New Album out soon!
Cover art by Rev
Available in Vinyl LP format
Listening Party July 23rd
Presented By:
Memphis Listening Lab
Crosstown Concourse
1350 Concourse Suite 269
Turn It Up
The Listening Lab at Crosstown will host a listening event to celebrate the release of Rev Neil Down’s new studio album, Turn It Up, on July 23 at 6:00 p.m.
For the unfamiliar, Rev began recording albums in the wild Yukon Canada Territory with 1999’s brilliant, American Friend, which featured Elvis Presley’s bassist, Jerry Scheff. Since then, he has recorded five solo albums, plus several albums with Deering and Down. Rev has lived all over the place, and traveled to more places than anyone can remember. He has recorded albums in Ireland with his friend Henry McCullough with other Irish legends helping out. Locally, Rev has recorded with Willie and Boo Mitchell at Royal Studios, and with Doug Easley, and James Cunningham. Rev was a Memphian before he ever moved to town. No matter who or where he is writing about, there is always plenty of Memphis soul and spirit in the room.
Turn It Up is prime Rev songwriting, infused with stories of unforgettable people and places. One minute you might be joining Rev and his new friends on a late-night drive through Vancouver, captivated by the lovely Lucy Martel. Or you might find yourself shooting pool while Rev pours his heart out in a little western bar that surely hasn’t changed much in 70 years. You can smell the bourbon in Jerry Lee Lewis’ Thunderbird as he speeds and weaves toward Graceland to confront the King. And whether Rev is dispensing love advice to the hopeless or serving time for a murder he didn’t commit, there is never a doubt that Rev means every word he says.
Join Rev at Crosstown’s Listening Lab for a preview of his soon to be released, Turn It Up.
Out Now!!
New Rev Neil Down Album!
- Rev Neil Down – Get Your Mind Right
- Available now on all Digital Platforms
Review of “When a Wrong Turns Right” by Rick Skidmore
Some day, Van Morrison, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and Nick Cave may stroll into Sun Records and cut an intimate session to be dubbed The Next Million Dollar Quartet. While this dream is implausible, Rev. Neil Down's incredible barroom testament gives hope to the possibility.
When a Wrong Turns Right is gruff, big, smooth and emotive at a turn and will be passed around to thirsty souls like a community whiskey bottle behind a skid-row pawnshop. Conceived in Down's Unabomber-styled shack in Alaska and recorded in Ireland, the album contains surprisingly accessible tunes. The good Reverend knows the secrets of evangelists like the overlooked Preacher Jack: Convict, then offer redemption. Sordid tales such as "Whippin' Boy" and "Sometimes Paradise" are of the leaving and adulterous sort. Down implicates himself with lines like "He said I just met you/But you seem preoccupied/It's as if you was running from some kind of trouble/Or somebody else's bride." When beauty rears its ugly head on the altar call "She's Talking to You," Down's sentiment is understated, not sappy. The simple moment beats out any gushing love-song idealism with the couplet "When you said I was your best friend/The tide rose to my eyes." Once absolved, the Rev tends to the flock in "The Big Brother," attempting to keep the wolves away from a teasing teen sibling: "You'd better be a good sister/Or I could end up black and blue/I might lose a chiclet or two." Just as clever as the lyrics are the time changes in "She Lets Me Do" which borders on prog-rock before shuffling back home to its folk beginnings.
The natural warmth of Down's rough voice is comforting and unexpectedly complemented by the innocence of Lahna Deering's heavenly hosting, while sorrowful pedal steel and desperate electric blues drive the soul-searching hymns "Part of Your Heart" and "Saint Jack's Cadillac." Keyboardist James Delaney has Jimmy Swaggart on one shoulder and his cousin Jerry Lee on the other as gospel organ and righteous piano give way to boogie-woogie backsliding. Prolific Irish guitarist Henry McCullough plays -- or downplays -- with more subtlety than his extensive background would imply. McCullough's biography is almost a credibility risk because of the high-profile performers with whom he's been associated, from Pink Floyd to Paul McCartney. The guitar leads fit the songs tastefully without any showboating. His country breakdowns on "Xalapa Linda" are classic Rick Nelson stuff, applied only where needed, and the smart conservation of notes leaves a desire for more.
Overall, the arrangements and the vocal phrasings on Down's latest are spacious, like classic Van Morrison, with overlapping instrumentation and rich sound separation. Like a drunk in a midnight choir, When a Wrong Turns Right makes a fellow want to belly up to the altar and receive the Alcoholy Spirit.
Photo Gallery
Listen Now
Upon Exiting The Flower Shop
Upon Exiting The Flower Shop
A clever account of a fortuitous visit to a flower shop. Follow along as Rev delves into poetry and word play. 9 minute run time.
Take It From Me - The Yukon Sessions
Take It From Me - The Yukon Sessions
Take It From Me - The Yukon Sessions
What a treat!
Recently rediscovered from the vault, this non album version of “Take It From Me” from the “American Friends “ project still sounds super fresh. Recorded in the Yukon in 1999, the track features Elvis Presley’s extraordinary bass player Jerry Scheff.
Perhaps this version should have made the cut? Listen and see what you think.
Shout out to the fine folks of Skagway Alaska and to the wild Yukon Territory of Canada
Every Block Needs an Alley
Take It From Me - The Yukon Sessions
Take It From Me - The Yukon Sessions
Erwin Haldimann
In Memoriam
Erwin was a great friend and supporter of the arts. Here he recites one of Rev's poems from his home in Switzerland