Arlen Roth – Playing Out the String
Many musicians in the industry consistently put their signature on famous songs or enhance an otherwise mediocre song with their solos, or accompaniment. Recently, British guitarist Vito Flick passed away. He played guitar on the instantly recognizable James Bond theme. Chuck Berghofer who laid down the descending quarter-tone double bass that was so memorable on Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made For Walking” is still unknown for it.
Arlen Roth is one such guitarist. He contributed to recordings by Simon & Garfunkel, John Prine, Phoebe Snow, Bob Dylan, the Bee Gees, Don McLean, Levon Helm, Ry Cooder, Duane Eddy, Janis Ian, Dusty Springfield, Johnny Winter, and John Sebastian—well, you get the picture.
He was also the consultant & teacher to actor Ralph Macchio for the legendary blues film “Crossroads.” So, despite having recorded 20 solo LPs, this outing is his 5th all-acoustic rootsy offering on Playing Out the String (Dropped Sept. 27/Aquinnah Records/36:26). Recorded in Brewster, NY the set was produced by Alex Salzman (keyboards/bass) & Arlen (acoustic guitars/slide guitar/mandolin & vocals).
Eleven tunes were brought back from the dead by Arlen. Old folk tunes like the Rooftop Singer’s “Walk Right In,” Norman Blake’s “Church Street Blues,” the classic Roy Orbison tune “Blue Bayou,” some Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Townes Van Zandt, Fred Neil & Louis Jordan. Allen Toussaint’s ‘60s hit for trumpeter Al Hirt’s “Java,” & the old Willie Dixon-Ellis McDaniel’s “Diddy Wah Diddy” (where Arlen sounds like Randy Newman).
What’s cool about Arlen is that he looks like a wise, mad scientist grandfather who should be playing solitaire, walking his dog & drinking a glass of wine. Instead, he still has fire in his fingers & acute creativity in every guitar he picks up. Some love never dies out.
It’s always intriguing to hear old nuggets revitalized. I was born the same year & month as Arlen though I’m a few weeks older. We must’ve listened to the same songs on the radio. Like the Rooftop Singers hit “Walk Right In.” The secret to that tune is to not sing with much emphasis. Erik Darling & his cohorts made it fanciful. Arlen duplicates this effort with clarity & his informal arrangement retains the magic.
Some singers require range & power but Arlen’s laid-back rootsy voice offers a warm authenticity. While Roy Orbison & Joe Melson’s “Blue Bayou” was always a beautiful mournful song Arlen unlocks its haunting early morning misty melody with his subtle notes distilled charmingly if not a little Southern-Gothic. No arthritis was detected in these fingers – not at all.
Highlights – “Walk Right In,” “Blue Bayou,” “Gonna Move Across the River,” “You Can’t Get That Stuff No More,” “Diddy Wah Diddy” & “Playing Out the String.”
Color image courtesy of Diana Dickinson. CD @ Amazon & https://www.arlenroth.com/
Having known Arlen for over 50 years I can attest he gets better and better every day.