Nevermore Records artist: Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin' Alter Boys - My Life - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, My Life, from Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin' Alter Boys and I really like it. Opening with Handyman, an easy boogie, Rev Raven takes the wheel leading on vocal and guitar, backed by Cadillac Pete Rahn on harp, Brad Bill on bass, Vic Spann on drums and Ron Kovach on organ. With a zippy pace, Creature of Habit, has a real nice bass line by Bill and smooth vocals by Raven. Rahn gives the harp a nice run and the Rev follows up with a rip roaring guitar solo of his own. Very nice. Shuffle track, Bad Little Girls has a real nice feel with lead guitar swing and harp by Madison Slim. Raven really gets it going on guitar and with solid vocals, one of my favorites on the release. With a Latin rhythm, Once The Women Start Talking features Benny Rickin on harp and he does a real nice job and the Rev really shines on higher octave guitar riffs of his own giving this track a nice spin. Title track, My Life has the rich feel of Chicago blues with Rickin on harp, Bobby Lee Sellers Jr on drums and Danny Moore on piano. Another of my favorites on the release is driving boogie, Praying for a Princess featuring a great walking bass line by PT Pedersen and super nice rolling piano riffs by Moore. With a funky Freddie King style, Looking For Love has a cool swing, highlighted by excellent sax work by Big Al Groth and flashy guitar riffs by the Rev. I Can Do You Right has a great guitar feel with both trademark riffs and fluid runs. Excellent! Another track with a cool Freddie King vibe is She's Moving On. Pedersen's bass line lays the ground work on this one and Westside Andy Linderman lays down soulful harp lines in compliment to Raven's ultra bluesy guitar riffs giving this track a nice sting. Wrapping the release is jump track, I'm Your Honeyboy featuring Moore, Pedersen and Craig Panosh on drums. Moore takes a great piano lead followed by Linderman who spreads the heat on harp. The Rev takes the reins for the last run and he hits the road running with solid guitar runs making this an excellent closer for a real nice release.

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Nevermore Records artist: Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin' Altar Boys - Live @ The Big Bull - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Live at The Big Bull, by Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin' Altar Boys and it's terrific! Opening with R&B style formal opening track, Hot and Heavy, Reverend Raven is crankin' with PT Pedersen on bass, Robert Lee Sellers Jr. on drums and Danny Moore on keys. Raven is screaming on guitar and Westside Andy Linderman blows it out hot on harp. Excellent opener! Shuffle track, Walking To Chicago, is up next and Raven leading the way on vocals and lead guitar. His vocals are electrifying, complimented nicely by Linderman who again does a super job on harp and Moore who's piano work is crisp. Extended lead guitar work by Raven riding on organ by Moore makes this track a terrific track. Two stepping, You Didn't Even Say Goodbye, settles into the groove with a bit more vocal and composure. Moore rides the keys nicely followed by Linderman on harp and Raven on guitar. This band settles down near top speed of most bands. Very nice! Hawaiian Boogie #3 is a super boogie with a lot of Hound Dog Taylor feel. Raven is hip on slide and with just a taste of Hawaiian sound blended in, this is a rip roarin', rockin boogie! Moore's piano work is excellent and you all know good piano boogie. Benny Rickun holds the crowd in the palm of his hands with his hot harp work and leads to a sliding finale. Wow! Giving a classic, Diving Duck Blues, a R&B feel with slide, Booker T style organ, hot harp and guitar and a snappy bottom is a super combo to keep this concert rolling high. Elmore James style, Stomping and Shouting, really showcases Raven's slide work and Rickun's and Moore more than pull their weight. Very nice! On classic Morganfield track, She's Nineteen Years Old, the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys (love that name) really settle down in a deep blues groove. Linderman really hits the harp hard with excellent results and Sellers Jr. takes the mic on lead vocal. With well crafted piano inserts throughout and a beautiful solo, Moore is worth his weight in gold. Possibly my favorite track on the release, this band is hot! On funky, Chicken Heads, Rickun is back on harp sharing much of the floor with Moore on organ. Big Al Groth steps up with a monster funky sax solo closing the track. Chicago style, My Life, features Linderman on harp and Moore on keys. This is a really tight band and keeping this kind of cohesion in a live environment is super. Wrapping the release is blues rocker with a light Latin flavor on Looking For Love. Rickun responds on harp to Ravens vocals and Moore lays out a monster piano solo. I really like Pedersen's bass work on this track giving the track extra oomph. With some of his best harp work on the release, Rickum blows it up and Raven closes the door with nicely crafted guitar riffs traded with Moore. This is an excellent live release and one that you should check out today!

   

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