Reverend Freakchild – A Bluesman Of Sorts
Disc One – 10 songs Disc Two – 9 songs
Disc One – 40:22 Disc Two – 41:01
Yes, The Reverend is a bluesman of sorts, among many other things in his curious life. He grew up in Hawaii, holds a degree in Philosophy and religion from Northeastern University in Boston. He resides in Colorado as an ordained Dharmacharya with a Master of Divinity Degree from Naropa University. He has been a member of the Metro Mass Gospel Choir, but I digress. This is his latest collection of blues covers and originals done up in his often rag-tag style, but with feeling and reverence to the blues masters. He sings in a blues voice and plays acoustic guitar and harmonica. He occasionally employs unnamed backing musicians, except in one case. This collection is a bit of a retrospective that includes some previously unreleased material, favorites and some remixes.
The opening song, the original “Green and Brown Blues” is the only song that lists his backing players; John Robinson on bass and Patrick Carmichael on drums. I can’t really figure what it is about, but it’s delivery is upbeat and his vocal energetic, positive and mellow. It features acoustic and electric guitars as well as the Reverend’s harmonica. His take on “Chevrolet”, a song that was adapted from Memphis Minnie’s “Can I Do It For You” includes some first-rate organ soloing. I am more familiar with it from The Animals version.
Muddy Water’s “I Can’t Be Satisfied” gets a kicked-up treatment with boisterous vocalizing, sprightly harmonica and slide guitar. “Roll and Tumble Blues” is just him on National Steel slide, harmonica and foot stomping. He gets a real down-home vibe with his affected vocal, harmonica and electric slide guitar. He gives a good reading of the familiar “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven”. A cover of Chris Whitley’s “Dust Radio” is spacey and atmospheric.
Disc two consists of all cover songs. Jimmy Reed’s “Big Boss Man” is a revved-up rendering, with cool electric guitar, bongos and Hugh Pool on harmonica. “Ode To Billie Joe” is jived up with country-ish guitar and invigorated organ. The haunting echoed vocal suits “Hellhound On My Trail” just fine. Although a traditional song, “I Know You Rider” is widely known from The Grateful Dead’s rendition. It receives a similar treatment here, abetted by rambunctious electric slide guitar. Noisy is the word for the version of The Beatles’ already gruff “Yer Blues”. His National Steel guitar slithers and slides, battling the drums on “Wish I was In Heaven”.
“Death Bells” is given a crude reading, similar to what its’ writer Lightnin’ Hopkins would have given it. The a cappella “Grinnin’ In Your Face” was recorded live with clapping and yelling from the audience. The other live one is Peppermint Harris’s “As The Years Go Passing By”. The solemn delivery is enhanced by a nicely toned electric guitar.
A bluesman of sorts?…More so than not. He achieves something close to the sound of the authentic early bluesmen. He at times drifts into singer-songwriter territory, but always keeps the listener’s ears glued to absorb his quirkiness. Whether accompanied by only guitar and harmonica or others, the music is heartfelt and draws from the deep blues well.
