A new Americana voice out of Brooklyn…the Reverend John DeLore
About a month ago, I was visiting my friend Lauren in Seattle and we happened to duck into the Can-Can up near the Pike Market. It was hot outside, we were thirsty, they had drinks. Done and done.
But they also had a stage, and on this stage was a tall young man with a beat-up acoustic guitar, a harmonica, a beard, and a voice that seemed to travel far and wide. We settled into one of the booths and for the next forty minutes we enjoyed the rest of the set by the Reverend John DeLore.
Think of a rangier Dylan meets Dostoevsky (whom he name dropped before playing his song, “New Song for the Crossroads”). Think of a Wilco meets William Carlos Williams, or a Ryan Adams meets Rimbaud. You get my drift: music + poetry.
After the set Lauren and I sat and had a drink with John. Turns out he’s a pretty down to earth guy as well. We asked him some questions about his songs, about his lyrics, and he took the time to tell us some stories.
We each bought a copy of the Reverend’s album, “Ode to an American Urn.” A beautifully packaged CD, we took it home, thinking it was a solo-acoustic record. Press play and ‘wham-oh!’ a full-on, Americana blues & roots groove comes thumping and rumbling out of the stereo on the opening track (“Art of War”).
Song after song the album reveals all kinds of moods. From confessional to confidential, from bold to beaten. And with each mood comes a new sound, a new angle, a new perspective of this “American Urn” that is being eulogized (or honored?).
In short, the Reverend John DeLore’s vocals, combined with his lyric,s combined with the deftness of the band yields a unique collection of songs as dynamic as the national identity they seek to explore. And I recommend you explore the album.
SUGGESTED LISTENS: I like them all really, but these three are my faves: “Everybody Knows Your Name” (track 2); “New Song for the Crossroads” (track 7); “Slow Down” (track 9)…
To purchase the album go to
http://johndelore.bigcartel.com/product/ode-to-an-american-urn
If you’re on last.fm, check out some of the songs from “American Urn” at
http://www.last.fm/music/The+Reverend+John+DeLore
Check out his excellent cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Iodine” (with DIY video) at