A Bluesman of Sorts
Is the Rev really dead? Well, in any case the latest double album of 19 songs is presented as a posthumous retrospective collection. Including never heard before tracks, alternative takes, remixes, hidden gems and some amazing blues masterpieces done in the Rev’s distinct style - A Bluesman of Sorts indeed!
It seems by all accounts the Rev is alive and well on this latest release. This ruse of death blues, beckoned by an ode to BB King’s Completely Well album cover, has the Rev humbly declaring himself, “A Bluesman of Sorts.” A many armed mandala of him hovers at the center of a horizon with conquering cartoon rays of the sun ending in a split image of his portrait. A little worse for the ware but cool as can be with his Ray Ban shades and a Fleetwood brim.
The continuing mythology of the artist formerly known as Reverend Freakchild is at times a little complex, but for those in the know that are hip to the humor this latest release is an exercise in contemplating one’s own death. In the Rev’s own words when asked about this album and the rumors of his death, that have been greatly exaggerated, he confessed, “I’ve been studying some heavy Tibetan Buddhist teachings with this dude Dr. Thurman {father of the movie star Uma Thurman, Indian philosophies professor and friend of the Dalai Lama.} He’s been leading us in these vajrayoga meditations of contemplating death. First, that it is certain that we will all someday die. Second, that it is uncertain when this death will happen. And third, therefore meditation on these first two realistic realities in a positive way can cause one to rejoice in the present moment truly aware of this precious human birth.”
As Pinetop Perkins (Muddy Waters’ piano player for many years) said, “Death, that’s a debt we all gotta pay.” So let’s be thankful for a little life before we pass and enjoy listeing to this latest offering from the Rev. while we can here on planet Earth.
A Bluesman of Sorts
CD 1
1 - Green and Brown Blues (2:49)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals, Guitar and Harmonica / John ‘Bones Ritchie’ Robinson - Bass / Patrick Carmichael - Drums / Recorded at M&I Studios, NYC, circa 2001 (Written by Reverend Freakchild © Citizen of the Universe Music) Previously Unreleased Track from the Lucky Devils Sessions
2 - Chevrolet (4:57)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals and Guitar / Matt Rae - Lead Guitar / Other Personnel Unknown / Arrangement by Matt Rae / Recorded at Next Door Studios, CT, circa 1998 (Written by Lonnie and Ed Young) Previously Unreleased Track from the Soul Miners Sessions
3 - Come On In My Kitchen (3:20)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals and Guitar / Recorded at Uptown Studios, NYC, circa 2002 (Written by Robert Johnson) Previously Released Track from the Album Chaos & Country Blues
4 - I Can’t Be Satisfied (4:41)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals and National Steel Guitar / Chris Parker - Drums / Recorded at Excello Studios, Brooklyn, NY, circa 2019 / additional overdubs by Aki Kumar - Harmonica / Nick Amodeo - Bass / Steve Sirockin - Organ / Recorded and Mixed at Altitude Recording, Boulder, CO 2024/25 (Written by McKinley Morganfield) Previously Released Track from the Album Bodhisattva Blues, Now with New Overdubs and Remixed
5 - Roll and Tumble Blues (2:34)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals and Guitar / Recorded at Uptown Studios, NYC, circa 2003 / with additional overdubs by Hugh Pool - Harmonica / Recorded at Excello Studios, Brooklyn, NY, circa 2008 / Jason Hann - percussion / Mixed at Altitude Recording, Boulder, CO circa 2024 (Written by Hambone Willie Newbern) Previously Released Track as Rollin’ and Tumblin’ from the Album Chaos & Country Blues, Now with New Overdubs and Remixed
6 - Jesus Just Left Chicago (3:26)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals and National Steel Guitar / Recorded live On Air at WWOZ studios, New Orleans, LA circa 2019 / additional overdubs by Nick Amodeo - Bass / Chris Parker - Drums / Jason Hann - percussion / Recorded and Mixed at Altitude Recording, Boulder, CO 2024 (Written by Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard) Previously Released Track from the Album Road Dog Dharma, Now with New Overdubs and Remixed
7 - Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven (2:49)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals and Guitar / Recorded at Peloton Studios, circa 2020 / additional overdubs by Malcolm the Minister of Bass / Jason Hann - percussion / Mark Karan- 12 String lead Guitar / Mixed at Altitude Recording, Boulder, CO circa 2022 (Written by Don Nix) Previously Released Track from the Album Supramundane Blues, Now Remixed
8 - A Day Late and A Dollar Short (3:09)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals and Guitar / John ‘Bones Ritchie’ Robinson - Bass / Patrick Carmichael - Drums / Organ - Unknown / CC - Additional Vocals / Recorded at Uptown Studios, NYC, circa 2003 (Written by Reverend Freakchild © Citizen of the Universe Music) Previously Released Track from the Album God Shaped Hole, Now Remixed
9 - Rattling Cages (8:11)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals, Guitar and Harmonica / Recorded at Uptown Studios, NYC, circa 2004 / additional overdubs by Chris Parker - Drums / Jason Hann - percussion / Recorded and Mixed at Altitude Recording, Boulder, CO circa 2024 (Written by Reverend Freakchild © Citizen of the Universe Music) Previously Unreleased Track
10 - Dust Radio (4:03)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals and National Steel Guitar / Recorded at Peloton Studios, circa 2020 / additional over dubs by Nick Amodeo - Bass / Steve Sirockin - Drums / Recorded and Mixed at Altitude Recording, Boulder, CO, 2024 (Written by Chris Whitley) Previously Unreleased Track
CD2
1 - Big Boss Man (4:12)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals and National Steel Guitar / Hugh Pool - Harmonica / Mark Karan - Lead Guitar / Melvin Seals - Organ / Chris Parker - Drums / Recorded at Excello Studios, Brooklyn, NY, circa 2019 / additional overdubs by Jason Hann - percussion / Remixed at Altitude Recording, Boulder, CO 2024 (Written By Jimmy Reed) Previously Released Track from the Album Bodhisattva Blues, Now with New Overdubs and Remixed
2 - Ode to Billie Joe (6:53)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals and Guitar / Matt Rae - Lead Guitar / Other Personnel Unknown / Arrangement by Matt Rae / Recorded at Next Door Studios, CT, circa 1998 (Written by Bobbie Gentry) Previously Unreleased Track from the Soul Miners Sessions
3 - Hellhound On My Trail (5:42)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals and National Steel Guitar / Chris Parker - Drums / Recorded at Excello Studios, Brooklyn, NY, circa 2016 / additional overdubs by Jason Hann - percussion / Mixed at Altitude Recording, Boulder, CO 2024 (Written by Robert Johnson) Previously Released Track from the Album Illogical Optimism, Now with New Overdubs and Remixed
4 - I Know You Rider (3:11)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals and Guitar / Malcolm the Minister of Bass / Jason Hann - percussion / AJ Fullerton - lead Guitar / Recorded and Mixed at Altitude Recording, Boulder, CO circa 2019 / Remixed 2024 (Traditional) Previously Released Track from the Album Bodhisattva Blues, Now Remixed
5 - Yer Blues (5:41)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals and National Steel Guitar / Hugh Pool - Harmonica / Mark Karan - Lead Guitar / Melvin Seals - Organ / Chris Parker - Drums / Recorded at Excello Studios, Brooklyn, NY, circa 2019 / additional overdubs by Nick Amodeo - Mandolin / Remixed at Altitude Recording, Boulder, CO 2024 (Written by Lennon/ McCartney) Previously Released Track from the Album Bodhisattva Blues, Now with New Overdubs and Remixed
6 - Wish I Was In Heaven (3:36)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals and National Steel Guitar / Chris Parker - Drums / Recorded at Excello Studios, Brooklyn, NY, circa 2014 / Remixed at Altitude Recording, Boulder, CO 2024 (Written by R. L. Burnside) Previously Released Track from the Album Hillbilly Zen-Punk Blues, Original Session without Overdubs
7 - Death Bells (3:14)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals and Guitar / Recorded at Uptown Studios, NYC, circa 2005 (Written by Sam ‘Lightnin’ Hopkins) Previously Released Track from the Album Chaos & Country Blues
Bonus Live Tracks -
8 - Grinnin’ In Your Face (2:43)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals / Recorded Llive at Yorckschlosschen Jazz Cub - Berlin, Germany 2015 (Written by Eddie ‘Son’ House) Previously Released Track from the Album Preachin’ Blues
9 - As the Years Go Passing By (5:30)
Reverend Freakchild - Vocals, Lead and Rhythm Guitar / Hugh Pool - Rhythm and Lead Guitar / Malcolm the Minister of Bass / Chris Parker - Drums / Recorded Live at The Cutting Room - NYC 2023 (Written by Peppermint Harris) Previously Unreleased Track
All Tracks Mastered at Airshow by David Glasser / Produced by Sal Paradise