Those who expected a rich pop solo album from one half of the Hall&Oates duo, will have been totally disappointed when listening to “Arkansas”. The record by John Oates is, in fact, as far removed from pop as it can be: “Arkansas” is a shining tribute to the most classic blues (particularly that of Mississippi John Hurt) played impeccably and rigorously by Oates himself and by a host of very valid musicians (including the unbeatable Sam Bush).