To David Roth fans around the world, you’ll be glad to know that Dave’s latest, Last Day on This Earth is classic David. With his usual panache, musicality and humor, David delivers a new set of socially conscious, thought provoking songs with messages of hope, empowerment and personal transformation.
But don’t confuse these messages with the old protest songs from Folk’s renaissance. The closest thing to a gripe on this CD is the tongue in cheek opening song that wryly asks, “Is It Too Much to Ask” … (fill in the blank.) But like a good stand-up comic, David simply observes and offers suggestions to the problems of the world.
Most of David Roth’s albums are narratives on the day’s social and political issues and Last Day is no exception. Defender of the downtrodden, advocate of justice and fairness, David ever so diligently grabs emotions from the world around him and puts them into a personal narrative – not preachy – Dave simply says, “This is how I see it.”
And “see” he does. David Roth has traveled the world playing in the vicinity of 200 shows a year, making friends in different countries, and cultures and even mixing in church gigs and sermons at various faith centers. All but one of the songs on Last Day were co-written. As he says in his liner notes, “this is a newer exploration for me.” but an exploration that adds yet another dimension to his already chasmic world view.
This collection is evenly produced with mellow, very easy listening production and a bevy of acoustic instruments including guitar, ukulele, clarinet, finger drums, Native American flute, mandolin, fiddle, and of course the beautifully blended voices of Dave, Sloan Wainwright, and Glen Roethel. David’s songwriting collaborators include Anne Hills, Karen Drucker, JD Martin, Sloan Wainwright, Reggie Harris, Megon McDonough, Glen Roethel, Roger Tomhave, Freebo, and Faith Rivera.
Although, this album could be easily played in the background of a workday or social gathering, to set a calm and peaceful vibe, the real gems, as in all great positive music, are in the lyrics. Last Day is best enjoyed with a dedicated and focused listening to the messages it imparts. With sing along choruses and memorable hooks, think of it as a 48 minute Sunday morning sermon at the Church of Roth.
Highlights:
Home of the Brave (with Karen Drucker and JD Martin) – A powerful statement of unity for Americans and our immigrant brothers and sisters.
Some People Say (with Reggie Harris) – a song of encouragement and a suggestion of how to handle the fear and doubt permeating our country today.
Taking Our Turns (with Megon McDonough) – a poignant description of the personal sharing that takes place at an AA meeting.
How Many Ways (with Glen Roethel) provides a mantra in the form of a question – “How many ways can I be grateful?”
Change the Laws (with Roger Tomhave) – an urgent plea to our public servants and to voters for change – in this case, to our gun laws.
Trail of Tears (with Freebo) – David has always had a penchant for story songs. In Trail of Tears he combines the story of the Irish potato famine of 1845 with the inhumane relocation of the Choctaw Indians in 1830. Listen and learn!
My Voice Matters – a candle-holding, unifying waltz that will have a group of any configuration swaying and singing together.