Album Review: The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band - Between the Ditches

It seems like each year we celebrate the release of a new CD from The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band. Last year it was there salute to Charley Patton with Peyton on Patton - and reviewed on MyJoogTV. This year its Between the Ditches - a collection of songs which extend their persona beyond traditional country blues towards a more rockin' blues sound.  There's still the Reverend's baritone croaky vocals and amazing handling of various guitars, from the 30's national guitar found hanging on a restaurant wall to a new cigar box guitar. Breezy provides more backing vocals which are always a plus considering her angelic voice. And distant cousin Aaron “Cuz” Persinger keeps the rhythm on the drum kit. But rockin' is the new standard with the first few tracks on this CD - gritty, sometimes angry, and in your face. They return to old country blues in Shut the Screen and continue in the vein until the best song of the CD, Brown County Bound - a soft ballad showcasing The Reverend's picking and vocal harmonies with Breezy. Makes you completely forget the harder edge opening tracks.