Roger Street Friedman - Long Shadows (2025) Hi-Res

The ever-reliable Roger Street Friedman delivers yet another 10 originals in his indomitable style. The LP was produced by Roger with Justin Guip (drums) & recorded in Sea Cliff & Milan, New York.

Long Shadows finds Roger on target with his 5th studio LP. Penetrating rock n’ roll, a splash of blues & country, a pinch of folk, a spray of Americana & a whole lot of invigorating storytelling fattens up the well-arranged songs.

Friedman (vocals/acoustic & electric guitars/mandolin/bgv) touches upon the complexities of relationships with the poetic lyricism of 1970s Laurel Canyon songwriters where folk, rock & pop music came together seamlessly. Roger understands the importance of the past, the human experience with all its emotions new & old tainted by confused feelings that nestle their way firmly into any average person’s conscience, heart & mind.

The lead-off “Rolling In Again” & the light-touch of “The Land of the Leaf Blower & the Mighty SUV” has a dominant vocal much like new wave rocker turned country composer Robert Ellis Orrall (“Tell Me If It Hurts”) & the music on “the leaf blower” song is bright & upbeat as the late Clifford T. Ward (“Wherewithal,” “Gaye”). Roger manages his balladry with poignancy as depicted in “I Think We Know.” There are certain artists who don’t need to rely on vocal trickery, showboating, or theatrics. Their material has character, their voices have personality & their fingers control the melodic urgency.

Friedman has all of this working for him. While his voice is not as raw as John Hiatt this is the stylization & creativity that Friedman pulls from & supplements with his own tenderly etched melodic lines. As far as songwriting there are moments when a sharp ear will hear the Cole Porter-Hoagy Carmichael touches (“Give It All Away For Free”). This tune is rooted in another era with a genuine feel for crafty lyrics woven together Tin Pan Alley-like with careful notes. The “I Get a Kick Out of You” strains & the “Hong Kong Blues” cleverness. It’s there.

With “The Banks of the Brazos” we go knee-deep into Jon Dee Graham, the late Kinky Friedman & Los Lobos territory. Atmospheric & moody. Conveyed with a swampy noir darkness. Female vocals are a nice haunting touch. A compelling album.