by Brian D. Holland.

Toolin’ Around Woodstock, by guitarist Arlen Roth and special guest Levon Helm, also featuring Sonny Landreth, Bill Kirchen, and others, is a fine collection of contemporary American roots songs and two originals. Celebrated guitar teacher and originator of the "Hot Licks" videos, the upper state New York "Master of the Telecaster" doesn’t release CDs all that often, so those familiar with his incredible talent and vast knowledge of the instrument know it to be a delightful and long-awaited event. Though the album’s vocals are basically split between Roth, Helm, and Kirchen, daughters Lexie Roth and Amy Helm add nice touches to some of the tunes, in both a lead and background capacity. A wonderful supplement to the special edition CD is the added DVD of takes from the session process, recorded at Levon Helm’s studio in Woodstock, New York.

Included are three Chuck Berry numbers, the first being the album’s icebreaker, "Sweet Little Sixteen." Surrounded in sizzling six-string licks and driving rhythms, Helm belts out the Berry lyric in memorable vocal resonance. The perfectly executed classic hit is an ideal start to the rest of the album, as its variety in voice and instrumentation is an affable example of the amalgamation of originality and the classic, a pleasant quality most of the album possesses. The other two Berry covers, "Don’t Lie To Me" and "Deep Feeling," are superb choices and excellent guitar-oriented songs as well. Excluding the classic opener of course, it’s nice to hear Chuck Berry covers that haven’t been as overexposed through the years as some of the others, performed in dissimilar styles that enhance the overall diversity of the album. "Don’t Lie To Me" possesses an amazing Keith Richards air to it, not only in style, but in the Arlen Roth vocal as well. It rocks steadily and vibrantly along, and is awash with brisk guitar licks and chops. "Deep Feeling," featuring Roth and Landreth on slide guitar, is an excellent instrumental choice because of its slide guitar attribute. As good as the whole record is, one can’t help wishing that these two brilliant players would record a whole album together. Another to substantiate that opinion is the Roth original, "Tumblin’," in which both players get down and dirty in a "train is a coming" mode. They’re amazingly in sync and in each other’s mind throughout. It’s totally magical.

Listen to "Tumblin'" from Toolin' Around Woodstock

Though "Sleepwalk" is a beautifully executed instrumental, Dylan’s "Ballad Of A Thin Man" as well, "Unchained Melody" is the exemplary Arlen Roth instrumental on this one. Purely a mystical display of the Roth Telecaster technique, complete with volume manipulation, note bends, and soaring melody, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit to discover that both Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton were smiling down as this one was recorded. In addition, Lexie Roth’s faint background vocal at the song’s end is hauntingly beautiful. "Gas Station Frustration" is a Roth original highlighting both Arlen and Bill Kirchen. The enthusiastic, rocked-up number is on the enclosed DVD as well, and is certainly well worth the view.

The DVD presents Roth, Helm, and the others conversing and performing in a laidback and informal atmosphere. It includes footage of the musicians working and figuring out sections of the material in both an interesting and entertaining manner. Close-ups of Sonny Landreth playing slide on his Strat, Arlen doing an individual take with his signature flamed Warren guitar, moments of gratification while relaxing and listening to a finished recording of "Matchbox" are just some of the footage included on the DVD. As the inner booklet reads, it’s a DVD and CD of music with a "let’s sit around the microphone and roll the machine" informality. The takes of Buck Owen’s "Cryin’ Time" near the end of the DVD sheds an ethereal ambiance, transporting the listener back to a different era.

Toolin’ Around Woodstock is resplendent with skilled musicianship and memorable songs. Basically a comprehensive and outstanding CD on its own, the DVD is the icing on the cake for those interested in viewing what went down in the studio.

Toolin’ Around Woodstock Track Listing

1. Sweet Little Sixteen
2. Games People Play
3. Ballad Of A Thin Man
4. Matchbox
5. Sleepwalk
6. Cryin’ Time
7. Tumblin’
8. Nightlife
9. Gas Station Frustration
10. Unchained Melody
11. Burnt Child
12. Don’t Lie To Me
13. Just One Look
14. Deep Feeling

Aquinnah Records 2008
CD/DVD

Links:
Arlen Roth
Toolin' Around Woodstock on Amazon.com