Reverend Organdrum

Psychobilly maniac the Reverend Horton Heat (aka Jim Heath) has gone off on what his long-time fans might think is a new tangent. Accompanied by Asleep at the Wheel’s keyboardist Tim Alexander and drummer Todd Soesbe, guitarist Heath—whose first musical interests were Chicago blues, rockabilly and “country mavericks”—focuses on the organ trio format that was popular in the ’50s and ’60s and proves he can handle the job with a terrific rendition of Bill Doggett’s “Honky Tonk.” Moving smoothly between TV and movie themes (e.g., “Theme to Route 66,” “James Bond Theme,” “A Shot in the Dark”) blues (a sensational version of T-Bone Walker’s “Strollin’ With Bones”), jazz (Roland Kirk’s “Black and Crazy Blues”) and much, much more, the trio doesn’t miss a beat. Flitting over and under Alexander’s B3 grooves Heath asserts his own forceful individuality on this 18-track, hour-long disc. Whether lazing along indolently on “Night Train” (long a stripper’s favorite), putting the heat to the beat on Booker T. & the MG’s “Can’t Be Still” (dig Soesbe’s solo!) or ripping it up on a peppy take of Ray Charles’ “I Got a Woman,” they get the job done. Vintage goods with a modern edge—nice!