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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
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Showing posts with label Reverend Freakchild. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reverend Freakchild. Show all posts
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bare Bones, by Reverend Freakchild, and it's a cool acoustic, blues rocker. Opening with All I Got Is Now, Reverend Freakchild is live with no edits or overdubs, playing his acoustic steel bodied guitar and singing the blues. Solid opener. All Across America, really kicks up it's heels with RF rocking out on his steel body and solid rocking vocals. My favorite track on the release is Amsterdam Blues with RF on rhythmic slide and some of his best vocals on the release. Skyflower is an interesting rocker with a tastes of Lou Reed mixed with The Stones, and articulated nicely on guitar with ringing harmonics. Wrapping the release is Keep On Truckin', RF's inspired mantra on Blind Boy Fuller's / Robert Hunters compositions. This set also includes an extra disc, Odds, Ends and Interviews. This is a cool, raw slice of Freakchild's performance and very enjoyable.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Songs of Beauty for Ashes of Realization and it's another solid set from Reverend Freakchild. Opening with swamp funky, All I Got Is Now, the Rev on lead vocal and National Resolectric guitar, sets a terrific feel. Joined by Hugh Pool on lap steel and backing vocals, Brennen Schedler on drums, Steve Sirockin on organ and Chris Parker on drums, this is a great opener. High energy rocker, All Across America, has a driving bottom courtesy Jon Robinson on bass and Patrick Carmichael on drums, with Sirockin riding high on organ. Rev drives the track with potent vocals and harmonica, complimented by Drew Glackin on lap steel. The Rev takes to an acoustic track on Amsterdam Blues which finds him showcasing his acoustic slide prowess in compliment to his vocals. Wrapping the release is laid back blues rocker, Keep On Truckin' with it's distinctive, Grateful Dead rhythm but original sound. With the Rev on lead vocal, guitar and uke, Hugh pool on harmonica, vocals and bass, John Ragusa on backing vocals, Sirockin on organ and Chris Parker, this is a cool contemporary closer.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE"
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Supramundane Blues, from Reverend Freakchild and he lays down some really nice, old school, delta style blues here. Opening with Son House's Preachin' The Blues, Freakchild has a great feel on vocal and slide acoustic guitar. Excellent opener. Blending country swing and gospel on Crying Holy, Freakchild really gets things hopping with backing from Chris Parker on drums, Matt Rae on lead guitar. Righteous! Romping boogie, Personal Jesus, has super drive with Hugh Pool on harmonica and bass, Parker on drums and Freakchild on vocal. Strong! Contemporary boogie, Factors Of Awakening features Kevin Griffin on lead vocal, guitar and bass. ZZ Tops' Jesus Just Left Chicago gets a total redo with a folksy approach but with with soulful vocals, and harmonica backing. Hot Tuna's version of Good Shepherd is up next with Mark Karan on lead guitar, Malcolm Oliver on bass and Steve Sirokin on keys. Rev Gary Davis' It's Gonna Be Alright gets a more contemporary feel with a lively tempo, light snare drums and harmonica taking form more from Pete Seeger than Davis. Cool release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE"
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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.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE"
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I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Preachin' Blues, from Reverend Freakchild and he shows his knowledge of country style blues. Opening with Breathing Blues an instrumental track, the Rev accompanies his harp playing with resonator. Cool. Blind Lemon Jefferson's See That My Grave Is Kept Clean has a rowdy, hooping singing style with pure resonator rhythm and harmonica. Nice job. In My Time Of Dyin' gets an upbeat rocking kind of feel with loose harmonica ride over nice acoustic resonator picking. Son House's Preachin' Blues keeps a lot of House's original arrangement with a more modern attack on slide resonator. Son House is one of my favorite players and I think that the Rev has paid a nice tribute here. All I Got Is Now maintains it's clever hook and with a rock rhythm on guitar, the Rev brings his own personal blues styling. I Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down maintains original arrangement and is detailed nicely by The Rev. Nice slide and nice vocals. Rev Gary Davis' It's Gonna Be Alright has a softer, more contemporary feel with resonator and harp accompaniment. Wrapping the release is Son House's Grinnin' In Your Face, another of my favorites. The Rev performs this totally acapella to the handclaps of the audience. This is a cool release, low key and natural.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE"
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I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Illogical Optimism, from Reverend Freakchild and it's quite good. This is a 3 disc review so I will try to describe it as I can. Opening disc one is a loose, Lou Reed kind of interpretation of John Lennon's Imagine. It's actually quite different and with a fluid jazzy electric guitar solo, it's quite cool. Next up is The Meters' Hey Pocky Way... pure New Orleans with nice sax work, a super bass line and vocals and of course snappy drumming. Joseph Pace's I Still Have Joy is exceptional in all of it's spiritual glory. Gospel backing on this track is off the charts. Bill Monroe's Cryin' Holy To The Lord has the gospel feel but with a solid country swing table. This track is clever and a nice addition to the set. Bo Diddley's Who Do You Love has a considerable swampy darkness and a lot of the Diddley rock beat. With underlying guitar melodies from Jimi crossing the Diddley beat and cool harp work it runs nicely into Dylan's All Along The Watchtower but with a fusion of Jimi and reggae. With cool guitar riffs and driving drum beat this release just keeps pushing the envelope. Driving track, Shark Boogie, captures the sound of a great modern boogie, say Savoy Brown or George Thorogood but with the pure roots on Hooker. Very cool. Woodie Guthrie's Pretty Boy Floyd has a punk country (Social Distortion) overdo and it's terrific. The Rev knows how to play this and he hits it square on the logo. Straight up folk rocker, Sweet Sweet You has a really solid melody and nicely woven instrumentation. Blind Lemon Jefferson's See That My Grave Is Kept Clean maintains much of it's blues roots but with just a slice of country and a contemporary rock refrain. Very tastefully done. Gram Parsons' Big Mouth Blues seems just the perfect track for this band with it's country rock feel. Gritty guitar work, yodeling and fun this track rocks. Robert Johnson's Hell Hounds On My Trail plays it close to the blues bone with amplified guitar and vocal. As nice as a primitive blues gets in modern form. John Lennon's Yer Blues is perfect in juxtaposition with it's modern form but with slide guitar and harp instead of Lennon's finesseful guitar riffs. Breaking loose into a 2 step number the Reverend steps up with a healthy load of slide work giving this track a whole new look. Rev Gary Davis' Death Don't Have No Mercy is one of my all time favorite blues numbers and Freakchild does a real nice job of interpreting it with slide acoustic guitar, vocal and flute.
Disc 2 opens with a funky radio rap and dance groove called Once Upon A Time Called Right Now. Most of the balance of this disc is the experimentation of All I Got Is Now in different forms including Reggae, DJ, Hillbilly, Punk, French,German and acoustic forms.
Disc 3 is Kairos by Ramblin Jennings who presents modern acoustic blues with Jennings on vocal, acoustic slide and harmonica. Seven original tracks and a remake of John The Revelator is a sweet set and a cool bonus to an already nicely packed release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE"
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
I just received the newest release, Hillbilly Zen-Punk Blues from Reverend Freakchild and it's really quite good. Opening with All I Got Is Now, a groovy blues track, RF lays down a funky beat with great vocals and guitars, joined by Chris Parker on drums, Hugh Pool on lap steel, Tugboat Eustis on bass and the Mulebone Singers on backing vocals. Excellent opener! Angels of Mercy is more retrospective with an understated acoustic guitar melody, nicely paired with Pool on harp. Very nice! Rev. Gary Davis', It's Gonna Be Alright has a country "family" feel with real nice acoustic slide as well as cool lap steel ethereal sounds in the rear. Cool! Keep On Trucking is a country rocker with a cool beat and a real nice acoustic guitar riff. With a catchy melodic hook and and warm slide work, this track has certain commercial potential. Lullaby is a sweet little tune played exclusively on guitar harmonics. Very cool! Moonlight Messages is a light pop track with nice flute work by John Ragusa and snappy drumming by Parker. Boogie track, She Wants My Name, is a solid blues rocker with nice acoustic slide and Pool on harp. Soul Transforming Realization, another acoustic rural romp with a great rock beat and some heavy attack gives the release a hard kick. Very cool! Tears of Fire is probably the heaviest track on the release with a heavy kick drum and cool slide work over an electric rhythm part. Gritty vocals, slippery slide and heavy kick drums... what else could you want! Nice! Wrapping the release is the traditional I Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down. Keeping it basic with tambourine, kick drum and acoustic slide, this is an excellent closer for a refreshing new release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE"
I received a new CD called God Shaped Hole by Reverend Freakchild. The band here is Rev on Vocal, guitar, harmonica; Jon "Bones Richie" Robinson on bass; "Crazy" Joe Kaplowitz on Hammond B3; Drew Glackin on lap steel; Sara Alden on fiddle; and includes Sean Condron, Mamie, CC and Sal Paradise on vocals. The cd is made up of 11 original tracks. All Across America is a straight rocker and Supersubconcious has more of a soft country sound which could get airplay. My Good Friend Legbe has some really interesting slide resonator work and A Day Late and a $ Short is a cool swing blues rocker. Stupid Motherf#%!er is sure to be a crowd pleaser with it's straightforward irreverence. Don't Miss Nothing closes the set with some cool finger picking and slide work. If you like things a little off the beaten track, this may be your ticket. If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
