Americana visionary Rocky Roberts stays true to form on his new EP Pieces Of Time and single Buck Moon — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
Having retired from working his day job as a touring guitar tech for the likes of Neil Young, Wilco, Patti Smith, CSNY, Paul Simon, Lucinda Williams and My Morning Jacket, Rocky is busy at work creating his own authentic mix of roots, country, folk-rock and Americana.
Rocky’s music is soulful, raw and genuine — it demands to be shared with an A-list group of collaborators who he’s honored to call friends. It’s no wonder that the EP’s instantly memorable lead single Buck Moon is a duet with the incomparable Norah Jones, featuring Carl Broemel on guitar.
“Buck Moon is an ode to all the great side men/women I had the honour to serve,” Roberts says. “Originally a poem written for a memorial to Ben Keith, the amazing pedal steel player for Neil Young, oh, and Patsy Cline! I put it to music and was so lucky to have Norah Jones sing along with me. Carl Broemel (My Morning Jacket) also joined the party on guitar and pedal steel.”
The EP also features Wild Riders, a rollicking song about the gang of nomads that drove the dayglow buses of the Hog Farm in the ’60’s and ’70s. “Wild and worthy souls that kept the caravan moving.” says Rocky. Party Line is an autobiographical ode to Rocky’s sister, originally written in 1973. Last on the tracklist is the majestic Tomales Bay.
“Tomales Bay, on the coast of Marin County California, was home to my first stage band Aces & Eights,” Rocky recalls. “Many great nights at the Marshall Tavern and Rancho Nicasio back then. I first met Bill Kirchen there when his partner Louise sang in Aces & Eights. So right to have Bill picking the guitar on this!
“Most of my playing has been in between years as a guitar tech for some pretty great musicians. Even have had the good fortune to fool around playing with many of them. Later in the 70’s I joined Aces & Eights. We got to open for Commander Cody, Asleep at the Wheel, New Riders of the Purple Sage and other wacky country rockers. Pretty heady days!
“The last few years has been a combo of Rocky & Friends shows, occasionally getting to open for the likes of Bill Kirchen, Richey Furay of The Buffalo Springfield and Pegi Young & the Survivors at the Iron Horse Saloon. Some festivals and up on the Island of Wolves with Chris and the gang. In the years of the iso-demic, I was fortunate to have a great circle of friends on my block with a studio and their voices to record this new EP of four songs.”
Pieces Of Time was produced by Hugh Christopher Brown and Rocky Roberts. The cover art was done by Linda Parker. Listen to Buck Moon above, check out Pieces Of Time when it lands on streaming services May 5, and follow Rocky Roberts & Friends on Facebook and Instagram.
