The Austin Americana group Band of Heathens, consisting of original members Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist, and current bandmates Trevor Nealon, Richard Millsap and Jesse Wilson, have released seven albums, including two live EPs. Their most recent studio album, 2017’s Duende, peaked at #1 on the Americana radio charts. Today (9/14), the band is set to release their newest album A Message From The People Revisited, a classic from music icon Ray Charles with an alternate take for modern listeners. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Rock The Vote (organization founded on educating young voters) as a symbolic gesture to their producer, musical collaborator, and close friend George Reiff.
The original A Message From The People, released in 1972, was poignantly directed to the social issues and injustices at the time Charles recorded it. So much so that after conversations of today’s issues, both political and social, BOH played the original to lighten the mood. What they heard rang true to current experiences, and they felt the need to recreate the original to send the message, again, that Charles’ originally sung about.
While BOH stayed true to the original tracks, the songs lack the raspy bluesy vibe that is distinctly Ray Charles, however their pure organic vocals create an atmosphere worthy of the man himself. The following are few songs that stand out regarding the band’s vocals and arrangement.
“Heaven Help Us All” with keyboard, steady drums, and crisp bluesy vocals as well as harmonizing background vocals, create an easy laid back vibe.
In “Hey Mister“ the vocals and instrumentation brings the tune back to the day when the original was recorded, never losing the funk or the original message.
“Abraham Martin and John” has a bluesy piano intro that leads into an amazing vocal performance of this classic. Its arrangement doesn’t stray from the original, and manages to mix the old with the new.
“Take Me Home Country Roads” has perfect harmonies paired with strumming guitars. and steady drum beats BOH leaves the original vibe in place but with vocals that add a different vibe, one new fans will enjoy.
“Every Saturday Night,” the funkiness is ever present which takes the tune back to the 70’s where it began.
“America The Beautiful,”the iconic anthem is solely owned by Charles, especially when he performed several weeks after 9/11 at Game 2 of the World Series in New York, however the main vocals, along with what sounds like a choir in the background, will surely become today’s iconic anthem.
No one will ever replace the vocals and soulful sound of Mr. Charles, but BOH have definitely put their soul into the essence of who Charles was and the message he portrayed, a message that’s ever important today; patriotism, the impoverished, and genuine kindness for one another.
A Message From The People Revisited Track List:
Lift Every Voice and Sing
Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong
Heaven Help Us All
There’ll Be No Peace…Out All Men as One:
Hey Mister
Look What They’ve Done To My Song, Ma
Abraham Martin and John
Take Me Home Country Roads
Every Saturday Night
America The Beautiful
For information on the band, visit: www.bandofheathens.com