The Reverend Double J: Music

Lost Souls

(Ron Brewer)

A prophetic take on the demise of the record industry. Generations who grew up in the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's experienced radio at its peak. Radio meant something to our generations. It was more than a box that emitted sound. Radio and the deejays who spun the records were friends of the listening public. But when it became big business "the tie guys", i.e. the 'suits' or the 'squares', put a chokehold on it. It began in the 70's when Rock 'n' Roll moved into arenas and platinum albums became standard. It dug its heels in during the 80's (see J.J.'s article on Jill Jones and why her debut on Paisley Park Records was shot down). The 90's saw the emergence of a running gag that became the norm by the millennium, the same dozen songs playlist recycled day after day and hour after hour.

LOST SOULS is a call to a return to the days when radio was an important part of American life. It never did return, and probably never will, but a decade after this album was recorded it was reborn in digital form as Internet Radio and the independent musicians who populate it.

J.J. thought both the feel of the song and the subject matter dictated a driving R&B bass line. The same line was later used under the guitar solo on ONE OF THESE DAYS from his album HEARTLAND which he wrote towards the end of this group. Ron wanted horns on it and J.J. suggested the horns follow the bass line just like on a lot of 50's R&B tunes. A good idea that never materialized.

Ron Brewer - vocals, rhythm guitar
Mike Kruzil - lead & rhythm guitars
J.J. Vicars - bass
Gary Rakow - drums