Absolutely LOVE this CD.  Must see them if they are in your area.
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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".
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I first heard Reverend Raven at the Big Bull Falls Blues Festival two years ago. Of course I was intrigued just by the name since my name is also Raven. After listening to the group I went backstage and introduced myself. We determined that we must be cousins even if we had to go back a thousand years. We have more in common than just our last names, as we both love music, especially the blues.
Given this connection, I jumped at the chance to review the Reverend's latest re­lease Big Bee. Reverend Raven, along with RT. Pederson on bass, Spencer Podash on drums, and Benny Rickun (harmonica), do right by the listener. It is obvious to this lis­tener that these musicians are the real deal.
Big Bee is a straight-up blues CD that invokes the likes of Buddy Guy or Omar and the Howlers. The first cut, "My Life," is a guitar and harmonica extravaganza that is guaranteed to get the juices flowing. The title track "Big Bee" follows with a mellow, but deep, bass-line groove sure to get the feet dancing and the head bobbing. "Once The Ladies Start Talking" has a New Orleans flair with a magical harmonica that is sure to move you to the dance floor. "You Ain't No Friend of Mine" slows things down in a tra­ditional blues way. The Reverend's deep voice tells that old, sad story of love gone bad that convinces you that he is singing about you. "Benny's Bounce" is an ode to all great bass players. This tune is nothing but a groovy foot-stomping bass line highlighted by some mean harmonica. No vocal clutter here!
There is no preferential treatment here even though we do share a name. I like my blues straight up and good to go. Big Bee does not disappoint. From beginning to end, the blues are very well represented and I would recommend Reverend Raven to anyone. Also, having heard them live, I suggest you do the same if an opportunity presents itself.
—Ned Raven
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