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As if there aren’t enough acoustic guitarists trying to serenade their way into tired CD players everywhere – or so I thought before going to this week’s Java Jive. where UMaine’s Rob Roy played an eclectic mix of originals and covers.
He started off with “Sweet Sympathy,” one of his original songs. He then started into Jack Johnson’s “Rodeo Clowns.” About half-way through, he stopped playing, apologized to the crowd for the song choice, and started a new song. The audience laughed, and seemed to get more into his music as the set went on.
It was nice to see a performer actually gauge the audience and not be afraid to react accordingly. He played with the energy of Marc Broussard, and vocals comparable at times to Rob Thomas.
His cover songs were impressive, but his originals had an appeal all their own. He introduced many of them. No two songs were similar enough to seem identical, as is annoyingly common among the repertoire of so many other acoustic guitarists these days.
Roy had an impressive onstage presence. He said he felt awful, but for the most part, played very well. Not only was the audience into the music, but they also laughed at his random comments- with topics ranging from songs about potato farmers to getting drunk. When he broke a string, he finished the song he was on, switched guitars, then kept right on playing. He seemed confident and comfortable on stage.
I was reluctant to leave after hearing such a strong ending – “All Along the Watchtower.” Some people cheered in recognition as he began, and by the end, everyone was struck by how Roy finished off the night. Dylan would have been proud to be there watching.
Bangor Daily News