Friday, May 30, 2008

The Reverend Organ Drum plays lively show at the Scat Jazz Lounge

By Brenna Rushing

At first glance of Sundance Square, it’s a challenge to spot the Scat Jazz Lounge out of all the bars and clubs. It’s nestled between two brick buildings, and involves an elevator.

As you go downstairs you instantly absorb the candlelight and dark lit room in the lounge. The mood brings you into a world of jazz and invites you to sit and relax. There are tables across the room, a petite stage in the front, and a small bar towards the back.

The drink menu is impressive. It boasts multiple recipes including whiskey drinks, martinis, wines, and beers. The crowd consists of men and women in their late twenties to early thirties. As it came time for the band to start, the room began to fill up.

The main attraction for most of the crowd was the band playing, Reverend Organ Drum. They are a side project of Reverend Horton Heat, a local favorite amongst Dallas concert goers. They consist of the “Reverend” Jim Heath, the front man, keyboardist Tim Alexander, and drummer Todd Soesbe. The group is a visual experience. The Rev wears Buddy Holly-style glasses and a fedora. Tim sports a long gray ponytail and a Harley Davidson shirt, while the drummer gives his best impression of a T-Bird from Grease.

The "Reverend"

On this night, they had a guest playing with them. The internationally known saxophone player Johnny Reno played his all in a one-time only show with the band. He added an extra pizzazz to the group wearing a Frank Sinatraesque suit, while at the same time resembling Christopher Walken.

Throughout the entire show they played lounge style tunes, with a rock and roll edge. The Reverend played on a vintage guitar, emitting a sound that resembles traditional blues music. In one of the earlier songs, the organ player played with his face. A resounding applause erupted from the crowd when he finished.

Many pictures were being taken from the crowd; the band was a huge success. As of now Reverend Organ Drum is a temporary project, so if you get a chance over the summer take the opportunity to see this amazing act.

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