Rev. Gary Small & the Deacons releases new all-original CD

by Patrice Raplee

Liquid smooth guitar riffs pulsing out stereophonic Santana mesmerized patrons of The Country Inn, a landmark upscale blues club located in Tualatin.

Performing together for the last six years, Rev. Gary Small and the Deacons proficiently demonstrate their ability to play music such as Santana and Little Feat, as well as unequalled original blues tunes. Small's current CD entitled Cheyenne Blue lays to rest the notion that the Deacons are not a "true" blues band. While the title track Cheyenne Blue has a definite Native American motif, the rest of Small's CD is original blues at its best.

Rev. Gary Small and the Deacons consists of Gary Small on guitar and vocals; Steve Smith on guitar and backing vocals; Landon Seelid on bass; Graham Lear on drums (formerly with Santana); and Canton Lyles on congas.The night this writer had the pleasure of listening to the band, Michael Romanaggi filled in on drums.

A Native American from Montana, Small approaches his music with an altruistic attitude. A definite focus of Small's is changing belief systems concerning Native American music. While spiritual influence and cultural heritage are part of Small's writing, the image of flutes and drums played on top of a hill in spiritual meditation is not what comprises Native American music. Small would like to convey the phenomenal sense of humor shared by most Native Americans and the concept of getting through a life that is not monetarily driven.

Small and his band will release their next CD in early summer. Tentatively entitled Wild Indians, this roots-rock compilation derives its name from a friend of Small's who is a comedian. His friend joked about different religious organizations visiting the reservations hoping to convert Native Americans to Christianity, Small's comedian friend humorously states he is now a "born again" savage, hence the title.

If two CDs in one year are not enough, not to mention performing with the Deacons full time, Small is already making plans with drummer Lear for yet another CD. Enlisting other big names in the music industry, including a few more Santana members, Lear and Small are striving for a mixture of roots-rock and reggae with borrowed Latin influences.

Cheyenne Blue is not just another blues CD by locals; it is definitely worth adding to your collection. Although Small has written all the compositions and lyrics for his CD Cheyenne Blue, the group only plays about 30 percent originals when performing live. Executing classic cover tunes with talent and experience, this professional band has even the die-hard pool players leaving their sticks on the table to listen to the Reverend and his Deacons' brand of magic.

Take the time to discover why Rev. Gary Small and the Deacons are one of the most talked about groups in town.

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