I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release,
Dial It In, from
Reverend Freakchild and it interesting. Opening with
Opus Earth, with it's early delta sound, Freakchild plays National Steel guitar, organ and bass and performs what is described as a chant but really sounds like Yoko Ono, joined by Chris Parker on drums. Depeche Mode's
Personal Jesus gets a solid blues rock remake and it's strong, featuring Hugh Pool on harp. Cool. Original track,
Hippie Bluesman Blues, has some country overtones and featuring the rev on national Steel guitar and lead vocal, Pool on guitar, Parker on drums, Robin Sylvester on bass and Mark Karan on lead guitar and vocal. With a light funky edge and distortion,
Roadtrance is an simple interesting jam with Rev on vocal and NSG, Pool on guitar, banjo and electronic sounds, and parker on drums. Actually fairly cool.
15 Going on 50 is a driving rocker strongly led by Brian Mitchell on piano and featuring Pool on lead guitar, Rev on NSG and lead vocal, parker on drums, and Rachel Benbow Murdy on backing vocal. One of my favorites on the release. Bob Dylan's
It's Alright, Ma gets a great revamp with Jay Collins on tenor and bari sax nicely surrounding (or chasing) Rev's vocals and Parker's firm rhythm. Excellent! Blind Willie Johnson's
Soul Of A Man is the closest thing to a down the middle blues track and Rev shows that he knows how to do it right with excellent vocal phrasing and slide NSG, Parker on drums and Lisa Marie on backing vocals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is
Opus Space another solid country blues number with tight Kottke like slide and Yoko Ono like vocals.
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