CLETUS' BIO followed by- DISCOGRAPHY/ BAND BIO's
After a twelve year hiatus, Cletus Black returned to Cleveland's rock'n'roll community in 1996. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the veteran singer-songwriter emerged in the late 1970s and released three original rock albums before calling it quits in 1984. The release in 1996 of Shades of Black, a retrospective of these albums, marked his return. The positive response to Shades of Black combined with a resurgence to his passion to create music caused Cletus to begin writing again. The result of this effort can be heard on his 1998 release Back It Up. This was followed by the 1999 self-titled Cletus Black, followed by Black Ice.
"Cletus' songs cover a wide range of musical styles. He dodges pigeon holes with his mix of blues, rock and shades of country. Cletus delivers his stories in a vocal style that is all his own backed by some of Cleveland's finest musicians."(Cleveland Free Times 12-29-99)
He has assembled a talented live band, The Cletus Black Revue, consisting of veteran drummer Rod Reisman, bassist Pat Walsh, Kevin McCarthy (guitar, vocals), and Dave Morrison (harmonica, vocals).
DISCOGRAPHY
Bloodlines to the Heart:
FREE TIMES: Anastasia Pantsios
Cletus Black's music harks back to a generation of blues and country-informed folk-rockers who sprang from the loins of Bob Dylan. His rootsy eclecticism, storytelling lyrics, strong songwriting craft and rough-hewn voice have much in common with that seemingly bottomless pool of talented Texas singer-singwriters such as Guy Clark, Townes Van Zant and Tom Russell. His music would sound more at home in Austin than in his native Cleveland. Tracks like "Cocaine Trail" and "Revenge" have a brooding sense of foreboding that recalls Johnny Cash. In fact, a general darkness and last-call desperation pervades the entire disc that's contrasted effectively with spirited music that sonically suggests an indominability in the face of life's reverses. Black made three albums from 1979-1984 before taking a break from music, but came back full-force in 1996, and this is his sixth disc since then. As always, he draws on an crop of talented veteran Cleveland players including blues guitarist Alan Greene, saxophonist Norm Tischler, vocalist Becky Boyd, harmonica Dave Morrison and violist Michael Dreyfuss to flesh out his songs.
SCENE MAGAZINE: Duane Verh
Cletus Black is one of the most distinctive singer-songwriters in the area and -- given his knack for lyrics -- one whose reach beyond the region is way overdue.
Bloodlines to the Heart builds on the strengths of Black's solid 2001 offering Black Ice, a disc abundant with hooks that established a variety of engaging moods and pictures. Black gets a lot of storytelling mileage out of the short, simple phrases from which he typically fashions his tunes. On Bloodlines, songs such as "Mr. Blues," "Cold Blooded Love," and especially "Dead on Arrival" all draw power from a less-is-more aesthetic. This set, while never dreary, is mostly dark; fittingly, a recurring Leonard Cohen influence is detectable on "We Are Hiding" and "Revenge." But for all the influences, Black is still his own man musically.
Not Too Blues: 2002
A powerful and versatile performing unit, The Cletus Black Revue has emerged as much more than just a "back-up band". Late in 2001, Cletus and the Revue tool over Closer Look studio for a long weekend to capture that power and personality on disc. The result is NOT TOO BLUES.
The Revue contains three strong song writers (besides Cletus) each of whom contribute to the disc. Harmonica virtuoso Dave Morrison performs 2 original numbers, and his impassioned vocal and sizzling harp work on "Let's Talk it Over" show him at his best. Guitarist Kevin McCarthy chips in with a tongue-in-cheek tribute to antiques ("Old Lumber"). The title track, an electric viola tour de force, was performed by Micheal 'Doc" Dreyfuss, and hearkens back to such numbers as "God Bless the Conspiracy" from the legendary band he co-founded, McKendree Spring. Cletus contributes three new original numbers as well, and "Graveyard Shift" and "Sweet Rosie" stand with any tracks previously recorded.
Recorded with a minimum of overdubs, NOT TOO BLUES is inteded to capture the feel and passion of the Revue live performance. Accordingly, they include some cover numbers. With trusted produce Tommy Rich at the board, NOT TOO BLUES is a disc sure to please fans of Cletus Black as well as introduce the unique personalitlies which are the Cletus Black Revue.
SCENE MAGAZINE: Steve Byrne
The Cletus Black Revue has made what might be the best live album ever to come out of a studio in the Cleveland area. An oxymoron, you say? Oh yeah. Still, Not Too Blues sure has the feel of a live recording, with little overdubbing to re-create that onstage atmosphere. Black, one of Northeast Ohio's most prolific songwriters, wanted it that way. He.s always stressed that the Cletus Black Revue is a band, rather than a vehicle to push the four Cletus Black CDs that he's released since 1997. This proves it. Only 4 of the 12 numbers are Black compositions. Harmonica ace Dave Morrison contributes two tunes, while guitarist Kevin McCarthy and viola player Michael Dreyfuss have one each.
THE FREE TIMES: Jeff Niesel
Singer-songwriter Cletus Black put out his first album in 1979, but took a lengthy break afterward and didn't start recording again until 1997. Now, Black performs regularly, working the local coffeehouse and blues circuit, sometimes playing solo and sometimes with his band, the Revue. Produced by Donnie Iris and the Cruisers' drummer Tommy Rich, this album with the Revue was made with few overdubs; as a result, it has all the immediacy of a live recording. Throughout, the Revue plays with all the swagger of a tight bar band and Black's working-class ethos and gruff voice make him comparable to Fred Eaglesmith, the Canadian country-folk guy who sings affectionately about bluetick hounds and broken-down cars. Black draws from a similar well, and writes about working shit jobs ("Graveyard Shift") and hopping trains ("Ride"). Covers of Creedence Clearwater's "Green River", Chuck Berry's "Nadine" and Willie Dixon's "Spoonful" are underwhelming, but this is a solid effort from one of Cleveland's most talented singer-songwriters.
B PLUS
Black Ice: 2001
"Black Ice" contains twelve original Cletus stories of life and love. Produced by Tommy Rich, it features the mandolin and slide guitar work of Bill Lestock. Jennifer Lee adds some outstanding background vocals, and guitar man Kevin McCarthy's acoustic rhythms are heard throughout this album. Add some upright bass, cimbalom, harmonica, dobro, and trombone and you have a very earthy yet contemporary sound. Accessible roots rock.
TONIGHT MAGAZINE: BlackIce picked as one of the 10 best CD's for 2001: 12/31/2001
After a 15-year lay-off of recording, area mystery man Black is at it again with a local who's who like guitarist Kevin McCarthy, drummer Tommy Rich, bassist Dallas Coffee, harpist Dave Morrison, vocalist Jennifer Lee and a all-star roster of talent. Produced by Tommy Rich, the low key roots/blues mix of BLACK ICE was the best of a ton of Clevelend artists released this year.
CLEVELAND FREE TIMES: Duane Verh: 11/13/2001
Cletus Black knows hooks. There are enough catchy phrases, tunes and choruses on Black Ice, the West Side singer/songwriter's fourth release, to invite a second listen. And thereafter, enough mood swings and peculiar personality to sustain a longer-term relationship. While traces of Waits, Cohen, Zevon and a shot of Buddy Holly are detectable in Black's writing, his own sense of power of simplicity prevails. "Take it on Faith" and ""Too Many Times" are gems of directness. If they pulled singles from albums, "He's Got a Harley" would be airplay-bound. Black's craft is extremely well-served by Tommy Rich's production, which borders on exquisite. While no one is specifically credited for the arrangements, someone should be applauded for the sensitivity shown to the material evident on virtually every track. Slide guitarist/mandolinist Bill Lestock, background vocalist Jennifer Lee and harmonica player Dave Morrison are standouts in a first-rate supporting cast. This is easily some of the best homegrown around. A MINUS
Cletus Black: 1999
The self titled Cletus Black CD was released one year after Back It Up. It contains twelve more original Cletus songs. This project has a bloozie-rock, live feel to it, and marks the addition of harmonica virtuoso Dave Morrison to the recording and also to Cletus' live band. Morrison cooks on "Night Train," "Bucket of Blues," "Taken By Time," and he jams with Mike Dreyfuss on "Hard Drinkin' Mama." Solid drum work by Nashville's Jimmy Clark keeps this disc rocking. The album was picked as one of the best of the year by the Cleveland Free Times.
CLEVELAND FREE TIMES: Laura DeMarco: 5/11/99
Cletus Black is a rootsy effort that walks the line between bar rock, country and blues. The end effort is that of a much rougher John Hiatt... Black's character-driven lyrical stories about poor souls, small town life and getting by, compellingly hold the songs together."
THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM: Steve Brown: 5/7/99
"Local singer/songwriter Cletus Black releases his second original CD less than a year after his critically-acclaimed Back It Up album. Smart move. Not only will Black attract listeners from the last record, he'll pick up a lot more from this smooth-sounding CD. Right from the start - "Bucket of Blues" and "Night Train" - Black and his band sound like they're performing in your living room while sipping down a few brews."
WRUW 91.1 FM: Cuzin' Dave: 4/26/99
"Regarding your new release "Cletus Black," the only problem I see is that there are too many excellent tracks, causing me to be indecisive in my programming choice."
SCENE MAGAZINE: Mark Holan, Associate Publisher: 4/29/99
"...the new disc sounds great. Favorite tracks: "Bucket of Blues," "Night Train" and "Taken By Time (revisited)." He sounds like Joe Ely. Take that as a compliment because he's one of my all-time favorite singer-songwriters. You know, the whole Texas thing."
BIG CITY CLUES: Mark A Cole: June/July 1999
"Cleveland's lyrical poet, Cletus Black is back with his latest batch of rock'n blues ballads and stories of life. Stuck in Ohio with a Greenwich attitude and a backcountry outlook, Black is kickin' up some of the best talent around him to deliver his latest edicts. Throwin' down a basic acoustic and electric mix with hints of hot harp, steamin' viola, slick slide, and hearty percussion this effort moves with an identity that is all its own... Leading it off with "Bucket of Blues," Black kicks it around with bounce and flair. The haunting rhythms of "Night Train" are punchy, while other killer cuts like "No Moon Night" and "Perfect Night for the Blues" resonate with your mind long after hearing them. Catch the humor of cuts like "I'm Testifyin'" and "With A Woman Who Rolls." An Ohio original, Cletus Black is an elite wordsmith with a unique musical vision.. scope this... it's rockin' blues noir!"
SCENE MAGAZINE: Steve Byrne, Music Reviewer: June 1999
"Cletus Black comes through with another dose of party-ready, no-fooling rock and roll with his self-titled album. From the opening of "Bucket of Blues," the album's first track, you know everything will be all right. Strains of John Hiatt, Delbert McClinton, Nils Lofgren and Bob Welch period Fleetwood Mac are detected on this release. Black mines the same vein as he did with last year's BACK IT UP but the harmonica playing of Dave Morrison makes CLETUS BLACK a bluesier experience, although everything remains strictly in the rock and roll fold. One possible exception is "Black Diamond," probably the disc's most interesting inclusion, with its Spanish guitar and tale of star-crossed love. This is a song that could easily have been pulled off by a country balladeer like Robert Earl Keen or Kevin Welch. In a decade when rock has lost much of its original reason for being, it's great to see someone like Black still making records that show people how to have a good time."
CLEVELAND FREE TIMES: 12/29/99
"A dozen gritty vignettes from a guitarist/vocalist/songwriter who dodges pigeonholes with this mix of blues, rock, and shades of country. Black delivers the lyrics from a place that hovers between singing and spoken-word, often pondering life's rougher edges but always offering brief glimmers of hope. The whole package comes across like some cosmic intersection of Delta blues, classic rock and R and B. He's surrounded here by a small army of able-bodied session players, including guitarists Allan Greene and Austin "Walkin' Cane" Charanghar and harpist Dave Morrison."
Back It Up: 1998
Now known as "the babe CD," Back It Up marks the return of Cletus to his music. It contains twelve brand new original songs featuring "Clothesline Blues", "Orbit Sleep", and "Depot Road." "Stage Left" received worldwide air play. A raucous version of the Animals "I'm Crying" closes out the album. This CD introduces Michael Dreyfuss, former McKendree Spring co- founder, to Cletus' recording and to his live band. Local blues favorite Colin Dussault adds some tasty harmonica. Catchy stuff.
BIG CITY BLUES: Aug./Sept. 1998
"These grooves emanate from Cleveland, Ohio via the deep dark Paris nightclubs and/or the dank alleys of New York. Fantastic writing and fanatical arrangements gives this a Velvet Underground feel. Raw, deep and powerful blues! Great backup and tighter than tight deliveries!"
SCENE MAGAZINE: Steve Byrne: 5/21/98
"As a songwriter, Black stands on the shoulders of giants...Every song has a distinctive hook and the lyrics are sufficiently mature and esoteric...after walking away from a recording career 14 years ago...with the release of Back it Up he is a candidate for comeback player of the year."
106.7 PBS: Victoria, Australia: Big AI Watts
"Cletus Black, I really liked this guy, interesting lyrics with a great band behind him."
Shades of Black: 1996
Shades of Black is a compilation of Cletus' 1980's recordings digitally remixed and remastered. "Pumping Iron" and "Smokey Blue" has former Dead Boy Jimmy Zero doing background vocals. "Blues on Time" and "Tattoo Blues" feature slide guitar work from Kim Simmonds (Savoy Brown). Fine piano playing by Chicago stalwart Phil Baron and lots of stinging guitar from Cleveland guitar master Alan Greene can be heard all over this disc. Timeless rock n roll.
GREETINGS FROM THE NORTHCOAST: Kevin McCarthy
"I was pleasantly surprised to find a straight ahead rock-n-roll album spiced with some blues and country. Add a unique singing voice, and the resulting mix makes Shades of Black an interesting disc. Cletus Black's voice is a deep gritty instrument which in itself makes the disc worth a listen. He reminds me a lot of Eric Burdon.... Black has a knack for catchy mid-tempo rockers."
JAM NITE NEWS: Dave Hopkins
"Cletus' calling card lists him as a songwriter first and foremost. And that is the feature of his album Shades of Black.... This all-original album showcases the capabilities of what true creativity can do with the songwriting process.... Cletus is good at balancing on the tightrope of instrumental ingenuity and lyrical creativity for each of the fourteen songs herein included.... Cletus does not portray himself to be anything other than what he is, a songwriter, a rock-n-roller and a first rate bandleader. Who says you can't have it all in music. With Shades of Black, there is 52 minutes of worthwhile music in the true tradition of rock and roll, honest and forthright, just like the man playing it."
BAND BIOGRAPHIES:
KEVIN McCARTHY (lead guitar, vocals)
Kevin McCarthy first met Cletus Black in 1997 when both appeared on the AROARA Compliation CD project. Cletus invited Kevin to play keyboards on the Back It Up sessions in 1998. With the release of that CD, the first version of the Revue was formed, featuring Kevin on keyboards and Michael Dreyfuss on viola. By the time of the Cletus Black recording sessions in 1999, Kevin had taken over lead guitar duties with the Revue and the current lineup was solidified. His studio contributions on guitars and keyboards continued on the Black Ice sessions.
Besides playing with the revue, Kevin keeps an active and varied schedule with other bands and as a solo performer. Accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, Kevin's vast repertoire of rock and pop music, as well as Irish folk music, has made him a popular solo artist in clubs and pubs throughout Northern Ohio. As leader of The Cleveland Beat, he wrote and recorded a number of popular parody songs which received substantial airplay ("Bad, Bad Cleveland Browns", "The Mailman Song", and "Hasta La Vista, Bambi" to name a few). The Cleveland Beat were also grand prize winners writing and recording the theme song to WMJI's Denny Sanders radio show. He also co-founded and performs with the ExCats, a group which has recorded two discs of original rock-n-roll.
DAVE MORRISON (harmonica,vocals)
Dave started playing with "The Revue" in 1999. He can be heard on the self titled Cletus Black CD as well as the most recently released Black Ice. Dave has been performing and teaching the harmonica professionally since 1973. From 1980 - 2000, Dave was the band leader of Cleveland based blues band Aces and Eights. For the past 25 years, Dave has performed in a variety of settings. He has played clubs,concerts,and has appeared on radio and television. In 1996 and 1997, Dave conducted a harmonica workshop at The Cleveland Blues Festival. He has also been a much sought after studio musician. Recent CD projects include:
Flattered, Original movie soundtrack (1995)
Live at the Savannah (1996)
Over Budget-Late but Great, Tom Shaper and The Mature Individuals (1996)
Help Yourself, Walkin' Cane (1996)
This Hand is Live, Aces and Eights (1997)
Goin' to Work, The Bad Boys of Blues (1997)
Cletus Black (1999)
Around the Block, Real Life (2001)
Black Ice, Cletus Black (2001)
PAT WALSH (bass guitar)
Pat Walsh has played with the Cletus Black Revue since 1998. Before joining the review, he has played in a variety of bands and has played throughout the U.S. including stops at the House of Blues in New Orleans, and the Las Vegas Luxor . Pat also showcased at the 1998 SXSW Music Conference in Austin, Texas. His recent studio endeavors have been with Cleveland singer/songwriter Anthony James, and the Cletus Black Revue Release Not Too Blues.
ROD REISMAN (drums)
Rod Reisman, one of the most sought after drummers in Cleveland, has been playing with the Revue since 2001. Some of Rod's most notable endeavors have been with The Numbers Band, Buckeye Biscuit Band and Baby Sirloin. He was also the original drummer for Sextet Devo (yes that Devo). His talents have been displayed throughout the world with a tour of the Far East with the USO in 1975 and 1976, and stops at the Playboy Club and Disneyland. From 1984 to 1997 Rod had played with one of Cleveland's most popular bands First Light. Keeping a busy schedule, Rod is the current drummer for The Prayer Warriors and Sweet Willy and the Solid Cats along with the Revue.
<- Back to Projects
After a twelve year hiatus, Cletus Black returned to Cleveland's rock'n'roll community in 1996. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the veteran singer-songwriter emerged in the late 1970s and released three original rock albums before calling it quits in 1984. The release in 1996 of Shades of Black, a retrospective of these albums, marked his return. The positive response to Shades of Black combined with a resurgence to his passion to create music caused Cletus to begin writing again. The result of this effort can be heard on his 1998 release Back It Up. This was followed by the 1999 self-titled Cletus Black, followed by Black Ice.
"Cletus' songs cover a wide range of musical styles. He dodges pigeon holes with his mix of blues, rock and shades of country. Cletus delivers his stories in a vocal style that is all his own backed by some of Cleveland's finest musicians."(Cleveland Free Times 12-29-99)
He has assembled a talented live band, The Cletus Black Revue, consisting of veteran drummer Rod Reisman, bassist Pat Walsh, Kevin McCarthy (guitar, vocals), and Dave Morrison (harmonica, vocals).
DISCOGRAPHY
Bloodlines to the Heart:
FREE TIMES: Anastasia Pantsios
Cletus Black's music harks back to a generation of blues and country-informed folk-rockers who sprang from the loins of Bob Dylan. His rootsy eclecticism, storytelling lyrics, strong songwriting craft and rough-hewn voice have much in common with that seemingly bottomless pool of talented Texas singer-singwriters such as Guy Clark, Townes Van Zant and Tom Russell. His music would sound more at home in Austin than in his native Cleveland. Tracks like "Cocaine Trail" and "Revenge" have a brooding sense of foreboding that recalls Johnny Cash. In fact, a general darkness and last-call desperation pervades the entire disc that's contrasted effectively with spirited music that sonically suggests an indominability in the face of life's reverses. Black made three albums from 1979-1984 before taking a break from music, but came back full-force in 1996, and this is his sixth disc since then. As always, he draws on an crop of talented veteran Cleveland players including blues guitarist Alan Greene, saxophonist Norm Tischler, vocalist Becky Boyd, harmonica Dave Morrison and violist Michael Dreyfuss to flesh out his songs.
SCENE MAGAZINE: Duane Verh
Cletus Black is one of the most distinctive singer-songwriters in the area and -- given his knack for lyrics -- one whose reach beyond the region is way overdue.
Bloodlines to the Heart builds on the strengths of Black's solid 2001 offering Black Ice, a disc abundant with hooks that established a variety of engaging moods and pictures. Black gets a lot of storytelling mileage out of the short, simple phrases from which he typically fashions his tunes. On Bloodlines, songs such as "Mr. Blues," "Cold Blooded Love," and especially "Dead on Arrival" all draw power from a less-is-more aesthetic. This set, while never dreary, is mostly dark; fittingly, a recurring Leonard Cohen influence is detectable on "We Are Hiding" and "Revenge." But for all the influences, Black is still his own man musically.
Not Too Blues: 2002
A powerful and versatile performing unit, The Cletus Black Revue has emerged as much more than just a "back-up band". Late in 2001, Cletus and the Revue tool over Closer Look studio for a long weekend to capture that power and personality on disc. The result is NOT TOO BLUES.
The Revue contains three strong song writers (besides Cletus) each of whom contribute to the disc. Harmonica virtuoso Dave Morrison performs 2 original numbers, and his impassioned vocal and sizzling harp work on "Let's Talk it Over" show him at his best. Guitarist Kevin McCarthy chips in with a tongue-in-cheek tribute to antiques ("Old Lumber"). The title track, an electric viola tour de force, was performed by Micheal 'Doc" Dreyfuss, and hearkens back to such numbers as "God Bless the Conspiracy" from the legendary band he co-founded, McKendree Spring. Cletus contributes three new original numbers as well, and "Graveyard Shift" and "Sweet Rosie" stand with any tracks previously recorded.
Recorded with a minimum of overdubs, NOT TOO BLUES is inteded to capture the feel and passion of the Revue live performance. Accordingly, they include some cover numbers. With trusted produce Tommy Rich at the board, NOT TOO BLUES is a disc sure to please fans of Cletus Black as well as introduce the unique personalitlies which are the Cletus Black Revue.
SCENE MAGAZINE: Steve Byrne
The Cletus Black Revue has made what might be the best live album ever to come out of a studio in the Cleveland area. An oxymoron, you say? Oh yeah. Still, Not Too Blues sure has the feel of a live recording, with little overdubbing to re-create that onstage atmosphere. Black, one of Northeast Ohio's most prolific songwriters, wanted it that way. He.s always stressed that the Cletus Black Revue is a band, rather than a vehicle to push the four Cletus Black CDs that he's released since 1997. This proves it. Only 4 of the 12 numbers are Black compositions. Harmonica ace Dave Morrison contributes two tunes, while guitarist Kevin McCarthy and viola player Michael Dreyfuss have one each.
THE FREE TIMES: Jeff Niesel
Singer-songwriter Cletus Black put out his first album in 1979, but took a lengthy break afterward and didn't start recording again until 1997. Now, Black performs regularly, working the local coffeehouse and blues circuit, sometimes playing solo and sometimes with his band, the Revue. Produced by Donnie Iris and the Cruisers' drummer Tommy Rich, this album with the Revue was made with few overdubs; as a result, it has all the immediacy of a live recording. Throughout, the Revue plays with all the swagger of a tight bar band and Black's working-class ethos and gruff voice make him comparable to Fred Eaglesmith, the Canadian country-folk guy who sings affectionately about bluetick hounds and broken-down cars. Black draws from a similar well, and writes about working shit jobs ("Graveyard Shift") and hopping trains ("Ride"). Covers of Creedence Clearwater's "Green River", Chuck Berry's "Nadine" and Willie Dixon's "Spoonful" are underwhelming, but this is a solid effort from one of Cleveland's most talented singer-songwriters.
B PLUS
Black Ice: 2001
"Black Ice" contains twelve original Cletus stories of life and love. Produced by Tommy Rich, it features the mandolin and slide guitar work of Bill Lestock. Jennifer Lee adds some outstanding background vocals, and guitar man Kevin McCarthy's acoustic rhythms are heard throughout this album. Add some upright bass, cimbalom, harmonica, dobro, and trombone and you have a very earthy yet contemporary sound. Accessible roots rock.
TONIGHT MAGAZINE: BlackIce picked as one of the 10 best CD's for 2001: 12/31/2001
After a 15-year lay-off of recording, area mystery man Black is at it again with a local who's who like guitarist Kevin McCarthy, drummer Tommy Rich, bassist Dallas Coffee, harpist Dave Morrison, vocalist Jennifer Lee and a all-star roster of talent. Produced by Tommy Rich, the low key roots/blues mix of BLACK ICE was the best of a ton of Clevelend artists released this year.
CLEVELAND FREE TIMES: Duane Verh: 11/13/2001
Cletus Black knows hooks. There are enough catchy phrases, tunes and choruses on Black Ice, the West Side singer/songwriter's fourth release, to invite a second listen. And thereafter, enough mood swings and peculiar personality to sustain a longer-term relationship. While traces of Waits, Cohen, Zevon and a shot of Buddy Holly are detectable in Black's writing, his own sense of power of simplicity prevails. "Take it on Faith" and ""Too Many Times" are gems of directness. If they pulled singles from albums, "He's Got a Harley" would be airplay-bound. Black's craft is extremely well-served by Tommy Rich's production, which borders on exquisite. While no one is specifically credited for the arrangements, someone should be applauded for the sensitivity shown to the material evident on virtually every track. Slide guitarist/mandolinist Bill Lestock, background vocalist Jennifer Lee and harmonica player Dave Morrison are standouts in a first-rate supporting cast. This is easily some of the best homegrown around. A MINUS
Cletus Black: 1999
The self titled Cletus Black CD was released one year after Back It Up. It contains twelve more original Cletus songs. This project has a bloozie-rock, live feel to it, and marks the addition of harmonica virtuoso Dave Morrison to the recording and also to Cletus' live band. Morrison cooks on "Night Train," "Bucket of Blues," "Taken By Time," and he jams with Mike Dreyfuss on "Hard Drinkin' Mama." Solid drum work by Nashville's Jimmy Clark keeps this disc rocking. The album was picked as one of the best of the year by the Cleveland Free Times.
CLEVELAND FREE TIMES: Laura DeMarco: 5/11/99
Cletus Black is a rootsy effort that walks the line between bar rock, country and blues. The end effort is that of a much rougher John Hiatt... Black's character-driven lyrical stories about poor souls, small town life and getting by, compellingly hold the songs together."
THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM: Steve Brown: 5/7/99
"Local singer/songwriter Cletus Black releases his second original CD less than a year after his critically-acclaimed Back It Up album. Smart move. Not only will Black attract listeners from the last record, he'll pick up a lot more from this smooth-sounding CD. Right from the start - "Bucket of Blues" and "Night Train" - Black and his band sound like they're performing in your living room while sipping down a few brews."
WRUW 91.1 FM: Cuzin' Dave: 4/26/99
"Regarding your new release "Cletus Black," the only problem I see is that there are too many excellent tracks, causing me to be indecisive in my programming choice."
SCENE MAGAZINE: Mark Holan, Associate Publisher: 4/29/99
"...the new disc sounds great. Favorite tracks: "Bucket of Blues," "Night Train" and "Taken By Time (revisited)." He sounds like Joe Ely. Take that as a compliment because he's one of my all-time favorite singer-songwriters. You know, the whole Texas thing."
BIG CITY CLUES: Mark A Cole: June/July 1999
"Cleveland's lyrical poet, Cletus Black is back with his latest batch of rock'n blues ballads and stories of life. Stuck in Ohio with a Greenwich attitude and a backcountry outlook, Black is kickin' up some of the best talent around him to deliver his latest edicts. Throwin' down a basic acoustic and electric mix with hints of hot harp, steamin' viola, slick slide, and hearty percussion this effort moves with an identity that is all its own... Leading it off with "Bucket of Blues," Black kicks it around with bounce and flair. The haunting rhythms of "Night Train" are punchy, while other killer cuts like "No Moon Night" and "Perfect Night for the Blues" resonate with your mind long after hearing them. Catch the humor of cuts like "I'm Testifyin'" and "With A Woman Who Rolls." An Ohio original, Cletus Black is an elite wordsmith with a unique musical vision.. scope this... it's rockin' blues noir!"
SCENE MAGAZINE: Steve Byrne, Music Reviewer: June 1999
"Cletus Black comes through with another dose of party-ready, no-fooling rock and roll with his self-titled album. From the opening of "Bucket of Blues," the album's first track, you know everything will be all right. Strains of John Hiatt, Delbert McClinton, Nils Lofgren and Bob Welch period Fleetwood Mac are detected on this release. Black mines the same vein as he did with last year's BACK IT UP but the harmonica playing of Dave Morrison makes CLETUS BLACK a bluesier experience, although everything remains strictly in the rock and roll fold. One possible exception is "Black Diamond," probably the disc's most interesting inclusion, with its Spanish guitar and tale of star-crossed love. This is a song that could easily have been pulled off by a country balladeer like Robert Earl Keen or Kevin Welch. In a decade when rock has lost much of its original reason for being, it's great to see someone like Black still making records that show people how to have a good time."
CLEVELAND FREE TIMES: 12/29/99
"A dozen gritty vignettes from a guitarist/vocalist/songwriter who dodges pigeonholes with this mix of blues, rock, and shades of country. Black delivers the lyrics from a place that hovers between singing and spoken-word, often pondering life's rougher edges but always offering brief glimmers of hope. The whole package comes across like some cosmic intersection of Delta blues, classic rock and R and B. He's surrounded here by a small army of able-bodied session players, including guitarists Allan Greene and Austin "Walkin' Cane" Charanghar and harpist Dave Morrison."
Back It Up: 1998
Now known as "the babe CD," Back It Up marks the return of Cletus to his music. It contains twelve brand new original songs featuring "Clothesline Blues", "Orbit Sleep", and "Depot Road." "Stage Left" received worldwide air play. A raucous version of the Animals "I'm Crying" closes out the album. This CD introduces Michael Dreyfuss, former McKendree Spring co- founder, to Cletus' recording and to his live band. Local blues favorite Colin Dussault adds some tasty harmonica. Catchy stuff.
BIG CITY BLUES: Aug./Sept. 1998
"These grooves emanate from Cleveland, Ohio via the deep dark Paris nightclubs and/or the dank alleys of New York. Fantastic writing and fanatical arrangements gives this a Velvet Underground feel. Raw, deep and powerful blues! Great backup and tighter than tight deliveries!"
SCENE MAGAZINE: Steve Byrne: 5/21/98
"As a songwriter, Black stands on the shoulders of giants...Every song has a distinctive hook and the lyrics are sufficiently mature and esoteric...after walking away from a recording career 14 years ago...with the release of Back it Up he is a candidate for comeback player of the year."
106.7 PBS: Victoria, Australia: Big AI Watts
"Cletus Black, I really liked this guy, interesting lyrics with a great band behind him."
Shades of Black: 1996
Shades of Black is a compilation of Cletus' 1980's recordings digitally remixed and remastered. "Pumping Iron" and "Smokey Blue" has former Dead Boy Jimmy Zero doing background vocals. "Blues on Time" and "Tattoo Blues" feature slide guitar work from Kim Simmonds (Savoy Brown). Fine piano playing by Chicago stalwart Phil Baron and lots of stinging guitar from Cleveland guitar master Alan Greene can be heard all over this disc. Timeless rock n roll.
GREETINGS FROM THE NORTHCOAST: Kevin McCarthy
"I was pleasantly surprised to find a straight ahead rock-n-roll album spiced with some blues and country. Add a unique singing voice, and the resulting mix makes Shades of Black an interesting disc. Cletus Black's voice is a deep gritty instrument which in itself makes the disc worth a listen. He reminds me a lot of Eric Burdon.... Black has a knack for catchy mid-tempo rockers."
JAM NITE NEWS: Dave Hopkins
"Cletus' calling card lists him as a songwriter first and foremost. And that is the feature of his album Shades of Black.... This all-original album showcases the capabilities of what true creativity can do with the songwriting process.... Cletus is good at balancing on the tightrope of instrumental ingenuity and lyrical creativity for each of the fourteen songs herein included.... Cletus does not portray himself to be anything other than what he is, a songwriter, a rock-n-roller and a first rate bandleader. Who says you can't have it all in music. With Shades of Black, there is 52 minutes of worthwhile music in the true tradition of rock and roll, honest and forthright, just like the man playing it."
BAND BIOGRAPHIES:
KEVIN McCARTHY (lead guitar, vocals)
Kevin McCarthy first met Cletus Black in 1997 when both appeared on the AROARA Compliation CD project. Cletus invited Kevin to play keyboards on the Back It Up sessions in 1998. With the release of that CD, the first version of the Revue was formed, featuring Kevin on keyboards and Michael Dreyfuss on viola. By the time of the Cletus Black recording sessions in 1999, Kevin had taken over lead guitar duties with the Revue and the current lineup was solidified. His studio contributions on guitars and keyboards continued on the Black Ice sessions.
Besides playing with the revue, Kevin keeps an active and varied schedule with other bands and as a solo performer. Accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, Kevin's vast repertoire of rock and pop music, as well as Irish folk music, has made him a popular solo artist in clubs and pubs throughout Northern Ohio. As leader of The Cleveland Beat, he wrote and recorded a number of popular parody songs which received substantial airplay ("Bad, Bad Cleveland Browns", "The Mailman Song", and "Hasta La Vista, Bambi" to name a few). The Cleveland Beat were also grand prize winners writing and recording the theme song to WMJI's Denny Sanders radio show. He also co-founded and performs with the ExCats, a group which has recorded two discs of original rock-n-roll.
DAVE MORRISON (harmonica,vocals)
Dave started playing with "The Revue" in 1999. He can be heard on the self titled Cletus Black CD as well as the most recently released Black Ice. Dave has been performing and teaching the harmonica professionally since 1973. From 1980 - 2000, Dave was the band leader of Cleveland based blues band Aces and Eights. For the past 25 years, Dave has performed in a variety of settings. He has played clubs,concerts,and has appeared on radio and television. In 1996 and 1997, Dave conducted a harmonica workshop at The Cleveland Blues Festival. He has also been a much sought after studio musician. Recent CD projects include:
Flattered, Original movie soundtrack (1995)
Live at the Savannah (1996)
Over Budget-Late but Great, Tom Shaper and The Mature Individuals (1996)
Help Yourself, Walkin' Cane (1996)
This Hand is Live, Aces and Eights (1997)
Goin' to Work, The Bad Boys of Blues (1997)
Cletus Black (1999)
Around the Block, Real Life (2001)
Black Ice, Cletus Black (2001)
PAT WALSH (bass guitar)
Pat Walsh has played with the Cletus Black Revue since 1998. Before joining the review, he has played in a variety of bands and has played throughout the U.S. including stops at the House of Blues in New Orleans, and the Las Vegas Luxor . Pat also showcased at the 1998 SXSW Music Conference in Austin, Texas. His recent studio endeavors have been with Cleveland singer/songwriter Anthony James, and the Cletus Black Revue Release Not Too Blues.
ROD REISMAN (drums)
Rod Reisman, one of the most sought after drummers in Cleveland, has been playing with the Revue since 2001. Some of Rod's most notable endeavors have been with The Numbers Band, Buckeye Biscuit Band and Baby Sirloin. He was also the original drummer for Sextet Devo (yes that Devo). His talents have been displayed throughout the world with a tour of the Far East with the USO in 1975 and 1976, and stops at the Playboy Club and Disneyland. From 1984 to 1997 Rod had played with one of Cleveland's most popular bands First Light. Keeping a busy schedule, Rod is the current drummer for The Prayer Warriors and Sweet Willy and the Solid Cats along with the Revue.
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