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songwriter Kelly Zirbes, lends her accomplished lead vocal talents to the proceedings on two
numbers, ‘Shoestring Blues', which is a serious good-time rolling blues, delivering splendidly joyous
piano and slide and ‘Seeds In The Bag', which is an appealing duet with Tomislav, sung over a
pleasantly lazy Louisiana rumba with an enticing piano, reminiscent of Professor Longhair.

Of the 10 numbers here, nine are original compositions including 3 instrumentals, the first being;

‘Express Connection', and as the title suggests Tomislav’s enticing raw, raucously driven
harmonica splendidly leads at a rattling pace and the band are with him all the way. ‘Pale Blue
Eyes', is A Lou Reed composition from his time with The Velvet Underground, this eight minute
melancholic piece is re-worked as a country blues ballad, the slow, stinging slide guitar is in
complete harmony with Tomislav’s dispirited vocals and harmonica while, Kelly Zirbes backing
vocal only adds to the emotion. The grooving, hip swaying instrumental ‘Extra Boom', is a rather
fine tribute to the Chess label’s harmonica legend Little Walter. ‘Beast Walk', is a gently shuffling

instrumental that fully captures the atmosphere of ‘The Big Easy', a laid-back rolling train
harmonica leads a gentle fat swinging horn section while, the superbly understated guitar and
smokin’ B3 comfortably burn away.

Greatly endorsed!

Brian Harman

Reverend Freakchild—Supramundane Blues—Treated And
Released Records TNR-013

The Reverend grew up in Hawaii and later gained a degree in
philosophy and religion from the Northeastern University in

Boston. He now resides in Colorado and is currently pursuing a
Master of Divinity Degree at the Naropa University. This is the
Reverend’s 13th album release which also includes a 5 track EP
entitled ‘Psychedelic Trip Hop Mass.’ The 13 numbers here are a
mixture of Gospel and faith based songs. To record these
numbers the Reverend takes lead vocals, guitars and harmonica,
he has also collaborated with a range of artists, including on

guitars; Kevin Griffin (The Rev’s meditation teacher) and Mark Karan (Rat dog), Steve Sirockin;
keyboards, on bass is Malcolm “The Minister of Bass” Oliver and Jon ‘Bones’ Ritchie Robinson, while
Chris Parker and Patrick Carmichael provide drums with Jason Hann on percussion. Hugh Pool
provides harmonica, lap steel and Theremin.

The album opens with the very atmospheric and attractive, slide driven acoustic piece ‘Preaching
The Blues', while Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys Bluegrass classic ‘Crying Holy', is given a
splendidly enticing electric guitar re-vamp. Blind Lemon Jefferson’s 1928 Texas Blues classic, ‘See
That My Grave Is Kept Clean', is presented as a jaunty, stomper that is encased in a sinisterly

haunting and grinding lap steel from the late Drew Glackin. Blind Willie Johnson originally
delivered his ‘[What is the] Soul Of A Man?’ with a questioning reverence but, here The Reverend
presents us with a refreshing swinging, guitar and harmonica led sing-along version that any
congregation would (probably) be happy to join in with. Billy Gibbons ‘Jesus Just Left Chicago!’ has
been pleasantly reworked as a delightful, floating acoustic declaration of faith (to be played when
the collection plate is passed around no doubt!) The Southern gospel standard ‘Working On A
Building', has been imbued with a rolling funk filled piano and organ that certainly sets the
shoulders and feet groovingly shuffling along. The Rock/Soul ‘Keep On Praying', sees The Reverend