If the soundtrack to the new concert film and documentary “The Reverend Horton Heat: 25 to Life” is any indication of the power and infectious personality of this legendary trio, then the DVD will be a must have for fans new and old alike.
The Dallas trio was filmed and recorded live at the historic Fillmore Theater in San Francisco in 2010, capturing the energy of The Reverend Horton Heat doing what they do best, performing live and killing it, giving us deeper appreciation for one of the hardest touring bands in the business.
The tracks span the 25years and 10 albums given to us from Jim Heath, aka The Reverend and his fire breathing signature Gretsch guitar. Although Heath claims he never set out to be a guitar hero, his playing here is simply mind blowing as he rips off licks of equal parts shred, twang, surf, blues, country, rock all 100 percent fun. Many call him the godfather of psychobilly, but Heath prefers to describe their sound as “country-fed punkabilly” with his focus remaining fixed on his lyrics, which are filled with rapier wit and zaniness. You can’t help laughing and singing along to the chorus of “Callin’ in Twisted” and “Please Don’t Take the Baby to the Liquor Store.” Everyone will raise a glass and shout during the swinging “It’s Martini Time.”
Not to be overlooked are the heroics of bass man “Jimbo” Wallace, doing things no one thought possible on the upright, and the pyrotechnic drumming of Paul Simmons who mixes rockabilly two-step shuffle with double bass blast beats that would make Vinnie Paul proud; each get well deserved solos and features. Props must also be given to the sound techs and production team for this album, as this is a crystal clear live sound where every nuance of the performance can be felt as if you’re sitting in the front row.
Originally published at Innocents Words 9-2012
