What can I say. I'm an RT freak. But it wasn't always that way. Back in 1983, I'd barely heard of the guy. Then I taped SOTL from a friend, because of all the critical acclaim. At first it didn't do much for me. I played the tape a few times and then it sat there for quite some time. But I kept coming back to it periodically. Over time it grew on me. Then I heard "Small Town Romance," the solo acoustic album (which I think is back in print again after being gone for a number of years--RT apparently is embarrassed by this album and refused to let it come back in print for a number of years--something I can't really understand). This album is really simple, just RT and guitar. But it really got me. The songs just shine through. RT's voice is an acquired taste. But it really works for his songs. I think he sounds better singing even the songs that LT sang on the duo albums. Then there is his amazing guitar playing. Check out the first tune "Time to Ring Some Changes." Well after that, I was hooked. I moved on to other albums and concert bootlegs and the whole thing. The guy rules my roost. He is one of the few 60s artists who has kept getting better over time (listen carefully, the guy is a better singer now than he was even ten years ago; he also keeps growing as a guitarist). That is an accomplishment. Just think about Eric Clapton or even Dylan and I think you'll see where I'm coming from. I don't say this often, because I usually up or down things on a few listens and I rarely change my mind after that, so I'm sympathetic with that approach, but RT deserves repeated listenings, even if you don't like it or get it at first. That might mean giving SOTL 15-20 listens (I know that's extreme, but this is one of the few artists who is worth the trouble IMHO). There are few people I know who have not come to appreciate his genius if they give it a chance. But beware. Once you get it, you will never shake it. It's a vicious addiction. I went through a few years in the early 90s where RT was the only music that made me feel right. Everything else pretty much seemed like shit by comparison (thank god Neil Young put out that Ragged Glory or whatever it was called and the first UT album came out followed by the that guitar rockin Mathew Sweet album "Girlfriend"; it was really starting to bum me out feeling like all new rock and pop music was shit; fortunately I've gotten my faith back since then). Anyway just one guy's humble opinion. Hope this finds you all well. Jake London
