Tor Krautter - In Search Of Ecstasy
© Copyright-Tor Krautter
(634479049804)
Record Label: Smelly Dog Productions
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The Reverend Tor Band was formed in western Massachusetts by front man Tor Krautter in 1996. Since it's conception, the band has evolved into a power house on the east coast club and festival circuit, performing in venues from Maine to Key West Florida. In their native New England, the band keeps a heavy touring schedule enthusiastically supported by a large following of dedicated fans who affectionately call themselves Disciples.
The groups members are an eclectic crew of experienced professionals. Members of RTB have worked with the likes of The Band, Little Feat, Bill Monrow, Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie. Together they have shared the stage with members of The Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers, and New Riders Of The Purple Sage. They have performed at festivals and concerts with The Jerry Garcia Band, Los Lobos, The Funky Meters, Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident, Max Creek and The Derrick Trucks Band. They where even asked to back up legendary blues man and Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductee, Johnny Johnson for a few shows on his 1999 tour.
RTB's large original repertoire feature funky, bass oriented rhythms and foot stomping percussion. Bouncy guitar lines pull the whole groove together and creates an entrancing state that makes ones body want to move. Soulful melodies are immediately memorable. Even the bands cover tunes have a distinctly "Torricized" feel and include B-side tunes from The Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers and others.
The Band has three CD's out on Smelly Dog Records, "In Search Of Ecstasy", "Whatever It Takes", and "2000 Lives". All are excellent examples of their dedication and meticulous approach to the quality of their music. On stage the band's energy is intense. These boys are not afraid to break a sweat and rarely have a problem getting the crowd on their feet. One club owner called them the hardest working band he'd ever met.
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A Tasty Blues Barbecue
author: Seth Rogovoy
The Berkshire Eagle
Pittsfield, MA Friday February 16 1996
A Tasty Blues Barbecue
by Seth Rogovoy -
WILLIAMSTOWN This Sunday night at 9, the Reverend Tor Band - comprised of members of the East Creek Band and Xavier - will celebrate the release of ``In Search of Ecstasy'' (Smelly Dog), a new recording of 11 original compositions by Tor Krautter, at La Cocina in Pittsfield.
Best known in this area as a member of East Creek, Krautter showcases his own tunes and vocals on the new album, which was recorded at Derek Studios in Dalton.
Besides vocalist/guitarist Krautter, the core band on the album features Xavier's Jason Webster on guitar and keyboards, East Creek's Dan Broad on bass, and Dooley Austin's Rick Leab on drums. The cast of supporting musicians includes Dawn Fulvi, Rick Tiven, Paul Kleinwald, Abe Guthrie, Steve Ide, Jeff Stevens and Charlie Tokarz - a veritable who's who of the Berkshire music scene.
The well-paced album sets down in various styles and tempos, but overall the feel is akin to the sort of funky, rootsy, harmony-laden, grab-bag approach of such '70s stalwarts as Little Feat, Traffic and Crosby, Stills and Nash.
Krautter's evocative vocals are put to the test on the Robert Cray-like kickoff, ``Never Cry When the Wolf Comes'', a loping, contemporary blues-funk number, and the achingly soulful ballad ``Stumble,'' on which Krautter's snakelike guitar coils around his Otis Redding-influenced vocals while Jason Webster's Booker T. Jones-patented organ slithers underneath.
``Foot In My Face Blues'' goes for broke, featuring a big-band R&B arrangement, including horns and a genre-bending bluegrass break showcasing Rick Tiven's mandolin and Paul Kleinwald's banjo.
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From Veteran audio engineer, Gary Kiffel. CBS-TV, New York 1996
author: Gary Kiffel
"Tor Krautter is a singer and musician who knows where he's been, as well as where he's going. On In Search of Ecstasy, he travels to a place where the listener learns what churns within the musician's soul. Inclusions like Never Cry When the Wolf Comes and Stumble are powerful and haunting glimpses into the eye of the artist. Hear this new voice."
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To New To Be Known
author: Mick Skidmore, Relix Magazine
Relix Magazine
Vol 25 No.2
To New To Be Known
By Mick Skidmore -
The Reverend Tor Band is a western Massachusetts based outfit that is the brainchild of Tor Krautter. In fact, it's only release to date [as of April '98], In Search of Ecstasy (Smelly Dog) was put out under Krautter's name a couple of years ago. The album is a real gem that jumps across musical boundaries with ease and imagination. The songs draw on a variety of influences such asm funky, Little Feat-like rock with more elaborate harmonies, blues and even a little reggae. On the bluesy soul of "Stumble," Krautter comes over like a cross between Steve Winwood and Robert Cray. Other high points are the jaunty reggae-ish "She Knew My Name" and the bluesy funk of "Get Your Own Road," which encourages one to think independently.
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