The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band - The Whole Fam Damnily [album]

Side One Dummy

March 24, 2009, 09:43 PM

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The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band. Immediately I’m more intrigued than I have been by a band name in some time…haha, take that Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head.
And, after giving their latest album The Whole Fam Damnily a listen, I feel relaxed, refreshed, and am beginning to make noises like “oowee” and asking for “maters” on my burger.

Originating from the Hoosier state in the US of A, The Reverend, his wife ‘Breezy’ and his younger brother Jayme combine to form the Big Damn Band making some of the most down to earth and honest rural blues/roots music around.

From the first track ‘Can’t Pay the Bills’, The Reverend Peyton and his Big Damn Band are all in with everything they’ve got. The speed at which the Rev picks the notes on his National guitar is incredible, and the genuine dedication to making their musical ability shine through over and above everything else is captivating.

The country lifestyle feel to the album is carried through into the accompanying booklet, with instrument list reading, “washboard, guitar, bucket…”, the thank-you column acknowledging the “Pig supplied by…”, and comes complete with a recipe for Persimmon Pudding on the final page.

‘Worn Out Shoe’ has The Rev’s vocals sounding like The King himself, and with lines like “Sometimes I lose, Sometimes I get lucky/From San Antone to East Kentucky” rolling off his tongue, and a pace change from Jayme on drums doubling the measure to the track (“Pick it up Jayme”), it epitomises the good time country origin of the band.

The song writing is flippant and inconsequential but nonetheless very honest and true as to the day-to-day life of their author. ‘Your Cousin’s On Cops’ is indeed about Breezy’s cousin being followed on the American TV show ‘Cops’ and ‘Wal-mart Killed the Country Store’ touching on the globalisation facing small town America.

Now to be completely honest, this album will be an acquired taste. But if you’ve ever considered buying any blues, country, roots albums before - you will most definitely enjoy this one, as it really is at the top of its field.

Track listing:
1. Can’t Pay the Bill
2. Mama’s Fried Potatoes
3. Worn Out Shoe
4. DT’s Or The Devil
5. Your Cousin’s On Cops
6. John Hughes
7. The Creeks Are All Bad
8. Them Old Days Are Gone
9. Wal-mart Killed the Country Store
10. I’d Love You Baby
11. Why is Everybody Getting Paid But Me
12. What’s Mine is Yours
13. Persimmon Song

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