 Reverend
Raven - LIVE AT BLUES ON GRAND Featuring Madison Slim
{2002
| Nevermore Records}
-- by UJ Miller
--
This band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin has been slugging
it out for years on the road playing their brand of
Chicago style blues. Combine Reverend Raven’s
West Side Chicago-style guitar with the South Side
Blues harp of Madison Slim and you have a double threat
that is tough to beat. Born and raised on south side
of Chicago, the Reverend has been playing the blues
since 1971 when he first saw Freddy King play at the
Kinetic Theatre in Chicago. After 15 year hitch in
the Navy he moved to Milwaukee where he began a long
friendship and collaboration with Madison Slim, long
time harmonica player for Jimmy Rogers. Since 1990
he has opened for Gatemouth Brown, Pinetop Perkins,
Koko Taylor Band, Junior Wells, Billy Branch, Magic
Slim, Elvin Bishop, Sugar Blue, Lonnie Brooks, William
Clarke, Lefty Dizz and numerous others at festivals
and at Buddy Guy's Legends. The
band is:
Rev Raven – guitar and vocals
Madison Slim – harmonica and vocals
The Chain Smoking Alter Boys are:
Spencer Panosh – drums
P.T. Pedersen – bass
Benny Rickun – harmonica/bass/guitar
TRACKS:
1.
I’m YOUR HONEYBOY –Chicago style guitar
and harmonica stood out from the start
2. LOVING YOU- The Reverend gets it rocking
3. GET LOVE IF YOU WANT IT- reminded me of Hudson
and the Hoodoo Cats
4. I”VE GOT TO BE WITH YOU TONIGHT–
slow pillow talking groove
5. BEE HIVE BABY- harmonica shined
6. BYE BYE BABY- upbeat swinging jam
7. IN THE OPEN- foot stomping instrumental
8. LOUISE- Madison Slim made that harp moan and
groan
9. WHO”S BEEN TALKIN- nice mix of smooth vocals,
pleasing guitar and howling harp
10. SWEET MAN- stripped down sound
11. PLEASE LET ME EXPLAIN- least favorite
12. THE BACK SCRATCHER– got me “itching”
for more
13. I CAN’T GET YOU OFF MY MIND- hard driving
jam
The
hot harmonica of Madison Slim kept my interest throughout
this disc. I give this disc 3.5 out of 5.0 on my
STLBluesometer rating. Go check them out yourself
live or on the web at www.reverendraven.com
UJ
Miller
|
