The Longshot Gambler

By Sarah Seehafer

Head Carrouser Roy Bob hails from Omro, Wisconsin, though his band’s musical
roots seem to spread all around. With local legend musicians such as Dave Steffen,
Darryl St. John and Tommy Greywolf (fiddler formerly with Brooks & Dunn), this is a band that will blow your country-loving mind.

Roy Bob & The Carrousers latest album The Longshot Gambler has yet to be released to the world, but I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the album’s rough-cut version. Roy Bob and his band are indeed no strangers to the world of country music, especially in a time where country music as a whole is on such a fine line between
country and pop. Roy Bob & The Carrousers seem to know where that line is drawn and stay off the pop side.

The album starts out on a very positive note, which seems to be their title track tune. “The Longest Gambler” is smart and musically pleasing to the ears. It’s very much what you would expect to hear from a country band that has been in the game for many years.

The second track, “The Diggy Dang Song,” threw me for a loop. Despite the fact that the headline on the band’s MySpace page currently reads “Home of The Diggy Dang Song,” I couldn’t help but notice it was very out of place, especially after such a strong first track. To be blunt, it wasn’t what I would expect from a sophomore album, though I imagine it is a song they get down to at live shows.

The album as a whole proceeded to get better track after track, despite the fact that one of the tracks was a Rolling Stones cover, “Ruby Tuesday.” Covers are so bittersweet. They are an enigma in which no one may ever know why they get more attention than original songs, but they do and it can be a blessing and a curse. As a wise man once told me, if you’re going to cover a song, “Ruby Tuesday” is definitely a good pick.

Musically speaking, Roy Bob & The Carrousers are extremely impressive. Each instrument stands out on its own, thanks to the artists that play them (which is a whole lot of artists, by the way). With such a plethora of instruments being played at the same time, it could sound like brass in a blender, but it is far from it. It is genuinely good music.

Roy Bob’s voice was also a standout for me. Though the album did contain a few songs with more talking versus singing, the singing from Roy Bob was very smooth and
original.  Definitely something any music lover can enjoy.

Roy Bob & The Carrousers include: Roy Bob Brown on lead vocals, drums
and sound effects; Dave Steffen on vocals, Stratocaster, acoustic and
nylon-string guitars; Darryl St. John, acoustic, vocals and 12-string; Craig Neuser on bass and vocals; Tommy Greywolf, fiddle and vocals; Joe Litjens on bass and sound production; Sara Mae, vocals; Nathan Wolff, vocals; Bobby Evans, Jeff Johnston, Bill Engel and Jody Vanesky.

You can get more information regarding Roy Bob & The Carrousers at myspace.com/roybobthenorthcountrycarrousers. From what I hear, a website is in the works, too.

Live at Knebworth 2CD

20^th Anniversary re-issue

Various Artists

Eagle Rock Entertainment

By Jane Spietz

Nicknamed “the best British rock concert of all time,” this 1990 music extravaganza was a benefit for the BRIT School of Performing Arts and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy. Fans poured into Knebworth House in England to hear music greats such as Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Pink Floyd, Dire Straits, Robert Plant, Phil Collins, Genesis, Tears For Fears, Cliff Richard & the Shadows and Status Quo.

These musicians were selected because they had been winners of the Nordoff-Robbins Silver Clef Award, which recognizes performers that make outstanding contributions to the British music industry. Nordoff-Robbins is a charity that “specializes in transforming the lives of children and adults constrained by illness, disability, trauma or isolation, through the power of music.” The BRIT School is Britain’s only free Performing Arts and Technology School.

There is a little something for everyone here. Clapton delivers a juicy, funked-up variation of “Sunshine Of Your Love.” Phil Collins leads Genesis through an entertaining “Turn It On Again” medley, which includes an interesting combination of covers such as “Satisfaction,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin‘” and “Pinball Wizard.”

Paul McCartney’s 45-minute set consists of an exceptionally inspirational performance of “Hey Jude” and a bouncy version of “Coming Up.” Dire Straits dispenses an intense blues experience with “Think I Love You Too Much.” Jimmy Page rocks it hard with Robert Plant on Led Zep’s “Wearing and Tearing.”

Veteran and newer rockers will be captivated by the extended versions of great classics by some of the masters in this two CD collection.