Jake Black, the Very Reverend D. Wayne Love, founder member, singer and co-writer for the Alabama 3 has died, taken ill after a performance at the Highpoint Festival in Lancashire. Coming out of Brixton in the mid 90s they succeeded in fusing country and blues with acid house and found fame when their song Woke Up This Morning became the theme tune to The Sopranos. They always struck me as being infused with the spirit of south London with a touch of Happy Mondays style shambolics, tailor made for festivals and street parties. According to the band Jake has now made the ascension to the next level and they have been trying to complete booked dates without him which must be difficult.
This song is a favourite of mine, a hypnotic riff and dance beat with a Jim Jones sample about change coming from the barrel of a gun.
Mao Tse Tung Said (Radio K Mix)
This John Prine cover was a 1997 single and on their debut, Exile On Coldharbour Lane.
Speed of The Sound Of Loneliness
6 comments:
Sad news
I once saw him marrying a couple on stage at an epic King Tuts gig
Oh man, had many a moment to the all powerful all holy Reverend Doctor D.W.A.Y.N.E Love first Reverend of The First Presleytarian Church Of Elvis The Divine.
I was shocked to hear this. He was quite a wordsmith and presence onstage.
Unfortunately I never got the chance to see him on stage but like you I love Mao Tse Tung Said and that first album
Further musings...
Is there a word for when a musical sound fills in for a word. That 'Through' noise is so effective!
It's kinda odd, singing along to Jim Jones quotes, but it's so damn catchy!
Very sad to hear this. I remember seeing them live at some festival or other in the 90s and they put on a great show. That John Prine cover may well have introduced me to John Prine. And I loved their Johnny Cash song.
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