BLUEGRASS UNLIMITED, March 1993:

ROGER WILLIAMS
Route 2 to Amherst

Here is a pleasant collection of all-instrumental bluegrass from a New England dobroist who exhibits total authority of that instrument. While Roger Williams may not be a household name among bluegrass aficionados, his music has a universal message. In reality, Roger describes his instrument as a "R.Q. Jones Resophonic Guitar," but whatever the name, Rt. 2 to Amherst is a scrumptious journey through the bluegrass genre New England style. Roger has included no less than five of his own compositions, with titles such as "Hard Times, Over Easy," "Bus Bounce," "Jonathan's Lullaby" and the album's title song. His style has a strong stroke of originality. Of particular interest is his instrumental version of the ancient Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper heart song, "No One Now." Williams is deftly supported by Raymond Legere (bass, mandolin, fiddle and guitar) and Frank Doody (banjo) accompanied by a significant garnishing of studio overdubbing. Legere enjoys double duty as the album's engineer and co-producer. The results are an abounding morsel of bluegrass musicana complete with a slight contemporary flavoring. For anyone seeking solid bluegrass instrumentals with a masterful dobroist in the forefront, Rt. 2 to Amherst is truly a delightful musical tidbit.