“Roy Schneider is a singer-songwriter in the grandest tradition of Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Guy Clark, and Lyle Lovett, but his voice, songwriting skill, stagecraft, and instrumental talent are all his own. Together, the result is like a vibrant jubilee singing out on the banks of the Mississippi River. His gift for blending Southern-influenced folk, blues, country, and rock into a seamless genre with his own signature sound demonstrates his connection to the best in the tradition of fine wake-me-up and kick-me-in-the-ass roots music.”

“Roy Schneider fits in the same bag with such classic singer-songwriters as Guy Clark, John Prine, Steve Goodman and Townes van Zandt. Well worth seeking out.”

“Their ‘Blue-Twangled Folk n Roll’ sound rides like a V8, firing on all cylinders… AND there’s a Blaze Foley song on the new album!”

“Nothing reckless in this well-mixed batch of Americana.” “There’s something retro and regional about Kim Mayfield’s fluffy girlish vocals that pleasantly invokes the late and legendary Tammy Wynette, while the lovely melody lines and dulcet harmonies of the original material by Mayfield and musical partner and husband Roy Schneider could situate this recording at the western end of country & western. You might identify high nu-grass spirits on several of the tracks, including the imperative opener ‘Jump In’ and the lyrically compelling ‘Election Day’, the last of the 11 tracks. ‘Runaway Train’ is a standout showcase of how the considerable instrumental multi-tracking on the album, most of it by Schneider (guitars, Dobro, harmonica, percussion), is thankfully undetectable; the effect instead is that of a well-mixed, well-shared ensemble that supports the singing with no need to showing off or overproduction.” “Guest performers enrich this mix to various degrees on different tracks, adding mandolin, fiddle, bass, piano, and pedal steel. The lyrics make artful use of language, and the stories told are as fresh as the playing; ‘Angels Along the Road’ is an account of Schneider’s escape as a teenager from the infamous Straight, Incorporated rehab facility, vocalised in his rawhide tenor.”

www.songlines.co.uk

“This husband and wife team runs the gamut from engaging acoustic folk to driving bluesy tunes, with hints of twang sprinkled in. The album was recorded in Schneider’s studio in Florida and mastered in Austin by acclaimed producer, songwriter and engineer Mark Hallman (Carole King, Ani DiFrance and Eliza Gilkyson) who has played with and heard countless artists. He says, “This truly is a wonderful record. It is one of the finest singer/songwriter records to come across my mastering desk in a long time.” The ringing impression from this offering is the seamless blending of so many forms of roots music combined with meaningful and often insightful lyrics. It works beautifully.”

https://www.makingascene.org/roy-schneider-kim-mayfield-reckless-saints/

“Among the record’s finest moments are the aching fiddle (Kevin Aland) and electric lead guitar fuelled ballad ‘If I Die Tomorrow.’ Mayfield’s outstanding lead vocals (she sounds most like Eilen Jewel) handling on the painstaking ballad are first class. In immediate running order, you also have such delights as the piano and fiddle adorned ‘Subjugated Love,’ and Schneider sounding as good as at any time on the record on ‘Jump In’ (as Mayfield provides some electric harmony vocals to go with RS’s harmonica, dobro etc.). With hints of Chris Hillman, and the Desert Rose Band, ‘Walkin’ On A Wire’ is yet another gem. …. Fans of the Cactus Blossoms will love ‘Poison Arrow,’ and going way back I also detect favourable Don and Phil Everly. They are that good. I can’t help but think Schneider is the real deal. A great discovery. ”

https://flyinshoes.ning.com/profile/MauriceHope

“[Reckless Saints, the album] It all amounts to an Americana gem that fans of real pure mountain-stream country will love.”

https://www.theaquarian.com/2018/11/28/rantnroll-44/

“On the album, Schneider and Kim Mayfield, his wife and full-time performing partner, dance with elements of authentic folk, country, blues and rock as if they’ve been in love with them all their lives, which is probably true. Enlisting Blaze Foley’s old musical partner Gurf Morlix for help, Schneider and Mayfield cover Foley’s classic “Election Day” with rough passion, but the beautifully rendered “If I Die Tomorrow” and “Poison Arrow” swoon in their arms. All who cry out for salvation from Reckless Saints might experience the same effect.”

https://www.elmoremagazine.com/2018/10/reviews/albums/roy-schneider-kim-mayfield

“One of the finest singer/songwriter records to come across my mastering desk in a long time!”

“Roy Schneider and Kim Mayfield definitely brought down the house when they played their wonderful songs to a completely packed house (requiring extra tables and chairs to be brought in to accommodate everybody). There wasn’t a person in that room who didn’t have a smile on their face.”

“Roy is a multi-instrumentalist, one of those horrible people who seemingly can play anything they pick up and play it beautifully… Festival promoters, take note. He is a solid performer waiting to fill a spot for you. Five stars!”

“Roy Schneider has presence; it’s impossible to dismiss him when watching him on stage. His music makes a powerful impact on the listener. Add the keyboard and vocals contributed by Kim Mayfield (Roy’s wife) and you’ve got a winning combination.”

“A heavy dose of ramblin’ Americana, complete with believable folk delivery and splattered with old-timey charm, Roy Schneider’s music is rooted in way that ties him to the outlaw singers of the past — the part where there is no latching onto someone else’s bootstraps, just playing what you believe.”

“A beguiling and tasty stew of blues, country, folk, and Americana.”

“Damn I love this album! [Erleichda] is a stellar example of good Americana.”

“Roy is that rare breed sometimes known as the triple threat – that is vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Add the 4th dimension of engaging & entertaining performer and you’ve got a good idea of what Roy is about. He is one artist to watch.”

“…like the best Americana should be, a compelling mix of narrative and instrumental beauty.”

“…had no idea [Roy] played so many instruments so well.”

“Sometimes he sounds like he’s auditioning for Little Feat (he’d get in, too), sometimes he’s light and jazzy and sometimes he’s a proper acoustic rocker. All the time he’s interesting, with the changes of pace keeping the listener on their toes, not least in wondering how he manages to be good at it all.”

“There’s quite a soulful quality in there that comes over quite often and there’s a warmth that’s ever present.”