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'My Life' Reviews
Reverend Raven & the Chain Smoking Altar Boys
Twentieth Anniversary - My Life
Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin' Altar Boys Nail It On 'My Life'
"My Life' is an album that's ahead of its time by staying behind the times"
The blues took an interesting leap in the 1960s, quickly going from traditional black American artists to the Rolling Stones and their straight blues covers, to The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, who moved the blues needle right into Cream, who used the blues to segue into manic jams.
Before the 1960s ended, Led Zeppelin would release its debut album, and the blues was officially something almost completely different than it had been at the start of the decade. In the span of a decade, the blues became completely reinvented, its limits pushed to something very different from its origins. Those 1960s bands had the swagger of the blues, but it's questionable to what extent Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, or any of the Kings might have recognized their music. Boundaries had been pushed and the blues exploded into something completely new and different from what it had been.
But what if it hadn't changed? That question is answered by Reverend Raven and the Chain Smoking Altar Boys. My Life is a blues album that sounds like it could have come out of the mid-1960s. It's what the blues might have been had it not have become a departure point for acrobatic musicianship, breakneck tempos, and often-ridiculous lyrics.
My Life is a band revisiting its catalog. Reverend Raven takes original songs from his band's four studio albums and uses various lineups to reinterpret the tracks. If you're not familiar with Reverend Raven's work, it's a great and fun way to easily cover a lot of ground. The album plays like a live show. Reverend Raven is the common thread, providing guitar and laid-back vocals.
The laid-back vibe is what separates the album from so much of that later 60s blues rock. The sound is reminiscent of The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, with lots of impressive harmonica work and guitar solos that show flash, but that don't overpower the songs.
The songs represent a survey of the blues. "Handyman," the lead-off track is jazzy, featuring lots of impossibly clean guitar. "Creature of Habit" is a bluesier rockabilly take on "Stray Cat Strut." "I Can Do You Right" is a slow blues with a huge organ sound that will make you feel like it's Sunday. "My Life" is pure Elmore James. But where The Paul Butterfield Blues Band pushed that classic riff to its limits on "Look Over Yonder Wall," Reverend Raven lets it breathe.
Lots of incredible music came out of the 1960s blues revival. But the time was so fertile, and creativity was so strong, that no one really dwelt in the sounds. Instead, artists built and built and built. My Life captures a moment that never was, or at least wasn't long enough, in a fun, interesting way. It's an album that's ahead of its time by staying behind the times.
Steven Ovadia - American Blues Scene
On any given weekend if had to pick one band in our area to go listen to I would track down where Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys (CSABs) are playing and go out there and sit down with them to listen to them for some blues done the way they are supposed to be. This CD celebrates 20 years in the life of the best blues band in the Mid West. Rooted deeply in the sound of old school Chicago blues and based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Reverend (Richard) Raven has spent the last two decades honing a sound that is unique, sublime and enticing. The vocals and instrumental work is never over blown or over done. The solos are tasteful and authentic. The band knows what everyone is supposed to do and does it. No one steps on each other's toes and everyone works to make the sound better.
In 1993 Chief Raven got out the Navy and supplemented his separation pay with gigs in Milwaukee and Wisconsin's Fox Valley area. He honed his sound as he replaced the 16 year old wunderkind Scott Sharrard with the Blues Disciples. He worked on his chops and tried to avoid getting his head cut off by special guests like Perry Weber, Billy Flynn and Mel Ford. The Chief then ventured out on his own a bit with Jimmy Rogers' harp man Madison Slim. Slim was still touring with Rogers so the work with Slim was a side project for both the Rev and Slim.
When Rogers passed away the CSABs were born 20 years ago in a South Side of Milwaukee tavern called Jim Dandy's. Larry "The Legend" Taylor was on drums. They were playing in a country bar but when George Stancell walked in with a gold fur coat and sang with abandon and Slim killed them with his sad and blue harp solo and the band began it's trek across the Cheese Curd Circuit of the upper Mid West.
Lamont Cranston helped get them noticed and the crowds grew and grew. They worked their way up to playing Buddy Guy's Legends and opening for B.B. King at the Surf Ballroom. They tour the Mid West and South East with annual tours to the Virgin Islands and now Jamaica. From a poor kid on the South Side of Chicago hanging out at the Checkerboard Lounge to today, the Rev never dreamed he would get this far. A half dozen CDs, many awards and packed houses wherever they go are the norm now. Life is good and the Rev is thankful for his hard won success.
The bands have changed over the years. Cadillac Pete Rahn played harp with the Rev after they met on Bourbon Street with Bryan Lee at the Old Absinthe Bar. Madison Slim was from Jimmy Rogers and the Legendary Blues Band. Benny Rickun was a harp protégé of Mid west harmonica legend Jim Liban and he and the Rev spent time together when Slim moved south. Big Al Groth played sax with the CSABs after the Rev met him with Bobby Sellers in the Rhythm Dawgs in Kenosha, WI playing that old style honking sound. His current harp cohort is westside Andy Linderman who he met when Andy was with Paul Black and Flip Kings. They tour today joined at the hip with the swinging-est and coolest sound on the circuit. Each of the players added their talents to the band and are represented on this CD.
Piano and organ players also came and went in the band. Ron Kovach, Danny "Pork Chop" Moore, and Mickey Larson have each spent time playing with the Rev and appear here. Jimmy Voegeli also makes a special appearance. On bass are Andre Maritato, Brad Bull and his long time bass man PT Pedersen. Vic Span, Spencer Panosh, Bobby Lee Sellers Jr., and now Spencer's brother Craig Panosh have played drums for the CSABs. Jeff Roberts appears on rhythm guitar on a couple of tracks. Each has brought their enormous talents to the band and this CD.
All the songs were written by Rev Raven who produced the album with help from Steve Hamilton. The first three tracks with Cadillac Pete are completely remixed and sound fresh. Track 4 with Madison Slim has never been on a CD before. The stuff with Benny is on tracks 5 through 10 and Andy is featured on tracks 13 through 16. Moore is featured on tracks 6, 7 and 9 through 16. While these songs all appeared on other CDs with Benny, Andy and Pork Chop, tracks 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are brand new versions of the songs for us to enjoy.
"Handyman' opens the set. A long-time staple of the Rev's shows, this is a sweet and bouncy little shuffle with some dirty killer harp from Pete. He gets the first solo and then the Rev lays out a tasteful and restrained solo of his own. "Bee Hive Baby" and "Creature of Habit" also feature Cadillac Pete. The former has a driving beat and the Rev's vocals are sublime. The solos are Pete and then the Rev with some chicken scratching thrown in for good measure. The latter is a nice jump blues with Pete and Rev trading off solos again. "Bad Little Girls" is an older recording that was never released before. Madison Slim greases up his harp and the Rev delivers the lyrics in his ever-captivating baritone style. Slim takes the lead first and blows a mean solo and then the Rev rings clear with his own and takes us home.
The "Rickun Era" songs are next. "I Want To Love You" starts us off with a winner with a driving beat. "Once Women Start Talking" is another CSAB standard his fans have all grown to love that is well done here, too. It's got a rumba sort of beat and just a great vibe to it. "My Life" is another Rev Raven classis. It begins with a nod to his sailor days, "I've been around this world, I've sailed the seven seas," as the Rev embarks on a tune where he searched for the woman of his dreams. Danny Moore blazes on the ivories and Benny is quite effective on the harp, but the Rev sells one with his slick vocals and guitar. "Here Comes My Baby" is another rumba-styled tune with Jimmy Voegeli coming in for some pretty organ work. The Rev stings with his big time guitar solo and overall work here. "Praying For A Princess" is a jumping cut that Benny launches with abandon. He, the Rev and Moore once again blaze as this song goes 100 mph with reckless abandon for a very fun ride. "Big Bee" is classic CSABs, a take off of Slim Harpo's "King Bee." Distorted vocals dirty this up nicely and the big harp sound from Rickun also makes this one special.
"Looking For Love" and "Slow Burn" are the two saxophone pieces with Big Al. The sax is awesome on both and Pork Chops piano interplay with him is also spectacular. The Rev jumps and jives with his guitar and vocal work as the boogie woogie of "looking For Love" unfolds. "Slow Burn" is a mid tempo piece strident guitar and the sax and organ adding a lot to the mix.
The last four cuts are the Westside Andy tracks. "Someday When I'm Dead and Gone" is a blues shouter tune as Andy's harp responds to the Rev's vocal calls. Andy plays some wicked harp to complement the well-paced and strident guitar. They take things way down with the slow blues of "I Can Do You Right" where the guitar, harp and organ all take us to church. The rumba returns with "She's Moving On," with a testimonial that the Rev testifies to us about how his heart was torn out by that woman in red Ferragamo pumps. This is another staple of his fine live shows that his fans (and I) love. All good things must come to end and so does this great CD. "I'm Your Honeyboy" is a swinging jump blues with Danny Moore on piano and Jimmy Voegeli delivering backing vocals. Andy's harp work is spectacular here once again. The Rev's guitar takes a long solo to take us home as he, Andy and Pork Chop help him fade into the sunset. Wonderful stuff!
What can I say? This is some great stuff to commemorate 20 years of some of the blues worlds best music from one of my all time favorite artists and his band. As I said earlier, this is blues the way blues were meant to be played. Run do not walk, and go buy this one NOW! You will not regret it!
Reviewer Steve Jones is president of the Crossroads Blues Society and is a long standing blues lover. He is a retired Navy commander who served his entire career in nuclear submarines. In addition to working in his civilian career since 1996, he writes for and publishes the bi-monthly newsletter for Crossroads, chairs their music festival and works with their Blues In The Schools program. He resides in Byron, IL.
Blues Blast Magazine - Steve Jones
Rather than enumerate the sixteen titles of this eighth album, I prefer to talk about the spirit of it. Here, we find the best songs that this guitarist singer gleaned from his previous recordings to remaster or re-record. We are in the presence of a Chicago-born artist, currently based in Milwaukee who has scoured the Midwest and Florida up and down with a dream line up to perfectly perform a most traditional blues, It is jump, swing, Delta, Chicago or other. The baritone voice and finesse of Reverend are his hallmark and to support him in this anthology of songs, there are no less than three bassists, four drummers, four keyboardists, a saxophonist (Big Al Groth) and four harmonica players: Cadillac Pete Rahn, Madison Slim, Benny Rickun and Westside Andy Linderman. These dream blowers deserve to be mentioned because they participated greatly in the success of this training which celebrates with this album its twenty years of collective work. You just need to polish your shoes and dance the blues on the rev 's lively rhythms. And from Rev to dream, there is only one step.
Blues Again France - Cesar
Reverend Raven is currently a resident of Appleton, Wisconsin. He was born and raised in Chicago and began playing guitar after seeing Freddie King at The Kinetic Theatre in 1971. He spent the rest of the seventies playing clubs on the south side of Chicago. After spending fifteen years in the Navy the Reverend resumed playing in the taverns of the greater Milwaukee area. The Reverend became Scott Sharrard's replacement in the Blues Disciples. Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin' Altar Boys released their debut album "Slow Burn" in 1998. Reverend Raven has opened for B.B. King, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Junior Wells, Magic Slim; and is still a headliner at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago.
Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin' Altar Boys 2010 recording "Shake Your Boogie" received two 2011 Blues Blast Award nominations in the categories of "Best Blues Band" and "Best Song". Their last album was 2015's "Live at The Big Bull Falls Blues Festival".
This new album, Reverend Raven's eighth, is a compilation of original songs re-mixed or re-recorded from his previous four studio sessions. As a guitarist he has great tone and has mastered all styles. As a vocalist the Reverend's baritone voice displays great range and clarity. This recording documents his twenty year career.
The rhythm section heard is usually PT Pedersen or Brad Bill, bass; and Spencer Panosh, Craig Panosh, Bobby Lee Sellers Jr., or Vic Spann, drums.
Reverend Raven has played with some excellent harp players. "Slow Burn" his first album featured Cadillac Pete Rahn who plays on the opener "Handyman", on "Creature of Habit" and on the Slim Harpo styled "Bee Hive Baby". The title track from that early album features Big Al Groth on saxophone.
The fabulous harp of Madison Slim can be heard on "Bad Little Girls". He was the featured harp player on Reverend Raven's 2002 album "Live at Blues on Grand". Slim also played with Jimmy Rogers and can currently be heard with Doug Deming and The Jewel Tones.
Harp ace Benny Rickun appears on the Reverend's 2007 Big Bee recording. Reprised is this new album's title track "My Life". Danny Moore is featured playing barrelhouse piano on this tune and throughout the recording.
The Altar Boys' current harp player Westside Andy Linderman plays harp on "Someday When I'm Dead and Gone"; on "She's Moving On" with a fabulous narrative from the Rev; and on "I Can Do You Right" from the 2010 "Shake Your Boogie" recording.
As their name implies these guys are smokin' hot. This is highly recommended Chicago blues.
Richard Ludmerer, Making a Scene
A veritable institution in the Milwaukee area, guitar man Reverend Raven and the Chain-Smoking Altar Boys have also cut a wide swath thru the Midwest, and also deep down in Florida as well. Armed with a tremendous traditional sound that incorporates vintage jump blues and R & B, along with Chicago and Delta-fired blues, the band celebrates its twentieth anniversary with sixteen of the best cuts from their previous albums, re-worked herein specifically for this occasion. The result is "My Life," as Reverend Raven recounts his life as a bluesman over this dance-floor-burnin' set.
Another one of the blues' "OG's," Raven was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, and has been playing the blues on his guitar since 1971, after seeing Freddie King. On this set, all his myriad of influences are on display, and all the cuts are heavyweights. He utilizes four different harp players, all of whom are band veterans, each unique in their approach and sound.
Cadillac Pete is up first, as the Reverend touts his, er, "plumbing skills," on the slightly-nasty "Handy Man," and keeps that groove going on the set-closer, with West Side Andy Linderman on harp, as the Rev. raps to another lover that, "I'm Your Honeyboy, satisfaction guaranteed!" Benny Rickman is on harp on the swingin' title cut, as "My Life changed at the age of 43, when I finally met the woman the Good Lord meant for me," this one with Danny Moore on the 88's, and the Rev. gittin' down on some fine Elmore James-inspired guitar.
Favorites were aplenty, and we settled on two. All that's missing from that little "Bee Hive Baby" are those fishnet hose–cut kinda low at the top, and high at the bottom, ya know. And, "Once The Women Start Talking" no man is safe! Benny's playin' it cool on the harp, and the whole thing rides that rhumba beat for all it's worth!
Twenty years in this bidness is a milestone, indeed. Picking only sixteen cuts was arguably tough to do, but Reverend Raven And The Chain Smoking Altar Boys and "My Life" effectively traces the history of one of the Midwest's , er, "smokin-est" blues bands ever to lay down a groove! Roll back the rug, and dance your ass off until….next time! Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.
Don & Sheryl's Blues Blog/Nashville Blues Society
With the key words "Blues & passion" you could describe Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin 'Altar Boys. Reverend Raven (vocals, guitars), grew up in the somewhat less beautiful South Side of Chicago, has been playing blues since he was seventeen, was fifteen years with the US Navy, moved to Milwaukee and befriended Madison Slim, harmonica player of Jimmy Rodgers . Harmonica player Westside Andy is from Wisconsin, played in Paul Black's Flip Kings, has his own band and has been working with Rev. for three years. Raven. Drummer Craig Panosh and P.T. Pedersen form the rhythm section.
'My Life' is the eighth album of the Reverend & CSAB. It is a compilation album with sixteen originals from previously released albums, which have been reworked or recorded with a different line-up. With musicians like Madison Slim, harmonica player Cadillac Pete Rahn, Benny Rickun, Big Al Groth, Andre Maritato, Brad Bill, Victor Span, Spencer and Craig Panosh, Bobby Lee Sellers Jr., Ron Kovach, Jimmy Voegeli, Mickey Larson, Danny Moore & Jeff Roberts.
Harmonica player Cadillac Pete Rahn can be heard on the quiet bluesy opener "Handyman", the sultry rumba "Bee Hive Baby" and the jump blues "Creature Of Habit". Madison Slim on "Bad Little Girls" and Benny Rickun on the following tracks, including "I Want To Love You", the autobiographical title track "My Life" (with Danny Moore on barrelhouse piano) and "Praying For a Princess". Saxophonist Big Al Groth can be heard on the rocker "Looking For Love" and the double shuffle "Slow Burn". Westside Andy Linderman is the harpist on the last four tracks. Including the swinging "Someday When I'm Dead and Gone", the dramatic slow blues "I Can Do You Right", "She's Moving On" and the rocking sweet ending "I'm Your Honey Boy".
Rootstime Belgium - Eric Schuurmans
Dear blues parish ... it is good to be able to introduce a new pastor to you. Although new ... Reverend Raven has been in Blues for 20 years together with his Chain Smokin` Altar Boys and has played in almost every tent in the Midwest and Florida.
This eighth album from our pastor is a compilation album with old songs in a new mix and in some cases re-recorded. It is mainly Chicago blues that hits the clock here. In the style of, for example, Little Charlie & The Nightcats or The Fabulous Thunderbirds.
Thus Handyman is a lazy shuffle with scorching harmonica by Westside Andy. The minister offers himself in this issue as handyman, who can do something in every room of your house. Including the bedroom ...
In the shuffle Bee Hive Baby with his thunderous drums, the reverend goes on the Casanova tour. He does this with lyrics like "You look so good, you make my stinger rise" The shuffle Creature Of Habit has an irresistible drive with a roaring harmonica solo. In Bad Little Girls the vicar is again on slippery ice with a nice swinging shuffle.
In the funky shuffle I Want To Love, the vicar explains his parish of love, accompanied by roaring harmonica and piercing guitar. Once The Women Start Talking mixes blues with rhumba. Loosely rocking from the hips, the minister makes sure that the female part of his parish turns away from him. In the pumping right for his turn Chicago blues from My Life, the pastor looks back on his life. The raw Big Bee with distorted vocals reminds, not surprisingly, a lot of "I'm A King Bee" but then a lot of raw. The slow-blues I Can Do You Right stands out for its deep soul sound. The reverend lets his piercing guitar speak fine in the funky She's Moving On.
The smoothly swinging shuffle I'm Your Honeyboy takes care of the closing of this album.
There is not really one bad song on this album. An album with which our pastor will certainly win new blues souls.
Blues Magazine (Netherlands) - Peter Marinus
Looking back over 20 years of living on the road, this crew rerecorded or remastered their high points from their back pages. A loping, easy going good time that has a total blue lights in the basement feel, these white boys with the blues make sounds for that party that doesn't need to raucous energy to keep the energy flowing. Tasty stuff from some of the hardest working blues road warriors out there, it's time for them to be less of local Milwaukee treat and let the word get out. Hot stuff.
Midwest Record Review - Midwest Record Review
Reverend Raven & company are celebrating 20 years of playing blues throughout the Mid-West and Florida. The Reverend has been playing blues ever since 1971, when he saw Freddie King perform. I guess you could call that his "Damascus Road" experience. It would have been enough to knock me off my ass, to be sure. After a 15 year stint in the Navy he moved to Milwaukee, where he teamed up with Madison Slim. He and Slim went to work, and the Reverend has hardly taken a break ever since. Personnel have changed over the years, but the band has done nothing but get tighter with each passing gig. This is Blues to the core...the kind of stuff that has been pouring out of jukes, roadhouses, clubs, bars and dives every weekend since the blues began (pretty much). Not unlike the DC based Nighthawks, these guys have a deep love for the blues in all forms and give 100%, whether playing for a small club or at a huge festival. Their years on the road, while not making them rich, has honed their skills and their ability to read the crowd, to a razor sharpness. Having had the pleasure of seeing the band perform live, I found their Twentieth Anniversary compilation to be everything I expected and then some. Raven is as sharp as ever on guitars and his vocals are smooth as a well-aged bourbon. The four harmonica players represented are among the best in the business, the rhythm sections are tight and right on the money and the piano/organ players...you get the idea. This is an album I would suggest getting several copies of...that first copy is sure to wear out quickly. These guys do their blues heroes proud. If, by chance, you have never heard of the Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys, now is as good a time as any. This is as good as it gets.
Reflection in Blue - Bill Wilson
Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin' Altar Boys have done it again! Here we go with their eighth CD and it is fabulous! Hailing from Milwaukee, The Reverend and his boys have played and toured the known universe for 20 years now! Over those years they have played about every venue you can think of, while sharing the stage with about every blues Icon you can think of. This wonderful compilation of their best stuff is fabulous! How do you pick the best out of 20 years together? Well, you find a way. Pulling from their four studio albums they have remixed, or all together just bluesed up a new version with some new players helping out. Reverend Raven nails it with his outstanding vocals, guitar, and slide work! That big baritone voice just lays right in there. Talk about harmonica players this CD features some genuine monsters! Cadillac Pete Rahn, Madison Slim, Benny Rickun, and Westside Andy Linderman just blow up the tracks! I mean outstanding harp players! If you're a harp lover, this is enough to
get the CD! Born and raised on the South side of Chicago the Reverends credentials and background are impeccable! Over the last thirty years he has opened Perkins, Junior Wells, Magic Slim Elvin Bishop, Sugar Blue, tons of others, and has been on headliner status rotation at Buddy Guys Legends Club for sixteen years! Go to www.reverendraven.com and check out his extensive career! Reverend Raven "My Life"! Twenty years of the best of the best. Just ace top drawer!
Better check it out. One Love, blue barry – smoky mountain blues society.
Smoky Mountain Blues Society - Blue Barry
"Each track has it's own timbre and sound and gives one a smorgasbord of listening pleasure."
Blues Music Magazine - Pete Sardon
in PRESS, NEWS
Reverend Raven at Chain O' Lakes Blues Fest
The Rev and his Chain O' Smokin' Altar Boys Deliver the Blues
Michael: Tell me about the Altar Boys.
Reverend: They're a talented group of musician friends of mine. The current version of the band includes Westside Andy who is an incredible harmonica player, and I'm honored he's with us.
M: Danny Moore has been around a awhile.
R: He's played piano with Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, and many others. He's one of the best. P.T. Pedersen my bass player toured with Charlie Musslewhite, Big Walter Horton, Pinetop Perkins…that's a great resume right there. In fact P.T. just reconnected with Musslewhite at the Bayfront Blues Festival. They hadn't seen one another in about 35 years, so that was pretty cool telling stories from back in the day…I always wanted to ask Charlie if P.T. was telling the truth about Charlie hitting a pig and totaling his truck (laugh).
M: There's a book to be written telling tales of the road. You have a favorite?
R: I remember Danny once eating some magic brownies (laugh). He doesn't drink…he doesn't do anything, but he likes food. Somebody offered him a plate of brownies, he says he ate one…I think he ate more than one. In the middle of a set I hear this weird jazz being played. I look behind me at him and he has this giant smile on his face. I leaned over and suggested he take a break. He said very happily 'Okay' and off he went.
M: And your rhythm section?
R: Bobby Lee Sellers on drums is a guy who's always in demand as a session drummer when he's not gigging with us, and his vocals help make the blues sound we create over the top.
M: You like the ensemble.
R: Love it. Nothing makes me crazier than a three-piece band that lags because of the lead guitar. My all-time favorite three piece is the Bel Airs out of Columbia, Missouri. I've always liked the larger ensemble with the piano and harmonica, bands like Muddy Waters, Jimmie Rogers.
M: And Freddie King was who hooked you?
R: My whole childhood I was like the kid in The Wonder Years, I wasn't born into the blues, whereas my brother who was seven years older was in the middle of the whole hippie-thing, and flower power. He was bringing home the Stones and Yardbirds, we lived on the south side of Chicago on 66th and Winchester. Then he discovered Muddy Waters lived and played right across the expressway, and Howlin' Wolf was part of the live music scene. Then all of a sudden he and his buddies were going to all the clubs. That was the big hippie invasion of all the black clubs on the south side, and he started bringing all those records home.
M: But you were the youngster.
R: I didn't see anybody until I was 17 years old. And that was at the Kinetic Playground which was like Bill Graham used to be at the Fillmore, Aaron Russo who went on to become Linda Ronstadt's manager…he had the Kinetic Playground club, and that was pretty much like the Fillmore, same deal…a blues act, the the Buddy Rich Orchestra, then the Who…something like that. Well, my first night Freddie King was opening for Jeff Beck, and Freddie stole the show. He had the Leon Russell Band backing him up, and he was out there with his red suit, red patten leather shoes, a guitar with a 200-foot cord, and he's standing in the middle of 2000 hippies just ripping it up!
M: And that was it for you.
R: Stopped playing rock n' roll right then and there. I wanted to be a blues guy, and started really practicing and woodshedding. Then I went in the Navy (laugh)!
M: What?
R: Yeah. I put the guitar away for 15 years.
M: I can't believe that.
R: Didn't start playing again until I was 38. The last two years I was in the Navy I had a guitar, and I sat in on a jam session in St. Paul while I was on a training trip. I caught the bug again. I had a hippie girlfriend from Oshkosh who didn't like my being in the military, so I got out for a couple years just to try it, fully intending to go back into the Navy.
M: But?
R: I started getting some gigs. And started getting fatter and fatter (laugh). Had a heart attack. Can you imagine the Navy didn't want me back?
M: Whatever happened to the hippie girlfriend?
R: She's a psychologist.
M: I checked your schedule, and you're booked!
R: I've always been the kind of person who wants to see what's on the other side of the hill. I joined the Navy (laugh) to get out of town, grow a beard, get a tattoo, and drink my way through all the ports around the world. I got home and was assigned to shore duty in Chicago, then got orders to Oshkosh. I remember asking my detailer what the hell the Navy was doing in Oshkosh? He told me I was going to train reservists. And this was the late 80's, and the live music-thing was still going on, Blue Tail Fly was going on, Janet Planet was huge…there was still a great music scene in the Fox Valley. I got out of the Navy, and into the music, moved to Milwaukee and started going on the road. What can I say? I'm a gadfly. It's terrible (laugh).
M: You still dig the greats?
R: Absolutely. Still love Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells…my go-to album is Hoodoo Man. Contemporary artists I listen to anything Kim Wilson (of the Fabulous Thunderbirds) does, Barrelhouse Chuck, Billy Flynn. New bands I like the 44's, Nick Moss out of Chicago, Rockin' Johnny is cool, Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones.
M: Do you listen back to your own music?
R: At home I'll record myself, listen to it, pick things out I don't like and try to change them. That's why I was happy with the Big Bull CD, it turned out like it sounds in my head on a good night.
M: Big Bull took something like two years to complete?
R: I already had a live CD out, "Live at the Red Rocket" which is a bootleg CD I'll be putting out every year, but that's mainly for fans who come see us. It's mostly covers that I'd never include on a regular album. But, we ended up with these recordings, and Steve Hamilton produced and engineered Big Bull. Steve works with Jackson Browne, and does the Steel Bridge Songfest in Sturgeon Bay, he's done a lot of work with Jim Liban and Short Stuff. Steve said he had some music of mine he had recorded from 2012 that I'd never heard, and then some more recent recordings, two songs of which from Red Rocket, and that's the Big Bull album.
M: And the Chain O' Lakes Blues Festival?
R: Get your tickets early. There's a great bunch of bands, and it gets packed. We're looking forward to playing the Indian Crossing Casino again!
Scene Newspaper- Michael Casper
'Live at Big Bull' reviews
Natchel Blues Network- Brian "Bluesman" Beachum
No matter if it's winter, it's time to bring a summer blues festival right to your CD player. Stick in the new release from Reverend Rave and, whether it's in your car or in the home player, you are in for a kickin' good time! Put on your flip-flops, pull out the beach chair and slide on those RayBans! The concert is about to begin! The release was recorded live at The Big Bull Blues Festival, held each year in Wausau, WI. This recording was the one in 2013. As a bonus, two tracks recorded at Kochanski's Concertina Beer in Milwaukee in 2013 as well, and were added to bring the total tracks to ten live tunes on the CD. The band consists of Reverend Raven on guitar and vocals, P.T. Pedersen SC on a killer bass, Danny Moore hits the piano and a mean B3 organ, and Bobby Lee Sellers Jr. keeps the beat on drums and adds some vocals, too. Some special guests show up on a few tracks. West Side Andy and Benny Rickun trade paces on some mean blues harp, while Big Al Groth jumps on the tenor sax on the cut "Chicken Heads." The Live performance kicks off with Earl Hooker's driving instrumental, "Hot And Heavy," and never lets up. Originals that keep the crowds up and jumping are "Walking To Chicago," "You Didn't Even Say Goodbye" and "Stomping & Shouting," which is just what everyone is doing - including me! The Reverend includes the classics, too. Elmore James' instrumental cover "Hawaiian Boogie #3" is in there. So is a wailing version of "She's Nineteen Years Old." Oh My! This is over one-hour of a party! Just pop it in a kick it up! This is also a great road-trip CD. You just have to remember to keep your hands on the wheel and your feet on the pedals. Once you hear it, you'll understand! Pick it up today. You can thank me tomorrow. Or when you get back from that road trip!
Blues Blast Magazine- Bob Kieser
"Best Live CD of the Year" 2015
Independent Blues Scene- RICHARD L'HOMMEDIEU
"Best Live CD" 2015
Western Michigan Blues Society Newsletter - Tim Richards
I had never heard of The Rev but with a name like that I knew it had to be good and despite a rotation of some members he has never failed to give 110% at his live performances. I've seen him many times since and have never been disappointed.
This recording was made in 2012 & 14 at the Big Bull Blues Festival in Wausau, WI., and a show in 2013 in Milwaukee where the Rev leads his high energy troupe through blues music that makes your heart soar and your foot tappin' goes into warp speed.
Opening the 2014 segment is the rumbling rhythm section of PT Pedersen on bass and Bobby Lee Sellers on drums who lay down a solid platform for Danny Moore's sizzling keyboard work on the Earl Hooker instrumental Hot and Heavy in which harpist Westside Andy Linderman tries his best to blow the roof off. As always The Rev steps in and lays down some serious fret work to round things out. I think Gerry Hundt had The Rev in mind when he wrote
Walking to Chicago because it's a perfect fit that showcases some of Moore's great piano playing. \
The Rev penned You Didn't Even Say Goodbye featuring once again the dynamic harp work of Westside Andy. Bobby Lee Sellers
takes over the vocal duties on the Muddy Waters She's Nineteen Years Old and the band blazes through My Life a tribute penned by The Rev for his wife.
Jumping back to the 2012 festival features Benny Rickun blowin' some fat harp on Elmore James Hawaiian Boogie on which he trades high powered licks with The Rev. The whole band gets down on Gerry Hundt's Stomping & Shouting which with this crew is an understatement. Big Al Groth and his smokin' sax makes his only appearance on this disc during Bobby's Rush's Chicken Heads in which the band amps up the funk to the point where sitting still is impossible.
Cuts from a 2013 show in Milwaukee include Sleepy John Estes Diving Duck Blues and The Rev's show closer Looking for Love which does nothing less than set the stage a blaze with the Moor's pounding piano and Rev's riveting guitar.
Performances like the ones showcased here are just a small portion a live performance. So the next time you get a chance, don't hesitate, head out on the run to see Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys. It'll be a life changing event.
Colorado Blues Society Holler- Chick Cavallero
Besides having one of the coolest band names around, Reverend Raven and the Chain Smoking Altar Boys have a reputation for kick a$$ live performances. This is a pile driving tribute to Chicago blues. It's mostly covers, but when they are done as clean and powerful as the Reverend does them, it's OK in my book. The bulk of the CD was recorded live at The Big Bull Falls Blues festival, with a couple others at Kochanski's Concertina Beer Hall. The covers are classics: Elmore James' "Hawaiian Boogie", Muddy Waters' "She's 19 Years Old", Bobby Rush's "Chicken Heads", Earl Hooker's "Hot and Heavy" and John Estes "Diving Duck Blues". These are tasty numbers mixed in with some admirable tunes by Gerry Hundt and a few Reverend Raven originals. Some bands are at home in a studio, playing 'nice', but the Reverend is at his best on a live stage with inciting a screaming crowd with his explosive style of the blues. Some live albums come out sounding 'tinny' butLive at Big Bullrealy captures the wildness of a live show. The Reverend's guitar work is sweet and joining the Altar Boys for several number are Benny Rickun and Westside Andy Linderman, both showcasing some slick harmonica playing that really gives this Cd that 50's Chicago blues feel to it. This is a fine CD and is up for a Blues Blast Award for best Live CD. If you aren't familiar with Reverend Raven, this is definitely worth a listen.
Blues Music Magazine - Mark Thompson
The band with the best name in the business opens with its veteran rhythm section of PT Pedersen on bass and Bobby Lee Sellers on drums setting a driving pace on the opening instrumental, "Hot and Heavy," allowing Danny Moore to give the Hammond organ a wild ride before…
Bman's Blues Report- Bman
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!
Making A Scene- Richard Ludmerer
Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin' Altar Boys just hosted the Tuesday night jam on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise. Born and raised in Chicago guitarist Reverend Richard Raven has been playing the blues since he first saw Freddie King in 1971. The Reverend has opened for B.B. King, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Pinetop Perkins, Koko Taylor, Junior Wells, Magic Slim, Elvin Bishop, William Clarke, and Tommy Castro; just to name a few. The Reverend released his first album "Slow Burn" in 1998. Today he is a resident of Appleton, Wisconsin.
Reverend Raven and The Chain Smokin' Altar Boys' 2010 recording "Shake Your Boogie" resulted in a 2011 Blues Blast Award nomination for both "Best Blues Band" and "Best Song". They were also voted "Best Blues Band" by The Shepherd Express Reader's Poll in 2012 and 2014. They won the Wisconsin Music Industry (WAMI) award for "Best Blues Band" a total of seven times, the last time being in 2015.
Live at Big Bull is The Rev's fifth album overall. Currently The Altar Boys consist of Raven, guitar and vocals; PT Pedersen SC, bass; Robert Lee Sellers Jr., drums, "Pork Chop" Danny Moore, formerly with Willie Nelson's band, piano; and Westside Andy Linderman or Benny Rickun, harmonica. Big Al Groth guests on saxophone.
The Rev has received many accolades for his guitar playing. The band opens with the first of several songs paying tribute to those slide guitarists who have inspired him. "Hot and Heavy" is from Earl Hooker while"Hawaiian Boogie" is from Elmore James. Covered also are "Diving Duck Blues" from Sleepy John Estes and Muddy Waters' "She's Nineteen Years Old".
"Chicken Heads" is from Bobby Rush. Both "Walking to Chicago" and "Stomping and Shouting" were written by Gerry Hundt also of Appleton, WI. Raven's originals include "You Didn't Even Say Goodbye", "My Life" and "Looking For Love".
Reverend Raven and The Chain Smokin' Altar Boys are one of those bands that you never want to miss when they're in town. This great set is just some of what you will hear at one of their live shows.
Crossroads Blues Society Newsletter - Steve Jones
The Rev has taken some of his great performances in Wausau at the Big Bull Falls Blues Festival and sand-wiched in a few tracks from Kochanski's Con-certina Bar to replace ones that did not trans-fer well from the Big Bull Falls recordings to create a very cool live album from 2012 and 2014.
The 2012 set is Earl Hookers' "Hot and Heavy" and Bobby Rush's "Chicken Heads." from 2014 at the Big Bull are "Hawaiin Boogie," a great Elmore James cover, Sleepy John Estes "Diving Duck Blues," Gerry Hundt's "Stomping and Shouting" and Muddy's "She's Nineteen Year's Old." The Kochanski's cuts are Walking to Chicago (another r super Gerry Hundt tune), and two of Revs' originals "You Didn't Even Say Goodbye" and "looking for Love."
Anyone who has ever seen the Rev and the Boys play know these songs as staples of the Rev's live shows. Westside Andy handles the harp duties on half the cuts while Benny Rickun is on the other half. Big Al Groth makes one appearance on "Chicken Heads," adding his soulful tenor sax to the mix. Along with the Rev are PT Pedersen on bass, Robert Lee Sellers on drums (and once vocal) and Danny Moore on the keys.
Captured here are the joy and energy that is so evident at one of Reverend Raven's live shows. Thos band has emerged as my favor-ite blues band in the mid-west, putting on amazing, entertaining shows. I highly recom-mend this for Rev's fans and his fans to be. If you listen to this (or listen to a live show) you will instantly become a fan. Don't delay–get one today!
'Shake Your Boogie' Reviews
Shake Your Boogie - Press Quotes
Shake Your Boogie is still in the top 15 blues cds on roots radio around the world! Roots Music Report
Top 3 on Internet Radio for blues! Roots Music Report
Top selling Chicago Blues CDs at CDBaby (for 5 months) - AND - Top Chicago Style Blues song #1 Stomping and Shouting! CDBaby
"Rev, received the new CD, it's an exciting release. Look forward to your gigs in the Virgin Islands." - Doug Dick/WVGN/Virgin Islands
"This is good time Chicago blues played by some seasoned musicians who know how to play the blues the right way. The clever song selection and the live feel of the album make "Shake Your Boogie" a CD well worth attention" Przemek Draheim/Poland Blues
"Just listened to Shake Your Boogie. Easily in my top ten cd's of the year. I will be playing this cd a lot." - Kevin Hardy, Main Street Blues- Kansas City Online Radio
"Love your new cd. It's killer" - Bob Ancheta Sunday Night Blues Room
"I wanted to let you know I received your latest CD on Saturday. It's smokin" - Hieronymus Muryphy's Blues Podcast
"Our Blues hosts were eager to share and it got some spins last Blues Friday night." - Jeff Dabel/WXPR Radio
"Great show at Blues Saloon on Saturday night! I picked up the new CD "Shake Your Boogie" and it is wonderful. In my opinion, it is the best yet and belongs in every stocking this Christmas." - James Pinckney, Vice President, Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society
"A formidable and incredibly diverse guitarist...Shake Your Boogie will surely serve to save some souls for the blues". - Geoff Trubow, ChicagoBluesGuide.com
""I f$%^ing love it" - Stefan Levy, Blues Foundation
Spectacular new disc has debuted #7 on our brand new Top 30 chart, which we submit monthly to Living Blues Magazine. This is, in my opinion, far and away the best album you have ever released...so good possible for our End Of Year Chart for best cd releases of 2010." - Gary Reinhard, Blues Director and host of Bad Dog Blues on WITR Radio
Blues Blast Magazine - John Mitchell
The Reverend spent 15 years serving in the Navy where one of his duties was to counsel sailors who found themselves in hot water. His charges gave him the nickname Reverend and it stuck. The Chain Smokin' Altar Boys sounds like it was a natural addition, especially once you hear the hot blues these guys serve up!
The band began in 1996 and this is their fourth CD. They are a very hard working band whose gig list is already pretty full right through 2011. They are based in Wisconsin, but tour extensively, with Florida, Canada and the Virgin Islands on their gig list for next year.
The music on this CD is excellent, well played and recorded, with variety but most importantly a fair degree of excitement. The core of the band is Reverend Raven on guitar and vocals, PT Pedersen on bass, Bobby Lee Sellers on drums (and vocals on two cuts) and Big Al Groth on sax. Madison Slim provides harp and vocals on four tracks, where an alternative rhythm section of Andre Maritato on bass and Spencer Panosh on drums sit in and the sax is absent. Piano and organ are provided by either Mickey Larson or Danny Moore on most tracks. Reverend Raven wrote three of the songs, with the sole instrumental being from the pen of the bass player. Gerry Hundt, former member of Nick Moss' Fliptops is the author of two tracks and covers come from Hound Dog Taylor, Slim Harpo, Little Milton, St Louis Jimmy Oden, Robert Nighthawk and Sonny Boy Williamson. The album was recorded live on stage in Milwaukee, but from the absence of any crowd noise I assume that it was 'live' without an audience.
The CD starts off with a strong quartet of songs, two being Reverend Raven originals. Opener "Looking For Love" features Big Al's sax over a riff not far away from "Checking Up On My Baby". The Rev's vocals are clear and well suited to this mid-paced swinger where his lady is encouraged to "put it on a train, put it on a truck, put it on a plane, put it on a bus, first stop Chicago, I need your love". Second track is Gerry Hundt's "Stomping And Shouting", a slide driven tune with powerhouse drumming and classic piano supporting The Rev's Elmore style playing. Once again, the sax break is right on the money.
Next up is the second Reverend original "You Didn't Even Say Goodbye" which features some nice sax/guitar ensemble playing and excellent solos from both lead players. Little Milton's "Just Count The Days" is a slow blues with drummer Bobby Lee Sellers singing, lovely rolling piano from Mickey Larson and a sax solo that builds from a slow, sinuous beginning to a real storming climax.
There is a different feel to the material recorded with Madison Slim. Track 5 is an energetic take on St Louis Jimmy's "She's Murder", with fast paced drumming pushing the beat along. The harp playing is strong here and Madsion Slim's voice is a little less smooth than The Reverend's. All these features make it an excellent choice to spread the four tunes recoded with that ensemble through the album as it affords more variety.
Next up is the second track sung by Bobby Lee Sellers, Robert Nighthawk's "Bricks In My Pillow", the stop/start rhythm on the drums is assisted by piano and that provides a good cushion for an exuberant guitar break. Track 7 "Like Wolf", again performed by the alternate group with Madison Slim, is by SBW and the low down harp intro sets the tone for a classic Chicago sound. Hound Dog Taylor's "The Woman I Love" follows, naturally with plenty of slide but also the sax soaring out of the mix to blend with the guitar, overall making for an exciting ride along the longest track on the CD.
After that we need a change of pace and it is provided by the final original "I Can Do You Right", a slow blues with a melancholy tale of love gone cold. An elegant and emotional sax solo sonically locates us in the same sad place as the lyric. Instrumental tune "PT's Home Cooking" follows, offering solo opportunities for everyone which are keenly taken on a tune that is almost rock n' roll.
The alternate band reappears on a take of Slim Harpo's "Mailbox Blues" which features The Reverend's guitar strongly, even including a bit of the "chicken scratch" rhythm. "Walking To Chicago" is the final cut of the main band and the second from the pen of Gerry Hundt. A strong guitar solo and the final appearance of Big Al's sax make this an enjoyable track. The last track is again from the alternate band, a fast paced romp through Big Joe Williams' "Shake Your Boogie" which provides the title of the CD. Some nice piano features here, as well as strong harp and guitar.
Overall I really enjoyed this CD and recommend it highly. I see that Reverend Raven And The Smokin' Altar Boys are playing at the pre-cruise party for the January Blues Cruise in Fort Lauderdale, so I very much look forward to the opportunity of seeing them live. I do not expect to be disappointed
Reviewer John Mitchell is a blues enthusiast based in the UK. He recently attended the Blues Blast Awards in Chicago and had a great time! Back in the USA for the January 2011 Blues Cruise!
Stefan Levy - Stefan Levy, Blues Foundation Board
This is a must have for your Blues collection
These guys are guaranteed not to disappoint. All these songs present a wonderful medley of instrumentation and vocals, as tight as you can get. Makes you happy, gets your feet movin, makes you want to boogie. Some wonderful hot guitar licks, foot stompin fun , boogie down home soulful harp that wails, mellow subtle sax with all the right tones at the right moments, lifts you up and takes you down slow and funky. Suberb blend of multiple talents. This is a must have for your Blues collection that's gonna make you feel Good!
Mary4Music.com- Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
We are very pleased to have Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys join the ever growing list of repeat performers here at www.Mary4Music.com. It's hard to believe that four years have passed since I first worked with the band on the "Big Bee" album. That's when there were just three altar boys. Since then, the group has grown to eight of the chain smokers.
Recorded live, over two sessions, two different ensembles were used on "Shake Your Boogie". With Reverend Raven, on guitar and vocals, as the constant, the CSAB consisted of: Madison Slim on harmonica and vocals; Big Al Groth on saxophone; Bobby Lee Sellers Jr and Spencer Panosh on drums; PT Pederson and Andre Maritato on bass; and Mickey Larson and Danny Moore on piano & organ. Additionally, Benny Rickum and Bill Stace performed background vocals on one track.
"Stomping and Shouting" are just a few of the motions this one will have you doin'. I'm sure tappin' (foot), snappin' (fingers), bobbin' (head) and swayin' (body) will be others. This one's your typical lock all the players into one hell of a hot groove and let your front men loose kind of track. The Reverend and the big guy are masterful on slide guitar and saxophone.
It was only three seconds into this track and I already knew it would make my highlights list. Those opening scorching blues guitar notes immediately had me. Then in came Big Al's deep, sultry sax sound followed by the Reverend belting the hell out some blues and I knew I was listening to an amazingly well done version of Little Milton's "Just Count The Days". This may very well have been the best six minutes of my day today. The blues just doesn't get any better than this.
If low down dirty blues is your blues of choice, then one of several originals - "I Can Do You Right" - will certainly do just that. In between two slow and soulful vocal verses, Big Al - easily at discs best on sax - performs a virtual two and a half minute tutorial on the instrument.
I don't know what the dish is but I promise you that whatever it is "PT's Home Cooking" will be served hot. The ingredients for this instrumentally delicious dish include portions of sizzlin' sax by Big Al, doses of tasty piano by Danny, plenty of smokin' rhythm from Bobby and PT, and finger lickin' guitar leads by the Reverend. You'll definitely want more than one serving of this one - I'm already on my fourth. Phenomenal work right here.
If you're planning on "Walking To Chicago", do it while listening to this track - you'll get there faster. This is one of those hard drivin', keep on truckin' type songs that you just want to move fast to. After all, that's what all the musicians are doing.
"Shake Your Boogie" will surely get your booty shakin'. That will be partly due to the unrestrained rhythm Spencer and Andre are putting out on drums and bass, the frolicsome piano being played by Mickey, the wailful harp blowin' from Madison and the torrid guitar licks from the Reverend. If this one didn't get you moving, call a doctor - quick.
Other tracks on "Shake Your Boogie" include: "Looking For Love", "You Didn't Even Say Goodbye", "She's Murder", "Bricks In My Pillow", "Like Wolf", "The Woman I Love", and "Mailbox Blues".
In a statement I read on the one sheet accompanying the disc, my good friend Bobby "Bluesbobby" Weinberg is quoted as saying the music of Reverend Raven and the Chain Smoking Altar Boys is "Blues the way it was meant to be played and blues the way it was meant to be heard". I couldn't agree more.
Crossroads Blues Society- Steve Jones
Rick (aka The Reverend) Raven and the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys may be a regional act out of Milwaukee but they sound as big and solid as anyone else out there on the blues scene. The blistering guitar work, poignant sax and harp, and gritty vocals make these guys one of my favorites to go see when they come to town.
A few years ago when I'd heard Rick Raven had traded in his harp player for a sax player I wondered how it would sound. Between Madison Slim and Benny Rickun as his harp players, the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys sound was a perfect accompaniment to Raven's solid guitar and vocals. Those concerns dissipated the first time I heard him live with Big Al Groth on sax. For those of you who may not have heard them live together, the first track on this CD will dispel any concerns. "Looking for Love" is burning hot and Groth's sax work fans the flames oh-so nicely. Rick wrote the song and it is a nice original cut. Groth appears on most of the CD (nine tracks); the songs where Al is not featured on sax feature Madison Slim on harp. Slim's harp work is exceptional and he provides gritty vocals on those four tracks, too. "She's Murder", "Like Wolf", "Mail Box Blues" and "Shake Your Boogie" are superb covers with the Rev beating out some great blues as Slim wails on harp and vocals.
Track two was penned by another local favorite, the very talented Gerry Hundt. "Stomping and Shouting" feature Raven's brand of nasal-bluesy, down home vocals and stinging guitar; Groth's sax solo is really hot about half way through and then Raven takes over the lead on guitar and is equally hot. His solo closes the song and by the end I felt like I needed a bottle of water to cool off. Probably the best track here, but it's hard to compare because the new and covered stuff is great, too. Hundt also wrote "Walking to Chicago", a grooving tune that Rick and Al blast away on. Raven's "You Didn't Even Say Goodbye" swings and jives with Raven and Groth playing back and forth and together tightly.
This is an excellent CD that both new and old fans will appreciate. We get to hear a few older tracks with Madison Slim and a lot of newer ones with the Big Al Groth; both of these guys are superb in support of the Rev. And one cannot leave out the current or older back line guys. PT Pederson and Bobby Lee Sellers Jr are great on bass and drums, and Sellers sings exceptionally well on a couple of cuts where he is featured. The songs with Slim feature Andre Maritato and Spencer Panosh on bass and drums and also Mickey Larson on keys. Danny Moore provided keyboard support on four of the newer tracks. All in all, this is one heck of a rocking blues CD. Highly recommended!
Juke Joint Soul- Ben Cox
Rik Raven has been making music since he left the Armed Forces. He's been one of the well-respected veterans of the blues in the Upper Midwest for nearly three decades now. He's quietly been playing the bars, dives, and blues festivals everywhere in between; mixing old school Chicago with a modern day twist. Known as "Reverend" because of his days as a chaplain in the Armed Forces, Rik's tasteful guitar and solid ensemble of the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys let us all know that the sounds of Chicago's past are still alive and relevant today.
On this thirteen track blues party, Raven intermingles his solid original writing talent with seven well done covers that are often never touched. The one thing that will immediately slap you in the face is the awesome, visceral power of Altar Boy Big Al Groth's sensational sax playing. Blowing like a fierce combo of Eddie Shaw, A.C. Reed, and Lester Young all rolled into one. He slams right along with the Hound Dog Taylor clasic "The Woman I Love" or uses a slow-roasted boil on the 12-bar of Little Milton's "Just Count the Days." The next thing that you should take notice of is Raven's timing, taste, and tone switching between his sharp 6-string fire and the raw, gutbucket slide. Nothing seems to be out of his reach on guitar. He's not flashy. He's not even fast, but he's damn sure tasteful - playing the right notes at the right time. Bobby Sellers, Jr. revives with a soulful croon Little Milton's "Just Count the Days" and Robert Nighthawk's "Bricks In My Pillow." Raven's not scared to draw from contemporaries for source material here - as he uses two Gerry Hundt (that's right mandolinist/Nick Moss & the Flip Tops) songs. The raucus "Stomping and Shouting" and the typical road song to Chicago - "Walking To Chicago" are all great testaments to both Raven's interpretative power and Hundt's steeped tradition. The final salvo on the album is the album's title track - a Big Joe Williams original. The album is a perfect tie-off for both Raven's ties to the Chicago tradition and the fun blues party he created over the previous 12 tracks.
Raven & the Boys aren't flashy players, nor do they want to be. They know the music well. They play it well-informed. These guys are road veterans who've gone under the radar long enough. Their solid mixture of their own little phrases along with the traditional Chicago idiom are a statement that traditionalism isn't a dusty museum piece. It also demonstrates the relevancy of Chicago Blues in today's contemporary scene. In other words, good music is good music and these guys know how to make it.
Shepherd Express- Jamie Lee Rake
Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys
Shake Your Boogie (Nevermore)
The blues band with arguably the best name in Milwaukee isn't out to reinvent or innovate anything on their latest album. That's perfectly fine, however, as Shake Your Boogie accomplishes its goal of bringing the party with hearty soulfulness. Their sound is drawn from their collection of Chess/Checker, Delmark and Alligator electric blues records, topped with ample dollops of Big Al Groth's sax, Madison Slim's harmonica and the contributions of a couple of pianists/organists. Recording before a live audience at the Miramar Theatre may have amped up the band's energy even more. Remakes of numbers by luminaries such as Sonny Boy Williamson, Robert Nighthawk and Hound Dog Taylor make up the majority of the set's 13 tunes, but the Rev and bassist P.T. Pedersen aren't slouches in the songwriting department.
South Florida Blues Society - Blues Bobby, President, South Florida Blues Society
"Living my whole life on the east coast, to my dismay, I had never heard of Reverand Raven. Sadly, he was not heavily promoted outside of the mid-west. Thankfully, all that changed one fateful night in 2007, when I stumbled into the Back Room in Boca Raton, Florida, a favorite hangout of mine. That evening was magical! What I was treated to was one of those rare instances when you truly reach musical nirvana. Blues the way it was meant to be. The way it was meant to be played, and the way it was meant to be heard. Life didn't get any better than it was right then and there. Well since then I made myself very familiar with Reverand Raven & The Chain Smoking Altar Boys. They're no longer what was once America's best kept Blues secret. If you're like me and like straight ahead, hardcore, unadulterated Blues, then you don't have to go any further than putting on their latest CD, "Shake Your Boogie". With strong musicianship all around, this band has got it all. There's not a bad track on this disc. It captures that same "live" experience, I had that night. It's consistent through and through with intensity and high energy. They'll transport you to a place you want to be, and won't want to leave."
Big City Blues News- Steve Seymour
Reverend Raven throws blues party
Nobody has accused Reverend Raven of rushing to get new product released. Since his "Slow Burn" debut with the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys in 1998, Raven took his time to issue "Live at Blues on Grand" in 2004, while "Big Bee" arrived two years later. Just out, "Shake Your Boogie," Raven's new CD, is well worth the four-year wait. The fresh disc features an hour-long program of well-honed originals and a hot batch of lesser known covers. Raven put the disc together from two live shows--performed years apart-- at Milwaukee's Miramar Theater. The older recordings spotlight Madison Slim (harmonica and vocal), Andre Maritato (bass), Spencer "Kid" Panosh (drums) and the late Mickey Larson (keys) putting their all into four cover songs, including a terrific version of "She's Murder." Current Chain Smokin' Altar Boys, including Big Al Groth (saxophone), P.T. Pedersen (bass) and Bobby Lee Sellers Jr. (drums), demonstrate their powess on the originals, penned by Raven and Chicago-area songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Gerry Hundt. Raven opens the disc with his own "Looking For Love," before tackling Hundt's "Stomping And Shouting." The singer and guitarist follows with another original, "You Didn't Even Say Goodbye," with a lyrical surprise and the end. With drummer Sellers taking lead vocals, the band puts an insistent groove on Little Milton Campbell's "Count the Days," augmented by keyboardist Danny Moore. Madison Slim combines harmonica playing with singing on St. Louis Jimmy Oden's "She's Murder," also known as "Murder in the First Degree." Sellers returns to sing Robert Nighthawk's gritty "Bricks In My Pillow." Slim takes on Sonny Boy (Rice Miller) Williamson's "Like Wolf," delivering an awesome vocal along with tasty harp breaks. Raven delivers the vocals for "The Woman I Love," apparently adapted from "She's Gone," the opening track on Hound Dog Taylor's first album. The lead guitarist continues with the original, "I Can Do You Right," pleading: "Honey, you said some man done you wrong, well I can do you right." Next, the band shines on the instrumental work-out "P.T.'s Home Cooking," credited to Pedersen. Then, Madison Slim makes another appearance to lead the band through Slim Harpo's "Mail Box Blues." Midwest bluesman Gerry Hundt also composed "Walking to Chicago," which Raven sings with conviction. Raven's blues get-together concludes with an exhuberant rendition of the title song, "Shake Your Boogie," which starts with Slim's harmonica. The band cooks on this country blues song written and recorded by Big Joe Williams in 1965. The CD runs seamlessly despite alternating between the two different line-ups and three different singers. Raven's flawless Gibson guitar work ties the two shows together in fine fashion. Although Raven shares lead vocals on this album, he's a distinctive blues singer in his own right. Long-time band cohort Bill Stace engineered the sessions for the new CD, which were done without an audience, and with minimal overdubs. If you want a blues party, go to a live Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys show. Or, listen to "Shake Your Boogie." You'll have fun either way.
WNRB, 93.3 FM - Wausau - Bob "Blues Doctor" Decker
"Really enjoyed the new CD! Liked everything I heard especially "Looking For Love", "Stomping And Shouting", "She's Murder" & "Bricks In My Pillow". Good to see Madison Slim playing & recording again. Thanks for sending copies to the station and for the one you personally autographed!
The radio show has a segment - "New & Blue" - dedicated to new releases and Shake Your Boogie premiers on "The Clinic..." in that segment Jan. 5th. Once a recent recording premiers it goes into fairly regular rotation with other newer material. Your release is also looking VERY good for my Best of 2010 list!"
Bob "Blues Doctor" Decker, host of "Clinic of Boogie & Blues", WNRB, 93.3 FM, Wausau.
Roots Music Report-
Shake Your Boogie hit #12 on the Roots Music Report of top 100 blues cds for 2011.
'Big Bee' Reviews
Rik Raven & His Chain Smoking Altar Boys have been the namesake of Wisconsin's Blues Scene for a while now. This nugget of straight no chaser Chicago Blues came out in 2007 and packed a veritable punch. I made no bones about wanting to snatch this disc up and give it a listen after I saw Raven & Co. (with the new line-up that's not included on this disc) play The Alamo earlier this year. Raven walked on tables and around the bar and outside the bar, conjuring thoughts of the days on Chicago's West Side when Buddy Guy and Friends were redefining the electric blues.
There's no contrivances on this album. There's no filler. There's nothing to really debate or anything to think hard about. This is the electric blues. Given that Raven isn't trying to change the musical landscape or rivet our minds with mind-blowing ingenuity. This isn't homage nor is it a museum piece. This is straight ahead good, fun music. It is the blues as its meant to be played. Benny Rickun's harmonica is front and center almost through the entirety of the disc. There is some very laced and few and far between solos by the Rev, and when they are taken, they are fine and tasteful. Rickun and drummer Spencer Podash are two up and comers in the Milwaukee Blues scene. Rickun is a protege of Milwaukee harpster Jim Liban, who adds two songs to the proceedings. Raven has always been known to bring a good harpster to his table, and did so with this young tasteful player. Rickun, however, is no longer on tour with the Alter Boys. Bassist P.T. Pederson spent the majority of the 60s and 70s cutting his teeth in Charlie Musselwhite's band, so you know I've got no complaints there.
If you've listened to Muddy, Buddy, Slim Harpo, Magic Sam, Otis Rush, or The Wolf; many of these grooves won't be unfamiliar. Raven is just as sharp with his lyrics. Big Bee was one of the highlights of 2007 and is a great introduction for new fans to the sounds of Reverend Raven.
Mary4Music.com- Peter "Lauro" Blewzman
REVEREND RAVEN AND HIS CHAIN SMOKING ALTAR BOYS.....how can you not like a band called that? I don't know about you, but if I'm cruising the blues bins at the local record mart, this ones going in my cart on the name alone. C'mon, how can you go wrong? Anyone creative and daring enough to call his band REVEREND RAVEN AND HIS CHAIN SMOKING ALTAR BOYS has gotta have some talent.....and man this band does.
REVEREND RAVEN, author of most of the discs songs, leads the band on vocals and guitar, and the CSAB's are P. T. PEDERSON on bass, SPENCER PODASH on drums and BENNY RICKUN on harmonica.
"BIG BEE" opens with "MY LIFE", one of the discs many originals. It's a quick little number that gives you a taste of what's to come - lot's of great guitar and harmonica work backed up by some very tight rhythm with lots of well done vocals.
"SOMEDAY WHEN I'M DEAD AND GONE" is a sizzling jam with everyone at their peak. It's unquestionably one of the discs hottest tracks. Grooves this tight are what separates the professionals from the amateurs. This is the kind of stuff, that at live shows, causes everyone in the audience to look like a bunch of bobble heads and shuts up those obnoxious talkers by commanding even their attention. Man, It just doesn't get much better than this (said as the replay button's getting hit).
If hard blowing harp blues gets your blues boat floating, you're going to love "YOU AIN'T NO FRIEND OF MINE". By the end of this track, BENNY RICKUN is going to be a very good friend of yours. Aside from some great vocals by the REVEREND, this one's all about BENNY and his blowin'. Another of the discs continuous list of highlights.
"TWO TIMES FINE" is an all out rhythm race. As rapid as it is, SPENCER & P. T. are keeping perfect time. As one speeds it up, the other automatically keeps pace in this obvious dead heat. If you're a toe and finger tapper, loosen up before this track - it's gonna be like aerobics.
The pace may mellow a bit, but the groove is still constant on "HERE COMES MY BABY". This one finds REV and CSAB'S feelin' a bit funky - and that's a good thing. With redundancy at risk, once again, everyone's on their mark with REV'S vocals and guitar licks leading the way.
"BENNY'S BOUNCE". With a name like this, and being written by the harp player - BENNY RICKUN, need I say more? Of course not - you already know this one is three minutes of all out, no holds barred, wailing, harp playing - at it's best.
Other tracks on "BIG BEE", which equally wonderful things can be said about are: "BIG BEE", "ONCE THE WOMEN START TALKIN", "I DON'T WANT TO KNOW", "DON'T GET ON THE WRONG SIDE OF MY BABY", "BAD LITTLE GIRLS", "I WANNA LOVE YOU" and "SHE'S MOVIN ON".
Concerto Magazine- Dietmar Hoscher
Translated from German to English: From the South Side of Chicago originating, is a guitarist, singer and songwriter Reverend Raven has been in the business for some time. Since 1971, more precisely when he first saw Freddie King Live. After 15 years in the Navy moved the Reverend after Milwaukee and did with the long-harmonica player Jimmy Rogers', Madison Slim together. Meanwhile, the Americans to a Fixgröße the scene, with numerous awards to the book ended Wisconsin Music Industry. Reverend Raven moves in the tradition of earthy, electric blues, with a smoky voice and extensive guitar solos. A particularly happy hands, he also always in the selection of his harmonica player, this time with the young Benny Rickun on the Mississippi saxophone. Stylistically, the band somewhat reminiscent of Little Charlie & The Night Cats, extensive harmonica solos included. The Reverend Raven on solid experience, inter alia, on the Maxwell Street, with each track is audible. It becomes clear that he is among the best guitarists of the genre is one that we hear about the nonchalance of his guitar work on "Once The Women Start Talking". But Benny Rickun must be the absolute, promising Könnern his instrument counted, dirty, down home and yet virtuosity. Like him about the sounds on "You Is not No Friend Of Mine" moves, leaves no stone unturned. Muddy Waters and Little Walter can greet! - DiHo
'Live at Blues On Grand' Reviews
Rootstime Belgium- Freddy Celis
With his excellent band The Chain Smokin 'Altar Boys brings Reverend Raven from Milwaukee, Wisconsin traditional blues, mainly consisting of covers. On this live recording, recorded in the famous "Blues On Grand" club in Des Moines, he had the help of harmonica-ace Madison Slim, including a member of Sam Lay's Blues Band, Legendary Bluesband and Jimmy Rodgers' Band. This here is the focus on his game sharp blue and The Reverend calls it Madison's CD, but of course to his West Side Chicago guitar style strongly present. Andre Maritato played bass that night in March 2002 and was the drummer Kid Panosh. Madison Slim brings plenty of homage to the masters of the harmonica are examples Slim Harpo and Rice Miller aka Sonny Boy Williamson. Five and half hours drive by a heavy snow storm leaves the gentlemen do not prevent a beauty of a set down to, and with Bernard Allison and the Lamont Cranston Band, they sell that night the Blues on Grand on stilts. They are a pure bluesband and what you can expect is that and nothing else. "We do not play Mustang Sally" says the Reverend. No, what they bring is the blues with a mix of Texas and Chicago blues that makes us think of Little Charlie & The Night Cats, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Paul Butterfield and especially Big Walter Horton, through Madison. Reverend Raven is an impressive man, his stature and voice "is" on a stage, and immediately trekk attention. His voice seems made for the blues. Songs including Freddy King, Magic Sam and Albert Collins brings with it an incredible convenience and flexibility. That he gets the help of Madison Slim is the live CD only impressive, because it occasionally takes the microphone and provides for a "double treat". His live performance where he during his harmonica solos double plooit and all curves lie to the full power behind his harp place is pure "blues body language" so to speak. If you set multiple Slim Harpo and Howlin Wolf covers heard you can not admit more than that, despite the snow storm to toeging very hot there in Des Moines. The blues and nothin 'but the blues, 100%. If the Reverend Raven preaches the blues' s always a high!
Wisconsin Blues Society - Ken Stone - The Blues Detective
The blues resource-rich Alligator belt that extends between Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis is alive with working blues units that are keeping the flame stoked. Perhaps foremost is the blues shouter, Reverend Raven. His latest release features harp legend Madison Slim and a tight band of roadhouse veterans.
From the opening bouncer 'I'm Your Honeyboy', a loping shuffle and Raven original that propels the listener into this collection of blues gems, the interplay between the Rev and Slim is nothing short of breathtaking. With a stash of a thousand stage hours to draw from, the band creates a synergy of dynamics and outstanding ensemble playing that are the hallmarks of all great blues bands.
Reverend Raven has completed the transition from sideman to commanding bandleader by being a student of the art form. His prodigious guitar vocabulary quotes the greats while retaining the excitement of spontaneous combustion. Clean tone dripping with reverb inside impeccable phrasing, combined with the fruits of years as a sideman - tasty rhythm comps and fills - give the Rev a perfect foil for Madison Slim's muscular tone and soulful licks.
Madison Slim is the treasured connection to the Chicago blues masters having literally slept on the couches of Jimmy Rogers, Lowell Fulson and Carrie and Lurrie Bell. He was often the only white face in the south-side blues clubs during the 60's and the 70's. Slim's ability to step on the gas pedal is a testament to years on the road with the best blues performers in the world.
Of course, it's all about the groove. With sparkplug Spencer Panosh driving and swinging the shuffles and Westside beats with a clock-like precision, tunes like 'Bye Bye Baby' and 'In the Open' really jump.
Whether breathing life into Howlin' Wolfs 'Who's Been Talkin' or playing greasy harp on Slim Harpo's 'Got Love if You Want It', Madison Slim is in top form. For a true reading of the original electrified delta-style guitar, listen to Raven's take on Muddy Water's 'Sweet Man' in which Slim's blues whistle calls the hellhounds in for supper. Well-placed and tasteful vibrato guitar fill 'The Backscratcher' and the Westside vibe of the Rev's 'Bee Hive Baby' are as authentic as any white boys can get. The live CD is musically seamless and showcases the essence of why the blues is still alive.
With clarity of mission and a deep emotion born of a great respect for the form, the Reverend Raven's sermon should bring new converts to the church we call Chicago Blues and, the circle shall be unbroken. Amen.
Suncoast Blues Society - John Mazello
Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin¹ Altar Boys captured a smoking club set of uptempo blues numbers and put it on his own label. Most are well executed covers by names associated with the heyday of Chicago blues...Muddy Waters, Slim Harpo, Willie Dixon and other names from a little farther south, Howlin¹ Wolf and Frank Frost. The CD begins with a pair of Reverend Raven originals, I¹m your Honeyboy and Loving You. For the discriminating listener most of the covers are B sides and not the usual roadhouse fodder. Like the Raven says, ³we don¹t play Mustang Sally.² There¹s also another Reverend original, a fine tribute to Slim Harpo called Bee Hive Baby The Reverend handles guitar and vocals and Spencer Panosh and Andre Maritato, well traveled musicians themselves, are on drums and bass. The harmonica chores and a few vocals are taken by Madison Slim, a well known player with plenty of frequent flyer miles himself. They play like they¹ve spent plenty of time honing their craft in smoky dens of iniquity and next time you see them on their way to a local den you should check them out.
Blues On Stage- Bill Halaszynski
Two things drew me to this CD. I always dug the Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys handle, catholic grade school refugee that I am, and, I liked the work Madison Slim did back in the day with the Legendary Blues Band. To me, this screamed short cover, big buckets o' beer Blues night at the local bar and, that's a good thing. The music may be elemental and raw, but it's in no way perfunctory played, there's passion and wit to spare and therein lies its charm. The right Rev. unleashes rippin' and a ringin' guitar licks right out of the gate and keeps the energy level high throughout. This set called to mind the passion and fire of The Red Devils' King King with a tad bit more polish as well as hard earned experience thrown in. This music requires commitment, it has to be played full out to work and these guys are more than up to the task. Good live Blues brings a smile to my lips when I'm there and this certainly does that, which is saying something hearing it on CD so far removed from the performance.
Reverend Raven is Chicago born and has that Windy City feel embedded in his DNA, Madison Slim sounds as though he couldn't play a false note with a cocked pistol at his head and the rhythm section of bassist Andre Maritato and skin pounder Kid Panosh shake the foundation, rattle the rafters and roll it easy when called for. These four pieces make a heckuva racket and it's a divine madness that they deliver. The song selection is fine and features solid Raven originals going toe to toe with covers of some of the best that the Electric Blues' heyday had to offer from Muddy to the Wolf with some Freddie King and Slim Harpo thrown in for good measure. Things get started with the original "I'm Your Honeyboy," sung by composer Raven with swagger and conviction. The opener sets a swinging pace before the band settles into a more traditional sounding Chi-Town groove that carries the proceedings from there on out.
Madison Slim joins the fray with Harpo's "Got Love If You Want It". His husky voice and overblown harp give the proceedings a feeling of authenticity, the inescapable knowledge that this is someone who's been there and done that. The interplay between Raven's guitar and Slim's harp is what makes this CD work. Freddie King's "In The Open," comes about half way through the set and the duo wails full out making a joyous noise and claiming this night all their own. Wolf's "Louise," is next with a mesmerizing rhythm that sucks the listener in for good. Everything that follows is gravy and worth the time to track down and make your own. Great stuff if you're a fan of no holds barred barroom blues and, a good place to start if you wanna try some on for size.
La Hora del Blues/Argentina- Vincente Zumel
A superb album of real Chicago blues style done by two of the best white performers of this kind of blues. We have The Reverend on vocals and guitar playing and Madison Slim blowing harp. Both sound really bright and give a faultless performing, perfectly backed by powerful drummer Spencer Panosh who has a hard convincing straight beat and Andre Maritato on bass who provides the rest of the band soundness and enough confidence, which gives as a result a highly recommended record. If you like and enjoy listenning to traditional fifties Chicago blues, do not hesitate and get a copy of this amazing 'Live at Blues on Grand'. GREAT.
Bluzharp Magazine- Steve Harvell
"This cd is by far the best one that I have listened to so far this year.
I give this cd , Reverend Raven Featuring Madison Slim "Live At The Blues On Grand" Reverend Raven Website,my highest rating of (7) harps and is my favorite cd so far this year.I give The Reverend Raven my "Muddy Waters Torch Carrier Award" and to Madison Slim my coveted "Nasty harp Award " for being so NASTY SOUNDING,oh yeah!!"
'Slow Burn' Reviews
"This is mighty fine blues with that feel-so-good Slow Burn, just as the title says. Highly recommended" - Tom Hyslop, Blues Revue
"The interplay between Raven's fiery guitar and Cadillac Pete's luminescent harp playing can be breathtaking." Something else to remember Milwaukee by besides, beer, brats and bad baseball teams." - Blues Access Magazine
"This is one of the most seasoned bands that I have had the pleasure to hear in a damn long time. This CD "Slow Burn" is a must have, a 6 1/2 harp salute." - Steve Harvell, Bluzharp Magazine (Jan 21, 2005)
"Put it on my stereo and thought this has to be a live performance. I've never heard a studio CD capture the magic of a hot live performance like this" - Larry Eisenberg - S.P.A.H
"Slow Burn is a killer song" - KUMD Blues Radio, Superior, Wl
"Klasse" - Blues News Germany
"Slow Burn is my Harp CD of the Year 2OOO" - Steve Harvell, Bluzharp Magazine (Jan 21, 2005)
"Thank you very much for that outstanding CD! Great music on it - a mind-blowing harp and a drivin' rhythm. I'm sure, my listeners will like that music. As usuall, I'll send a playlist any time, I use the CD." Thanks again and take care, Erhard Albrecht, Blues Power Radio-Germany
Jiggle My Junk 5:15