Reverend Raven: Press

I just sat in with these guys in Columbus at The Thirsty Ear on Thursday night - big fun! The Reverend has really got it going on."

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! (RON) www.rootstime.be

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".

Check out:
REVEREND RAVEN AND HIS CHAIN SMOKING ALTER BOYS @
www.reverendraven.com and tell them Blewzzman's sending them some new parishioners. While your there, drop some money in the collection box and get yourself a copy of "BIG BEE".

----- Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro

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

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.
Ken Stone - The Blues Detective Wisconsin Blues Society

" The Reverend’s ability to keep a crowd going all night long is a matter of haunted local legend."

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.

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.

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.

"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!!"

"This is mighty fine blues with that feel-so-good Slow Burn, just as the title says. Highly recommended"

"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."

"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."

"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"

"Slow Burn is a killer song"

"Klasse"

"Thanks for sending the disc. I played the opening track, "I'm Your Honeyboy" during last Sundays show. It's a great CD that you should be very proud of & one that will get a lot of future airplay. Thanks again for the copy & keep in touch. Let me know if you ever head our way & I'll give it my best promotional effort" Love, peace & chicken grease The Blues Hound 90.1 FM KPFT Houston

""Slow Burn is my Harp CD of the Year 2OOO"

"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

"Thank you very much for sending me your new CD for radio airplay. It came just in time to be considered in my tonight's radio show. Let me compliment you and the band for this very great record, I've played it several times and I love it. Now I think you'd like to know that I've played a couple of songs in my "Bluestime" radio show tonight. Hope the listeners like it as well as I do. Of course, I've mentioned your website and also the possibility to buy it directly from CDBaby." Many greetings from Germany. Manfred (Bluestime/E-VW radio in Germany)