2018 – Treated and
Released Records
By Phillip Smith;
April 7, 2018
Dial
It In, the third album from the good Reverend
Freakchild is absolutely fabulous. Most
often with a National steel guitar in hand, his brand of blues and blues-rock
is incredibly unique, outstanding, and at times a bit psychedelic. For this album, Freakchild enlists drummer
Chris Parker (Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker, Paul Butterfield)
and guitarist Hugh Pool who also recorded and mixed the album.
The record softly cracks open with a mostly
instrumental, backwoods, swampy blues track “Opus Earth”. Accented with backwards guitar, a hypnotic
beat, and spiritual chants, this amazing track lets the listener know they are
in for a unique listening experience. Freakchild
delectably covers Depeche Mode with a nice and greasy blues-soaked
arrangement of “Personal Jesus (on the Mainline)”. With Pool blowing
harp, and Freakchild providing the suave velvety vocals and twang,
this version totally demolishes the original.
Guitarist Mark Karan and bassist Robin Sylvester, both
from Ratdog guest on “Hippie Bluesman Blues”. They instill a delightful deadhead
vibe into this country-blues original.
The soulful rhythm in “Dial It In” coupled with Freakchild’s
fast-paced prose draws me in with a firm grasp. Spirited backing vocals from the lovely Hazel
Miller join with Garrett Dutton’s (G Love and Special Sauce)
for a rejoicing funky good time. With Jay
Collins boldly belting it out on saxophone, Freakchild fearlessly takes
on Dylan’s “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)” in a marvelous no-holds
barred performance. A wonderful tribute to Blind Willie Johnson is
exhibited in a “Soul of Man”, before the good Rev takes us home with the cosmic
closer “Opus Space” for a grand finale. And to this, I say “Amen Brother, Amen!”.
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Click below to read the PhillyCheeze review of : Reverend Freakchild - Illogical Optimism
