With folky show, Oates returns to roots

By JOHN BENSON

entertainment@vindy.com

After decades away, singer-guitarist John Oates (one half of popular pop-soul outfit Hall & Oates) returns to Kent with a solo show Thursday at the Kent Stage.

“I know we played Kent at least one or two times, especially in the ’70s,” said Oates, calling from somewhere in Colorado. “Back then we did a lot of college tours with Kent [State University] being special with the tragic situation and the National Guard. I think in a way, it galvanized that movement and showed that there was a movement that was willing to stand up for itself, not unlike what happened with the election of [President] Obama, of course in more of a pacifistic way. So it was an important part of American cultural history.”

Also an important part of American culture, musically speaking, is the New York City native’s main band Hall & Oates, which is listed as the biggest-selling duo of all time with hit songs such as “Sara Smile,” “You Make My Dreams,” “She’s Gone,” “I Can’t Go For That [No Can Do],” “Maneater” and more. That band is at an interesting place with its legacy allowing the twosome to tour whenever it wants and explore other projects. While his partner, Daryl Hall, is focused on his monthly Webcasts under the name “Live from Daryl’s House,” Oates recently released his second solo effort, “1000 Miles of Life,” which features guest appearances by Bela Fleck, Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas.

“It’s a very personal album for me, especially the lyrics,” Oates said. “There were things going on in my life, and I think this time I just wanted to make a grown-up album. It’s an album that’s very mature. It’s not about pop songs. I think I’ve written my share and I feel I’m known for pop stuff I’ve done over the years, but at the same time, I felt there was a side to my songwriting the public has never really heard and wasn’t aware of.”

For most artists involved in a band, the solo project is often an unabashedly self-indulgent affair, with Oates’ album definitely fitting that bill. The 60-year-old makes no bones that his intimate tour may catch some Hall & Oates fans off guard; however, he’s banking on them enjoying a different side of John Oates.

“I have a percussionist with me and it’s very acoustic in style,” Oates said. “Also, I have this amazing guitar player named Pete Huttlinger. He’s a virtuoso. So it’s a trio basically, and it’s a friendly type of show. I talk to the audience. They talk to me. It’s really like I have a big repertoire, and whatever happens, happens. I do Hall & Oates songs and tell the stories behind them. And then I go and do a lot of traditional folk and folk blues like Mississippi John Hurt and Doc Watson. All of this stuff I grew up on as a kid. So it’s kind of a chance for me to return to my roots, really. It’s a real contrast to a Hall & Oates show, which involves a lot of personnel and equipment.”

He added, “What I’m trying to do is quite an eclectic thing. If you like folk music and folk blues, I think you’ll be thrilled.”