his country influences but it’s
worked well. One can’t help but wonder if the closing song, ‘Gypsy
Rambler’ which shows a folkier Knott, is a taster for the sound this
talented songwriter will explore further on his next album.
Reviewed By: Malcolm Carter http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=7524
Roger Knott: "Big News From A Small Town"
CD
Home Counties Country boy Roger Knott has been
gathering momentum with a series of low-key releases since 2004, including
catching the attention of US country and folk radio of late. This fifth solo
album finds him in solid form through thirteen crafted songs, taking in as
many of Americana rock’s classic stylistic facets as can logistically
be packed into three quarters of an hour.
It’s clear that thoughtful and literate
Country-hued rock is Knott’s weapon of choice, so it’s heartening
then that his own quirky voice and honest accent are added to the artillery,
instilling these songs with some attractive integrity and real personality.
London production maestro Steve Honest has presented
these personal songs faultlessly, giving them lots of space and punch where
needed, and even adds wonderful pedal steel himself to some of the album’s
most lovelorn, and complexly romantic moments.
‘Tourist Town’s melancholy and evocative
end-of-the-pier Englishness has an affinity to Darren Hayman’s superbly
introspective and nostalgic ‘Great British Holidays’ material.
In a similar vein ‘Frisbee Street’ is packed with loss and
reminiscence. It’s talk of “Post Offices on the corner”, and
its sadness that there are “More antique shops that one street should
allow, the old school is apartments now” carries with it a genuine sense
of curious loss.
Elsewhere, ‘A Fine Hobby’ could have
been penned for The Man In Black, being so deeply rooted in his signature
foot-tapping country style. A light-hearted tale of making a life in music
despite detractors claiming it is “no way to make a living”. The
exuberant ‘One Shot Deal’ seems to be something approximating The
Jayhawks going on holiday with latter-day XTC and cheering them up a bit.
Changing things again, ‘Ghosts From Your Past’, and ‘No
Electricity’ recall, and not for the first time, Peter Blegvad’s
clean poetic rock. Being something of a limited vocalist in the grand scheme
of things, Knott also shares many of Blegvad’s vocal tones and
qualities.
Knott has thrown pretty much every variant of
country-rock at this collection. It is never less than heartfelt, but instead
of a summation of clumsy stylistic imbalance, it gives these 13 songs a subtle
variety, honesty and appeal. Knott is a greatly talented songwriter, and
‘Big News...’ is never less than an enjoyable, pleasingly English,
bulletin.
Ian Fildes
Americana-UK.com
Reviewers Rating: 7 out of 10
Roger Knott: "Big News From A Small
Town"
Date published: 3rd Sep 2010
Skiddle rating: 3/5
Roger Knott is a British singer-songwriter whose influences are decidedly
American. Although Big News from a Small Town features a traditional British
telephone box on its front cover, his points are reference are far more likely
to be Cadillacs and Stetsons than rain and the royal family. Knott’s
music is also very American, with a specific focus on Nashville style country
and western... Compared to Knott’s previous work, this is a more upbeat
and less acoustic record. This is a definite strength... Knott’s lyrics
are another strength; he can certainly turn a phrase and deliver a snappy
line... the hits outnumber the misses on Big News from a Small Town. ‘A
Fine Hobby’, which describes Knott’s musical awakening and the
criticism he has received for pursuing a career in music, is a particular
highlight. The more wistful ‘Ghost From Your Past’ is also among
the stronger tracks, as is the celebratory ‘Baby, We’re an
Item’... Knott’s enthusiasm for his chosen style is evident throughout,
and the result is a polished collection of songs that work well in their
own way.
Reviewed by: Alan Ashton-Smith,
Skiddle.com
Roger Knott: "Been Down That Road" CD
"Give yourself over to the songs…it makes perfect sense" -
R2 Rock'n'Reel Magazine
"Fantastic songwriting ability" -
Maverick Magazine
"A superb piece of work" -
Advertiser
(UK)
FULL
REVIEW
"Thoroughly enjoyable and worth investigating this artist."
- Clown
Magazine
FULL
REVIEW
"The best pure country album I’ve heard all year."
-
pennyblackmusic.co.uk
FULL
REVIEW
"Check him out today because you're in for a real treat."
- Triplestrand productions
FULL
REVIEW
"Another excellent offering ... It's great stuff that he's
been producing out in Nashville!" - Allan Watkiss, presenter,
UKCountryRadio
"It's SUCH a good album ... He's got some great pickers on there" - Lee Williams,
presenter, CMRNashville Radio
"A very great CD with excellent songs.. all tracks are fantastic". - Etienne
"Steve" Berthels , DJ, Radio Terre
Franche
"A very distinctive, unique vocal style" - Stuart Cameron,
UpCountry
Magazine
"A jaunty, observational journey into little America" -
FATEA
Magazine
FULL
REVIEW
=======================================================
"Roger Knott has produced
a smooth Americana/Country album, Been Down That Road that was recorded in
Nashville Tennessee. The music palette has acoustic guitars, accordion, and
a fiddler to make those smooth notes while delivering great standards within
the confines of the Americana/Country sound, Been Down That Road starts the
ball rolling and the next song shows how humour can be used in a clever way
without compromising the integrity of the music, Crazy Rules ‘the waitress
wouldn’t serve me any alcohol. Cos’ I left my ID back at the
hotel.’ The songs are on average three and half minutes long so listening
to unfamiliar music you can easily listen to the end of each song and feel
refreshed from the experience. Thoroughly enjoyable and worth investigating
this artist."
Reviewed By: Rob Clarke - Clown Magazine
http://www.clownmagazine.co.uk/musicextra.html
"This
fourth album from country singer Knott follows the same pattern as his previous
release, ‘Step Out Into The Sun’, in as much as it was again recorded
in Nashville, which is appropriate, but this latest collection is without
the production talents of Clive Gregson; this time Knott has opted for Thomm
Jutz to take the producer’s chair and he has made a pretty good job
of following in Gregson’s footsteps.
I felt that ‘Step Out Into The Sun’
was very much a game of two halves. It appeared that Knott felt more at home
with the more up-tempo songs he opened that album with but it was the slower
songs where his vocals really shone and there was many a time when I programmed
the CD player to skip some of the faster songs in favour of songs such as
the slower ‘The Sound Of Your Name’.
On this collection of twelve originals either
I’ve become more accustomed to Knott’s up-tempo country tunes or
he has slowed down the tempo considerably overall as, like even on the opener,
‘Been Down That Road’, the songs feel that they have more depth,
more substance and while that title song is certainly in Knott’s sing-a-long
country style which predominated his last album I have the feeling that these
songs are going to be played a lot more than those up-tempo songs on ‘Step
Out Into The Sun’. It’s either Knott’s sweet melodies working
their way into my head or, and I believe this is more accurate, that on this
album he has toughened up his sound a little and it is all the better for
that. Maybe putting Jutz in the producer’s chair was an inspired move.
Jutz, of course, played guitars on the last album and takes guitar duties
here too so overall the sound is similar but there is definitely something
about these twelve songs that are going to make them appeal to more than
the die-hard country scene than his previous album did.
One of Knott’s greatest assets has been his
vocals, as soon as you hear him sing it’s undeniably Knott. Making
comparisons is fruitless and to find someone with an original voice in the
type of country music Knott makes these days is rare. Coupled with that,
Knott has lost none of his talent since the making of ‘Step Out Into
The Sun’ of creating long-lasting melodies of the type that within no
time at all you want to sing along to. As with his last collection of songs
Knott’s songs have the ability to bring a little sunshine into even
the darkest of days; the feet start tapping without you realising, you’re
singing along before you know it and Knott has lifted those clouds that were
darkening your day.
The great thing about Knott’s work is that
it makes no demands on the listener, his melodies wrap around you, there’s
this familiar, cosy feeling to the tunes, like you’ve heard them before
somewhere but you know you haven’t and his warm vocals are well suited
to this type of country music.
‘Been Down That Road’ contains some
of the best songs Knott has yet put down on tape, ‘When Love Comes
Around’, ‘Sudden Rain’ and ‘Autograph’ will, some
time in the future surely grace a ‘Best Of Roger Knott’ album.
As with his last album Knott has some star names
helping out ; besides Thomm Jutz, Pat McInerney (who has worked with Nanci
Griffith) is back on drums and LeAnn Etheridge makes a welcome return on
backing vocals ; all this shows in these songs and the fact that they were
recorded in Nashville only makes the sound more authentic.
When reviewing ‘Step Out Into The Sun’
I said that Knott’s music would not appeal to a wide audience, but I’m
going to have to retract that with this latest collection, although his songs
are firmly rooted in that good old country soil because of his vocals and
melodies this album will be interesting to anyone who enjoys pop / folk music
too. I also said in that review that Knott wasn’t going to change the
world with his music. Maybe not, but with ‘Been Down That Road’
he will take you to another world for just over 40 minutes.
‘Been Down That Road’ is the best pure
country album I’ve heard all year."
- Reviewed
By: Malcolm Carter -
www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk
"Been
down That Road" (Leg Room) by London based singer/writer Roger Knott is a
superb piece of work! The twelve original songs, penned by Knott, cannot
be faulted and the delivery is truly excellent. This is not a one-off. For
some years Roger has been working toward an album of this calibre playing
in a variety of guises, solo, duo, band, and recording four previous albums.
It was the 2004 release, "Find Your Wings", produced by former Dolly Parton
steelie Steve Honest, that began opening doors for this burgeoning talent.
The album was heard by respected Nashville drummer Pat McInerney who invited
Roger to record in Tennessee. The invitation was taken up and the result
was the exciting, all original, "Dust and Promises" released in 2006. Knott's
career was moving quickly.
For his next venture into the studios Roger chose
noted producer Clive Gregson to move things forward. The venue was Nashville
and the result was "Step Into The Sun". It was Charlie Daniels' country,
that is, Mount Juliet, Tennessee, that Roger chose for his latest album,
"Been Down That Road" with multi-instrumentalist Thomm Jutz in the producer's
seat. With the quality of the material and with musicians such as Jutz (guitars,
mandolin, Dobro, keys), Pat McInerney (drums), Mark Fain (acoustic bass),
Shad Cobb (fiddle) and Jeff Lisenby (accordion, piano) Roger could not go
wrong – and he doesn't with such marvellous performances as the spiritual,
"Been Down That Road" (my favourite cut), the optimistic "When Love Comes
Round Again" and the story of "Uncle Charlie's Baton". Definitely an album
not to be missed!
- Reviewed by Pete Smith
"The Advertiser"
(UK) 14 August 2009
" Been Down That Road ...is
jam-packed with songs that can only come from his experience as a
singer/songwriter. Having been down that road myself, I could relate to the
subject matters he covered in his songs. Style-wise, Roger sways back and
forth over the borders of genres, writing in anything from contemporary Country
to songs squarely in the folk realm. Add some Americana to that and
you're ready to sit back and be thoroughly entertained while listening to
this CD in a mannner that never repeats or gets stale. The CD was recorded
at TJ Tunes in Mount Juliet, TN and in listening to one song--the quality
of recording speaks for itself.
... A great CD for those people with eclectic tastes, "Been Down That
Road" is sure to become one of the favorite CDs in any discerning music lover's
collection. So check him out today because you're in for a real treat."
- Dixie McCorkell--CEO
Triplestrand productions and
host of "Country Legends In The Making" and "The Americana Collection"--each
show being syndicated to over 400 AM/FM stations around the world.
http://legendsinthemaking.blogspot.com/2008/09/roger-knott-been-down-that-road.html
"Like it's predecessor,
'Been Down That Road' is a jaunty, observational journey into little America.
Whilst love and emotion do raise their head, Knott's strongs are at their
strongest when he's observing slices of life... It's country with an old
timey swing tucked underneath the main sound. Summer days and the world drifting
by." - FATEA Magazine
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Roger Knott: "Step Out Into The Sun" CD
"For his third album Roger Knott
travelled to Nashville and employed the talented Clive Gregson to produce
this collection of fourteen songs that are firmly rooted in the tradition
of ‘old’ country music. It’s quite refreshing actually in
these days when pure country music is hardly produced to hear something as
fresh and natural as the sounds Knott makes here.
There is no trace of alt-country / Americana (or
what it has become in recent times) or new-country here. It’s country
music as it used to be and Knott is adept at writing and singing in that
genre. Gregson is an obvious choice as producer given his recent work with
Nanci Griffith and Pat McInerney and Le Ann Etheridge who also work with
Griffith make contributions here too. It’s something of a country all
- stars show really ; apart from the above the wonderful Cathryn Craig helping
out on backing vocals, Mike Daly (Whiskeytown) adds his lap steel, Jim Hoke
(Emmylou Harris) is there with his flute and saxophone and Thomm Jutz (Mary
Gauthier) plays guitar. With a cast like that you just can’t go wrong.
But no matter how good the musicians and producer
it would be difficult of course to make anything more than a good album if
the songs were not up to standard. Fortunately the songs here are all originals
and Knott is, without any doubt, a top-notch songwriter.
Predominantly singing about the high and lows
of love the opening cut, ‘Call Me Back’ sets out Knott’s stall
nicely; a typical country melody and lyrics dealing with the frustration
of trying to get the attention of the new girl in town. The following song,
‘I Can’t Find Anybody’ is another slice of pure country, with
Daly’s lap steel pushing home that country vibe it’s surely a song
that is going to be a live favourite. That Knott is a talented songwriter
is in no doubt ; the opening three songs all follow the same path of up-tempo
sing a-longs but to some ears a whole album of songs like that opening trio
is maybe a little too much of a good thing. As well played, produced and
sung as they are the thought of fourteen songs following the same pattern
was just a little too sweet.
So it’s with some relief that with track
four, ‘Late Bloom’, Knott slows the tempo down just slightly and
for the first time on this collection his vocals really stand out, there
is more compassion, more feeling in his voice and, although the song again
is a straightforward love song lyrically, that vocal performance and the
slower pace lift the song just a few notches higher than those opening the
album.
But the following song, ‘The Sound Of Your
Name’ is the highlight of the album. Slowing things right down, it’s
a touching tale of losing a perfect love and just proves once again that
while Knott can hold his own when writing and performing the more traditional
up-tempo country songs he really shines when he slows things down; his vocals
are outstanding when he tackles songs taken at a slower pace. Or try another
love lost ballad ‘Good Times Have None To Spare’ for confirmation.
The same thing could be said of the touching tribute that is ‘Seeing
Ireland Again’, another strong melody coupled with yet another strong
vocal performance.
Having said that Knott excels with his slower
songs there is no denying that it’s hard to listen to ‘The Devil
Riding By’ without wishing to sing along even when in the darkest of
moods.
‘Step Out Into The Sun’ is not going
to change the world, it’s not going to appeal to a wide audience but
what it does is confirm is that in Roger Knott we have a singer-songwriter
who is making outstanding music in a genre that is sadly overlooked these
days. For the most part it’s a feel-good collection of songs which certainly
lifted my mood when I listened to it for the first time and hasn’t failed
to bring a little sun into my life with each play."
Reviewed By: Malcolm Carter -
pennyblackmusic.co.uk
http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=5443
Roger Knott: "Step Out Into The Sun" CD
Staff Rating: 8.0 out of
10. "There is a wellspring of musical talent in and around Nashville
that is seemingly bottomless. For every so-called star that gains even a
hint of prominence, there are easily ten others who should be huge, and are
not, for one reason or not. Roger Knott would be one of those; it
may be that his high, pleasant vocals are not to a mogul’s liking, or
his looks do not fit into some preconceived notion of what this month’s
model should look like, or tracks like the exquisite The Sound of Your
Name from Step Out Into the Sun don’t fit into the
play list of terrestrial country radio. No matter. Step Out Into the
Sun is a beautiful piece of work, worth listening to repeatedly.
Step Out Into the Sun is Knott’s
third CD (to my knowledge), and this time around he has Clive Gregson along
on both sides of the console, producing and playing guitar and keys. A word
about Gregson: he is the consummate musician, whether fronting Any Trouble
or as the sideman for such stalwarts as Nanci Griffith. The trademark of
his production is that he has none; he is able to bring the strength and
sound out of whatever artist he is producing without etching his own name
into the sidewalk, as it were. As a sideman, his playing supports and buttresses
the featured performer. The result, on such tracks as The Devil Riding
By, is that Knott and his carefully selected side musicians sound as
if they are in your living room, or car, or office, wherever you happen to
be listening to Step Out Into the Sun.
Knott’s music is informed by equal parts
country and folk, with some Celtic influence infused throughout. The result
is an upbeat, bouncy, pop effect, nothing loud or intrusive or invasive.
Think McCartney, or some of The Cyrkle’s more upbeat tunes. That is
not to say that all is sweetness and light; Good Times Have None To
Spare is one of the saddest songs I’ve heard in awhile, a quiet,
subtle tome of loss and regret that I keep playing over and over again, not
because I identify with it but simply because it is so well done. The real
sorrow, however, is that Knott is not the household name he ought to be.
Perhaps Step Out Into the Sun will change that."
Written by: Joe Hartlaub - music-reviewer.com http://www.music-reviewer.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1228&Itemid=175
Roger Knott: "Step Out Into The Sun" CD
"If there were any believers left in the myth that Brits can't do country, then "Step Out Into The Sun" should nail that lie once and for all. Roger Knott's latest may have been recorded in Nashville, with the likes of Le Ann Etheridge, Pat McInerney and Thomm Jutz, but, Knott's writing and Clive Gregson's production are both home grown. The critical thing is that on a blind hearing, it sounds country, it has it's own distinct sound, but would be at home on any country station anywhere in the world. Knott has got this spot on and capable of sitting next to the local stuff."
fatea-records.co.uk
http://www.fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/releasesy.html
Roger Knott: "Find Your Wings" CD
"Roger Knott returns with a relaxed acoustically based
album of new songs. Opening with Catch Me On A Good Day, with its
immediately memorable chorus, the tone is set for a collection that evokes
the great summer outdoors. Summer Flower is pure Paul Simon prettiness,
and Una Vida Mejor, with its subtle addition of strings becomes one
of the album's strongest points...
The acoustic guitar bed throughout the album, with additions of mandolin
and steel guitar on some tracks, add a warm glow, especially on the closing
instrumental Journey's End... A good summery groove - pass the wine!
"
- Kingsley Abbott (popular music author and contributor to
Mojo, Record Collector)– November 2004
Roger Knott: "Dust And Promises" CD
" (The Story of Lead Belly) ... is accurate in fact and genuine in expression" - Sean Killeen, Lead Belly Society
