"Rousing, hyper, and authentic brand of blues that sounds like what might come out of that secret meth lab nestled deep in the backwaters of the Mississippi Delta." - Cincinnati City Beat Recorded entirely live to tape ... more »with no overdubs, the Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band relentlessly beats their music onto analog tape under the supervision of producer and engineering genius Paul Mahern (Zero Boys, John Mellencamp). The album features bonus material recorded in Clarksdale, MS in the heart of the Mississippi Delta at the James "Jimbo" Mathus Delta Recording Studio (Squirrel Nut Zippers, Elvis Costello, Buddy Guy).« less
"Rousing, hyper, and authentic brand of blues that sounds like what might come out of that secret meth lab nestled deep in the backwaters of the Mississippi Delta." - Cincinnati City Beat Recorded entirely live to tape with no overdubs, the Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band relentlessly beats their music onto analog tape under the supervision of producer and engineering genius Paul Mahern (Zero Boys, John Mellencamp). The album features bonus material recorded in Clarksdale, MS in the heart of the Mississippi Delta at the James "Jimbo" Mathus Delta Recording Studio (Squirrel Nut Zippers, Elvis Costello, Buddy Guy).
Steven J. Hoffman | Takoma Park, MD USA | 12/31/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"No, these guys (actually two male, one female) are not gonna win awards for instrumental virtuosity or musical creativity. They have a couple of basic grooves and they pound 'em 'til they can't pound no more.
But every now and then, bands who play a basic, primitive musical style do it so well that you're glad they stick to what they do. Rev. Payton and his Damn Big Band is one of those. There is a level of joy in this album that is hard to define - maybe it's just the joy it engenders in the listener (at least this listener!) ... it's like I put on this CD and some "joy" switch in my right-brain just clicks on.
The style of music they play owes a lot to the droning North Mississippi Hills style of blues (a la Bukka White, Fred McDowell, R.L. Burnside), more than Delta blues. Some of their songs feature Piedmont blues style fingerpicking (but backed by ferocious drums, in the Mississippi style).
Perhaps the standout cut is the last cut, which is the only solo track on the album. The Reverend's vocals on "Sugar Man" will boil your spinal fluids. That is one serious track.
Did I mention that I love this band?"
RIYL :T-model Ford, RL Burnside, Charley Patton
Wayne Bertsch | indianapolis | 08/28/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Not your daddy's Blues. This is the stuff you only heard from the deep south in the twenties and thirties. Some call it country blues, some call it pre-war blues, some call it delta blues, but I call it a damn good time. Highly recommended!"
Big Damn Sound
Gary Dreslinski | St. Petersburg, Fl USA | 10/20/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The friend who introduced me to them absolutely nailed it - "This is what it would sound like if the Minutemen made a blues album".
I understand the roots of blues talk that I've seen connected to the band, but what can't be said enough is that this record is going to kick your butt and steal your lunch money.
"
Great Original Slide Blues With Old Time Delta Feel.
Dog man | Dekalb, Ill | 07/04/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Just heard this @ an outdoor bar @ Indiana Beach cranked up. Had to ask the bartender who these guys were? Noticed people around me were also digging it. This CD is a must for anyone who loves old time deep(Wash Board, Dobro Guitar & Singing) Delta Blues with great groove & feel. Just ordered this & looking forward to recieving my cd."
Refreshing
wshoov | Richmond, kentucky United States | 09/13/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I first learned of this band at a local show and found their style to be refreshing. They have great energy. Their songs do however seem to blend together but I think that the range of their sound will expand with time. Worth investing."