So when listening on “shuffle” you find some great tracks that you missed listening to and realize that you need to listen to it more.  This came across this when A. J. Roach’s “Sears & Roebuck Suit” made an appearance as I accidentally sorted my music library alphabetically.  It was a nice surprise when listening to both A. Weather and then getting A. J. Roach – true story.  For now, let’s stick to A. J.

So I took a closer look at this Mr. Roach (as I was not a blogger when originally started listening, so I wasn’t “thinking like a blogger” when I first was introduced to Roach).  After reading a bit, it seems like he is one of the hardest working troubadours in the business!  His website tells of years of touring, hundreds of thousands of miles of travel during that touring and a couple of albums recorded/released during that time!

Backstory:

Roach was raised in the deep hollows of mountainous Scott County, Virginia, home of such legendary acts as The Carter Family and the Stanley Brothers. Growing up, AJ was fed a steady diet of bluegrass and traditional mountain music that strongly flavors his own vivid and haunting, yet contemporary tunes.

Roach’s music brings us that Alt-Country (for those who can’t admit to liking Country) and true Americana feeling.  A true sign of quality is that his songs and music seem to carry a weight at times, the message almost a burden to be lifted and you can fall deep inside its simple message and harmony.  You can find examples of this longing on both “Sears & Roebuck Suit” and “Temporary” that are included below.

Roach has two full length releases to date: 2003’s “Dogwood Winter” and 2007’s “Revelation”.  His debut album has more traditional folk Americana with his Sophomoric release bringing a bit more contemporary sound to his craft.  While the heart of A. J. Roach is located in the back country porches of the South, I think he is growing his sound.  You can hear a bit more of a modern sound in his “lo-fi” project “The Poplar Tree” – while it might be “lo-fi” it is less roots than say his “Dogwood Winter” album.  I am still deciding on it, possibly because his previous work hit home for me.

If you get a chance, please visit his Website (more music to sample) or his MySpace Page.
Pick up an album on CD Baby: “Dogwood Winter” and “Revelation”

~Smansmith