"Roots Zone" - Denmark :
As a reviewer you sometimes get a pleasant surprise and
that´s what I got, when I listened to the new album
"Copenhagen Time" from René Evald. Pleasant because
this is a surprisingly good cd.
That I didn´t know that much about Evald is possibly my fault, because he has been on the danish music scene since the late sixties playing in different constellations and genres from soul, acid rock, blues and country. Amongst others as a frontman in Big Mama and Buffalo, although without the great breakthrough.
But now he really comes through with this new cd, that shows his format as a singer and guitarplayer.
His voice is good and has character, but especially as a guitarplayer he exels with his airy and bouncy playing. From the beginning in the opening  track  "Not Fade Away" you hear this very delicious guitarsound and it continues in songs like John Hiatts "The River" and the old Cream hit "Sunshine of Your Love" etc.
Evald especially likes  the ballads, but he sings and plays songs by Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie with great authenticity, and this successful mixture of folk, rock and country is garnished with a couple of blues classics.
Evald characterizes this laidback beautiful sound as laidback arrangements, but I also think that names as Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton and J.J.Cale springs to mind.
Of course it is René Evald that you hear most, but he gets good musical backing from his old partner Henrik Littauer on piano and accordion, Lynge Wagner on pedal steel guitar and dobro, Jens Elboel on bass, Jesper Grandetoft on drums and Louise Stoejberg background vocals.
René Evald is by the way also revealing a talent as a songwriter on the titelsong, and this should be followed by more. 
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"Rock n´Reel" Norman Darwen - UK:
The composer crecits includes besides Evald , amongst others Buddy Holly, whose "Not Fade Away" is far more Buddy than Bo Diddley for a change - and Bob Dylan with a beautiful "Tomorrow´s Such A Long Time". JJ Cale is not there, but easily could have been.
Years ago I would have described this mellow sound with its gruff-voiced singing and frequent Dobro fills and breaks over lazily strutting rhythms as "country-rock". The accordion that crops up from time to time might now qualify it as "roots-rock" or "Americana".
Unbelieveably - or maybe not, all the musicians on this very entertaining set are Danish.

"Rootsville" - Belgium:
From Denmark came a CD - "Copenhagen Time. It was ingenious put together by one Rene Evald, who was completely unknown to me, but whom I now will continue to follow with great attention.
I found in the current CD traces of JJCale, Leo Kottke, Loudon Wainwright III, Ry Cooder, Eric Clapton unplugged, The Eagles and Buffalo Springfield. I have to stop somewhere, but I could continue endlessly. The man loves the music he was raised with, and can not be blamed showing it on this album.
.......The CD starts with a clever arrangement of Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away" where the pedal steel and Dobro and Rene's warm Warren Zevon-like voice sounds incredibly laidback. Even John Hiatt's "The River" get such a loving treatment with finger picking guitar and accordion. His own song "Copenhagen Time" gets the Dire Straits treatment with Marc Knopfler at a lower speed. In "Going Down the Road" you hear Evald respect for the master Woody Guthrie. Again with nice Dobro work by Lynge Wagner. Wagner's pedal sounds the same as sacred steel in Alfred Reed's "Poor Man". Very strong.
In the next issue it is only after a minute or so that I understand that this is "Sunshine of Your Love" - J. J. Cale sings The Cream it seems. "Where does he get it from?" you wonder. And the longer I hear Rene's voice, the more I fall for it. In the traditional "Deep River Blues" the extremely pure and accurate finger picking and acoustic soloing of Evald are reflected.
Dylan's "Tomorrow's Such a Long Time" gets a strong country-wide treatment. With class pedal steel and Dobro. Evald's timeless and subdued version of "Always On My Mind" makes you forget the Las Vegas version by Elvis Presley. That is quite an achievement. I am sure that the somewhat overlooked quartet of song writers would have liked this interpretation more, than that of Elvis. And Randy Newman do not get angry at how "My Old Kentucky Home" is played on this album. Sublime front porch work.
.......And last but not least is the trad. "Trouble in Mind" still here to honor all done.The entire album is bathed in an almost self-evident laid back atmosphere. For J.J. Cale to fade.
An absolute must for those who know to appreciate semi-acoustic and acoustic music and who loves unexpected and different arrangements. And an obligation for lovers of slide guitar, Dobro, lap or pedal steel.

"Blues & Rhythm" - Scotland:
Apparently a leading light of the Danish rock, blues and folk scene, Rene Evald has been a professional musician since 1967.
This is one of the most eclectic choices of music by any one artist that I have heard in a long time. It includes Buddy Holly’s ‘Not Fade Away’, Blind Alfred Reed’s ‘How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live’, Bob Dylan’s ‘Tomorrow’s Such A Long Time’, Woody Guthrie’s ‘Going Down The Road’, Cream’s ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’ and other standards such as ’Always On My Mind’, ‘My Old Kentucky Home’, and ‘Trouble In Mind’. Evald’s singing reminds me of a younger John Martyn. This is a pleasant, well produced album with some soft rock and country style ballad arrangements supported by some tasteful guitar playing.

"Roots Time" - Belgium & The Netherlands:
The Dane Rene Evald has found his way to make a handful of cover songs his own - unobtrusively elegant in a mix of interpretations of John Hiatt, Bob Dylan and Randy Newman to mention the most famous. His arrangement of the traditional "Deep River Blues" is a good examle of his style, and likewise the titlesong "Copenhagen Time". When he sings that the waters leading him back home, then this is also true for this folk / countryblues album, on which he returns to an old love, he never really left.
As a teenager Rene was already a professional musician when he played in the soulband "Tripping Souls". Afterwards followed the country rock band "Buffalo" from 1971 to 1977 with which he stood at the podium clearly inspired by Hank Williams and Merle Haggard, and then later the electric blues band "Big Mama". This band released a couple of albums, followed by two others from the band "Evald & Littauer". In 2006 Evald released his first solo album - the instrumental "Bellevue".
With his newest solo project "Copenhagen Time" he returns to the roots music as Woody Guthrie, James Taylor, Brendan Croker and the young Ry Cooder did before him. Louise Støjberg sings along in the background on many of the ballads in this album, which elevates the more intimate songs in a nice way. Only the playful "My Old Kentucky Home" breaks the somewhat relaxed atmosphere - reminiscent of music at sunset or dry grass after a refreshing rain. Evald adds with his mellow voice and his Kehlet guitar a dreamlike dimension to his soothing, melodic songs. The dobro and pedal steel of Lynge Wagner and the piano and accordion of the musical friend Henrik Littauer contributes a U.S. appearance to this album, but with a Danish and innovative spirit. From the first sparkling "Not Fade Away", which puts you in mind of Eric Bibb, you hear the personal involvement of this soulful singer who knows how to explain his "real love" for this music .
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Copenhagen Blues Festival :
Apart from Evalds own titelsong ("Copenhagen Time") it contains a number of sophisticated and invigorating interpretations of songs by John Hiatt, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Randy Newman and Cream - The package is delivered with a nice ring to it and a laid back attitude, which shows an incredible excessive musicality .
With his dazzling sound and brilliant skills René Evald is in his field one of the best danish guitarists to day.

Bruce Iglauer
Alligator - USA:
"This is a very well performed and produced album. It´s done with great taste and restraint, with melodic playing and a nice delicacy. It is a very good album."

Andy Grigg
"Real Blues Magazine" - Canada:
"I did recognize that it was much better than the typical CDs we get as Rene obviously has exceptional talents. It's a WONDERFUL collection of songs."

Jerry Hall
Pacific Blues - USA:
"From Denmark comes Rene Evald, an acoustic artist with a surprising delivery and feel, playing blues and some very innovative covers by such icons as Bo Diddley, John Hyatt and Bob Dylan. His vocal style and guitar playing belie his European home, and the varied accompaniment of drums/bass, pedal steel, Dobro, piano and accordion give this CD a very polished and unique framework for his style.
"It is outstanding music."

Massimo Ferro
Radio Voce Spazio - Italien:
"René Evald surely did a very fine job indeed, the choice of songs is excellent as well as his interpretations are very good, especially thanks to the always interesting arrangements and that deep warm voice!"

Ton Wanten
Triple R Blues Radio - Holland
"It has been a long time since I heard a CD THIS GOOD in your genre. It is truly a wonderful piece of work.
I can hear that it’s a labour of love !!!!
The title song “Copenhagen Time” is a beauty. There’s a wonderful, delicate balance between the guitars and your voice.
Incredible how you make “Sunshine Of Your Love” happen !!!! Nearly re-arranging the entire song with a lot of respect to the writers.
I’m sure Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton would be proud of you! The other “covers” are top notch too !
It has really been a long time since I have heard such a masterpiece of acoustic blues, folk, country… etc.
Thanks a lot and please, please keep on making this music!!"

Serge WARIN
Radio Canal Bleu - Frankrig:
"It's very interesting : Rene has a real sensibility, a personal style, he creates a warm ambiance, that's a great pleasure ! I'm sure that my audience will appreciate as I do."

ROBERTO  ROSSI - DJ - Italien:
“COPENHAGEN TIME”  is very good ! 
I like this smooth, relaxed, “laid back” atmosphere, this sweet and warm blend of  folk, blues and country.The original songs are very interesting and so are the covers, particularly tasty and refined. NOT FADE AWAY of my beloved Buddy Holly; GOING DOWN THE  ROAD, that reminds me that old Knopfler & Atkins’ “Neck & Neck”; POOR MAN of A.Reed with the Ry Cooder’s version in mind; a very personal rendition of SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE, the classic MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME.

Mary Kathleen Burke
Celtic Music Radio - Skotland:
Cant get your voice out of my head . I think you have something very special there and I could listen to you forever.

Héctor
RADIO DE MÚSICA DE AUTOR DE ONDA JOVEN EL ROSARIO - Tenerifa Spanien:
Wow René! I love your music!
Its very fine, I didnt know there was so excellent music in your country.

Michel FATON
Radio CROSS'BLUES - Frankrig:
1000 thanks for the new CD of RENE EVALD... is an excellent album.

Simone Bargelli
Radio RCC - Italien:
I will play his music on my program as soon as possible. "May the blues be with U"