Rob with Buddy Cage
Rob with James Montgomery
Rob with Lifelong Musical Friend Klem Klimek
Rizzz

Original Songs of Rob Raroux

Robert has recorded a total of 87 original songs, ranging widely in musical style and topic, spread among seven (7) different albums. All of the music represents Rob's compositions under the stage name of "Rob Raroux." These recordings feature numerous gifted musicians listed earlier in the bio provided on the home page.
In addition to the fine musical artists listed on the home page, the recordings include many other talented local musicians from Rhode Island and Connecticut. While an exhaustive listing here isn’t possible, some of these local artists include the critically-acclaimed folk duo Atwater-Donnelly, and several other master musicians: Marty Ballou (bass), Kevin Fallon (fiddle/violin), Cathy Clasper-Torch (cello), Chris Turner (harmonica), Martin Grosswendt (acoustic guitar/dobro), Steve Burke and Richard Reed (piano/organ/accordion), and Klem Klimek (saxophone). Also included are several stellar guest lead vocalists: Kim Trusty, Aubrey Atwater, Amy Gallatin, Klem Klimek, and Mark Cutler.

HOW TO ACCESS THE MUSIC

To listen to all the tracks on any of the albums, visit YouTube
To access digital samples of the tracks and/or make online purchases of digital downloads/streaming of the music, visit Apple Music or Spotify.
If you wish to purchase any physical compact discs (CDs) of the music, Rob would be delighted to provide these via US mail. Please send an email to info@robertrarus.com indicating your requested album(s).
Physical CDs are priced at $10 USD each or 3 for $25, with free shipping within the continental US! They feature booklets containing song lyrics and Rob's original artwork, all designed by master graphic artist Richard Couto (Orange Dot Design).
Also featured is the professional photography of David Gilstein, whose work appears throughout this site.

ATTENTION

Indie filmmakers who may wish to use some of this music on a soundtrack, or recording artists who may wish to record a cover version of any of the songs: Please submit inquiries to info@robertrarus.com.
All songs are copyrighted by Robert Rarus. All Rights Reserved.

About the Albums

Here are brief descriptions of each of the seven (7) albums and an image of the corresponding album cover for each.
Block Island Days: A heartfelt musical tribute to Block Island, hailed by The Nature Conservancy as "one of the last great places on earth.” It contains various musical styles, including folk, Celtic, bluegrass, country, blues, rock and roll, and instrumentals.
Hard, Hard Times: An insightful take on our time's social and political issues. Musical styles are chiefly folk, bluegrass, and blues. Though the songs were written in 2006 and are topical as of that time, the issues and messages still endure universally.
Out of the Darkness: A deeply introspective work that examines all manner of dilemmas surrounding the human condition with crafted poetical lyrics. Stunning performances rendered by acoustic musical masters.
Run Down the Highway: A potpourri of traditional folk musical styles, including bluegrass, Celtic, Appalachian, and traditional Mexican-style folk music. It includes a spellbinding instrumental composition on the final track.
Nashville North: If you like "country," you'll LOVE this one! Top-shelf original country songwriting, elevated by masterful performances by a group of recording studio aces. Steel guitarist Buddy Cage appears on 10 of its 12 tracks. Stu Kimball, former longtime Bob Dylan band guitarist, also appears on several tracks.
Hope Street: An unabashed tribute to the musical styles of blues and rock and roll, with a bit of reggae, zydeco, and jazz thrown in for good measure. Features the musical luminaries of Duke Robillard on guitar, Buddy Cage on steel guitar, James Montgomery on blues harp, and the band Rizzz, a Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame member. This one rocks the house!
Beginnings: A collection of Rob's initial recording studio foray back in 1986, containing a generous 19 tracks of original songs. The production values are a bit modest on this one, but the quality of the songwriting rings true and strong.