January 18, 2014 by Something Else!

‘We’ve got the best of both worlds’: Success apart sparks Hall and Oates reunions

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Hall and Oates, not long after their acceptance into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, got back to work — though, as has been increasingly the case lately, not together. Turns out, that strengthens their bond.

Oates is putting the finishing touches on a three-disc set of solo EPs called Good Road to Follow, due on March 18, 2014. Meanwhile, Hall’s Live From Daryl’s House program returned this week, featuring a guest appearance from Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top Fame.

Those tandem efforts apart keep their reunions fresh, and have helped garner new fans, Oates says. “I love what Daryl is doing,” he tells Brian Thomas. “Daryl’s show has been very important in spreading the word on Hall and Oates. He’s turned on a whole younger generation to what we’re doing. It’s great. I’ve been on the show a number of times, and I’m really happy for him.”

Oates’ forthcoming EPs will each feature five new songs a piece. There will also be a special limited-edition 45 released for Record Store Day in April, with an unplugged DVD to arrive later in 2014.

Gibbons and Hall, in the season opener for Live from Daryl’s House, collaborated on H&O deep cuts like “Bank on Your Love,” from 1983’s Big Bam Boom; and “Love You Like a Brother,” from 1977’s No Goodbyes — along with ZZ Top favorites like “La Grange” and “Sharp Dressed Man,” among others.

“He has worked so hard to put that show on the map, and at the same time it gives me the freedom to do what I do,” Oates adds. “Then we come together and tour as Hall and Oates so, really, we’ve got the best of both worlds.”

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