Roy Rogers’ name isn’t often included on lists and rankings of best guitarists, slide or otherwise, but it should be. With a significant discography on his resume–including the accessible but authentic likes of 1996’s Rhythm & Groove and Slide of Hand three years prior–he can also take credit for productions including Ramblin’ Jack Elliot and John Lee Hooker (in whose band he played for some years). Engaging in such varied activities, the man named after the ‘Singing Cowboy’ has redefined the term ‘musician’s musician’ and, accordingly, California native Rogers’ devotion to the blues is virtually without peer, technically and otherwise. Meanwhile, his willingness to stretch the boundaries of the genre’s multiple styles–hear Pleasure And Pain in particular–is proof positive of the eternal appeal of such music, not to mention the deep well of inspiration it represents (as captured on this performance video).
