MP3 Reverend Raven - Big Bee

Blues Chicago Style - West Side Guitar Meets Southside Harp

13 MP3 Songs
BLUES: Chicago Style, BLUES: Guitar Blues



Details:
Born and raised on the south side of Chicago Richard Raven first heard the blues of Louis Jordan, T-Bone Walker and Pee Wee Crayton coming from his mother's stereo. His older cousin later brought home the records of Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Magic Sam, Slim Harpo, Buddy Guy and Otis Rush.

After seeing Freddy King at the Kinetic Playground, he started going to Maxwell Street on Sunday afternoons to see Johnny Dollar, Lefty Dizz and Jimmie Lee Robinson play in the alleys and on the street corners.

The 1970s were spent going to the clubs and taverns on the south side of Chicago and Chicago Heights to see and hear raw urban blues.

After playing in bands for 5 years and doing a 15 year stint in U.S. Navy, where he acquired the Reverend tag, Chief Raven hung up his anchors to give music another go.

That was 12 years ago and he hasn't looked back. Since then he has become a regular on the Midwest blues circuit, playing Buddy Guy's Legends, The Slippery Noodle, Memphis Smoke, Fat Fish Blue, Blues on Grand, The Zoo Bar, Whiskey Junction and most of the Midwest blues festivals. Rev has won the Wisconsin Area Music Industry Award (WAMI) for best blues artist in 1999,2000, 2004.


Benny Rickun: Harmonica

Benny is a protege of Milwaukee harmonica great Jim Liban (Short Stuff). He plays his fills and comps like Big Walter Horton and solos with a style all his own with nods to Little Walter, Junior Wells, James Cotton and Carey Bell. Heâs been tearing up the clubs in Milwaukee with the Blue Rubies, The Alex Wilson Band and now as a member of Rev's band.

Spencer Panosh: Drums

A native of Whitelaw, Wisconsin, Spencer has made his living since the age of seventeen playing the drums. One of the most sought after drummers in Wisconsin, he has toured with the Dave Steffen band and played with Madison Slim, Ken Saydak, Jay Stulo and the Mighty Aces, Bruce Koenig, Bobby Evans and the Alimony Blues Band.

Peetie Pedersen: Bass

Peetie honed his skills while touring and recording with Charlie Musslewhite in the 60âs and 70âs. He has been a member of the Luther Tucker Band, Sunnyland Slim, Pinetop Perkins, Big Walter Horton, Fenton Robinson, Hubert Sumlin, Johnny Young, Big Time Sarah, Zora Young and Jerry Portnoy. Heâs also recorded John Brim, Robben Ford, Byran Lee, Billy Flynn and Jim Liban.