CD Reviews

"Peyton On Patton"

The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band

Side One Dummy Records

Although this album is credited as Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, it is as much a solo offering from Peyton as you’re likely to find. Sure his wife, Washboard Breezy Peyton and percussionist Aaron “Cuz” Persinger are present on some tracks, but for the most part this is The Reverend Peyton alone with his guitar and banjo recreating one of the Delta’s foremost originators. In a year focused on celebrating the music of Robert Johnson, recognizing what would’ve been his 100^th birthday, Peyton has instead decided to merit attention toward Charley Patton.

Using only the bare minimums that Patton would’ve had at his disposal for recording during his lifetime, the album was made in a single day using only one microphone in mono sound. And it is masterful in capturing the sound and essence of Patton’s creativity. Taking a handful of the best known pieces from Patton’s catalog first recorded in the 1930s, Peyton accomplishes authentic takes that pay a mighty tribute with strong output, be they blues or gospel numbers.

A lot of people may argue that Robert Johnson was the be-all end-all of the great Delta artists, but let’s not forget that during his lifetime Charley Patton was the star of the Southern blues circuit. His music sold well and his performances were legendary; inspiring future blues greats like Son House, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and yes, even Johnson himself. And his material rivals any of the best recordings of their time, with The Reverend Peyton covering well-known titles such as “Tom Rushen Blues,” “Shake It And Break It,” “A Spoonful Blues,” “Elder Greene Blues” and “Mississippi Bollweavil Blues.” There are three takes on the song “Some Of These Days I’ll Be Gone,” all of them outstanding, but with differing approaches as Peyton takes turns on fingerstyle guitar, banjo and slide. The gospel pieces are every bit as strong as the blues, with perhaps “Jesus Is A Dying Bed Maker” the strongest of their presentations here.

As mentioned, this is mostly The Reverend’s solo work throughout, but Breezy Peyton does offer strong backing vocals to the song “Elder Greene Blues” and it should be noted that Persinger’s percussion is attributed to the use of slapping a 100-year-old tobacco barrel alone. Out the hundreds of recreations of Charley Patton’s music over the years, this just may be the finest and most authentic presentation of them all. An exceptional work that just may be the best of The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band output to date as well.

Total Time: 30:30

Jesus Is A Dying Bed Maker / Some Of These Days I’ll Be Gone / Mississippi Boweavil Blues / Elder Greene Blues / Tom Rushen Blues / Some Happy Days / Some Of These Days I’ll Be Gone – banjo version / Green River Blues / Prayer Of Death Pt. 1 / A Spoonful Blues / You’re Gonna Need Someone When You Come To Die / Shake It And Break It / Some Of These Days I’ll Be Gone – slide guitar version