Since being directed to Ron Armstrong's CD, Just Around The Bend , it has become akin to a constant companion. It's a matter of simply loving Ron's music and groove. It's Rock, it's Blues, it's Country and there's Soul and R&B in evidence...what now is tagged as Americana . Anyone with the hipness to cover Bob Dylan , Jimmy Reed, and Willie Dixon gets my vote. But Ron's versions go way beyond imitation... it's interpretation. The originals are equally rewarding. Absorb the narrative sweep of Fences and let the lyrical thrust seep in. What emerges is almost a condensed version of Steinbeck's Travels With Charley , but with a Rock n' Roll groove. Ron has lived this stuff and it reflects in the music...an artist who writes and sings of real life and real things. Just Around The Bend is an opus aided by class players (Steve Duncan, Will Ray, Jerry Raney, John Davis and the always great Joel Scott Hill). And why not? Ron Armstrong is a class artist..the real thing indeed.
Reviewer: Michael Macdonald , Victoria , Australia
Ron Armstrong stands as a piece of Rock n' Roll history, yet he is a recently opened vault, chock-full of rockin' Alternative Country/ Americana/ Roots Rock heart and soul.
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Reviewer: Jerry Raney, San Diego, CA
www.beatfarmers.com
Ron Armstrong's singing style is without a doubt unparalleled and assuredly brings about differences of opinion. For the vocalist's honor it must be said that he really doesn't hesitate bringing forth his self-dependent style. Instead, he does exactly what he wants, then transfers the responsibility for interpretation to the listener.
Just Around The Bend's genre is definitely one of those in-betweens. It can't be unambiguously categorized as blues, rock n' roll, country, or even a country-rock album. The clichéd term, ' americana ', is also far from illuminating in this case. Anyway, we are talking about a very delightful piece which is certainly worthy of checking out. Do we even need more characterizing?
Reviewer: Pete Hoppula , Editor, Blues News Magazine , Finland http://www.bluesnews.fi/levyarvio_ronarmstrong.htm
For indie music fans that are ready to be wowed by covers such as Dylan’s Just Like a Woman, or Chuck Berry’s You Can’t Catch Me, then Ron Armstrong’s Just Around the Bend may be just what they may be looking for. This new CD release by Armstrong, aside from the aforementioned covers, is full of some of the most outstanding original material by an artist performed by his unique vocals and keyboard style. He has lived what he performs in his music, and on this particular album, it certainly shows.
Reviewer: L. Anne Carrington, Pittsburg, PA , I ndie Music Stop http://www.IndieMusicStop.com
Reviewer:Â Richard J Lynch, Ringwood, New Jerseywww.Kweevak.com & www.SoundPress.net Â
I admit I was first drawn to this album by the audacity of a man who would show himself in three pictures starting with that military uniform. I expected to find a political statement on the album. After several times listening all the way through Ron Armstrong's Just Around The Bend, I don't know a thing about his politics. Alls I know is, he served his country and he feels a song when he sings it… makes me feel it too. I think he's got that special look of a man knowing who the hell he is. He's not selling nonsense, and isn't playing.
Reviewer: Billy Sheppard, Los Angeles, CA
http://www.myspace.com/billysheppard23
Reviewer: Roberto Lupercio, Rock Evolucion Radio Show, Calexico, CA
http://suruabc.uabc.mx/mxl.m3u or http://sur.uabc.mx/
The (your) CD is super. I have listened to it over a dozen times.
Reviewer: Charlotte Beer, Los Angeles / London, UK