Kid Ramos – Strange Things Happen
12 tracks
We all know Kid Ramos for his fantastic West Coast blues and his exceptional guitar playing. Here we have Kid reuniting with Pastor James Rasmussen, AKA Biker James, after many years. James had started his own church and reached out to Ramos to make this album. Ramos approached his friend of six years Brian Templeton. He then reached out to Stephen Hodges who he played with in the James Harman Nand and them the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Next it was bassist Mike Turturro who Kid asked to join him; he was on two albums with Mike with The 44s. Kid’s son Johnny answered his Dad’s call and the players were set with Dave Limina’s addition (Berkelee School of Music and Ronnie earl’s band}. Horns were provided by Takazo and Kaizo Hall and Jesse Cuevas added accordion. An impressive cast of characters played on this project.
The project began with Rasmussen losing faith in funding his missionary work, so he decided to fund and Gospel and Spiritual album with musicians instead.to help spread the word of God and salvation. It worked. This is an amazing and great album.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s “Strange Things Happen Every Day” starts of this Gospel album as Templeton shows us his vocal prowess and Ramos lay out some pretty lick on the guitar. The organ helps take us to church as we take off on a great adventure giving praise to the Lord. Clara Ward’s “How I Got Over” that she sold over a million copies of beginning in the early 1950’s. It is a classic done by and made even more famous by greats like Mahalia Jacksin and Aretha Frankin. Here we have Templeton letting it all hang out as he sings with passion and grit. It’s a marvelous performance. Nice piano and organ work help make this even more special.
“I’m Working On A Building” is an old spiritual recorded many, many times by greats like The Carter Family, Bill Munroe, B.B. King, Elvis Presley, and many more. It’s a jumping cut and Ramos and Templeton give it their all. It’s a great rendition and the band supports the effort in tight fashion. Organ and guitar solos are nicely done here. “Oh What A Meeting” feature Johnny Ramos on lead vocals who delivers a super performance. He displays his faith and talents here with the band continuing their excellent work on this Soul Stirrers classic..
Next is “Jesus Dropped The Charges” where Templeton sings of being forgiven by Jesus’ grace. Done originally by The O’Neal Twins. Templeton’ own “An Answer for Isaac” is next. Ramos plays some mean guitar as Templeton sings with gritty fury and blows some nice harp, too. A little distortion and a driving beat make this one cool.
The hymn “God Walks The Dark Hills” has Johnny Ramos deliver the lead vocals passionately with his beautiful high tenor and head voice. The piano is featured as is Kid’s guitar on this pretty tune. Then it’s “Satan’s Jeweled Crown.” This one features Ramos on the 12 stringed bajo sexto and a cool Tejano vibe with accordion, piano and trumpets. All the guys share the vocals and it’s a great cover of this old Louvin Brothers song from 1959.
Templeton’s “Nobody but the Lord” is next. His vocals, the guitar and organ all get it done together on this cool original Gospel number. Dylan’s “Every Grain of Sand” gets a very spiritual cover by Templeton as he sings with deep feeling. Organ and guitar give us some impassioned performances here, too.
“More Love More Power” features Kid and son Johnny helping out on vocals. This is a modern Praise song that the Ramos’ rock out to. Solid electric guitar my Kid and a driving drumbeat make this one slick. The old hymn “I’m a Pilgrim” concludes the set. The song was first recorded by the Norfolk Jubilee Quartet in 1924. Other great musicians like Bill Monroe, The Byrds, Johnny Cash, Merle Travis and The Soul Stirrers have recorded this tune. Templeton delivers a final superb performance and Ramos lays out more great licks on his guitar. Piano and organ also play prominent roles in the performance, a fine conclusion to this album.
Gospel, Spirituals, Hymns and Praise music might not be for everyone but I am convinced that blues loves can find a lot here to enjoy, The music is fantastic. The intent is surely religious but the effort my Ramos, Templeton and the others is truly memorable and cool. Brian is a superb singer and adds some nice harp. Johnny Ramos sings like a male angel. Kid Ramos is an outstanding guitarist. Everyone on the album is a pro.
If you need some spiritual uplifting then look no further. West Coast Blues injected into Gospel makes for an amazing marriage of genres and styles. I’ve never heard Gospel done quite like this and I loved it. I most highly recommend this album!
