Julius Pittman & the Revival

Julius Pittman & The Revival Southern Soul Served Hot

Managed byMaedco Management

Tom [email protected]

(804) 285-0809

Bucket Listavailable at CDBaby.com

Tired of Being AloneDon’t Need No Reason

Willing To LearnSideshow

Part Time LoverDoes Your Mama Know About Me

A Good Fool Is Hard To FindLove Came Out of Nowhere

Love Changes Like the Weather

www.juliuspittmanrevival.com

Cross Harp Chronicles Julius Pittman & the Revival Drips with Southern Soul

RICHMOND, VA -- Southern soul singer/ keyboardist Julius Pittman & the Revival announce the May 25 release of their debut CD, Bucket List. The new album includes four original songs, plus covers of Al Green’s “Tired of Being Along,” Jack Mack & the Heart Attack’s “Don’t Need No Reason” and “Willing to Learn,” Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers’ “Does Your Mama Know About Me” and Albert Collins’ “A Good Fool Is Hard to Find.”

The Julius Pittman & the Revival band lineup includes Julius Pittman on lead vocals and keyboards, Randy Moss on guitar, Audie Stanley on bass, Chris McIntyre on drums, John Stanley on tenor sax, Howard Smith on baritone and tenor sax and Dave Triplett on trumpet and flugelhorn.

Bucket List was produced by Julius Pittman and showcases his amazingly soulful vocals in a true southern soul setting. With horn arrangements that recall the best of the great horn bands (Chicago, Tower of Power, Jack Mack & the Heart Attack) of the past, Julius Pittman & the Revival create a rock and soul sound that’s as funky on the dance groove songs as it is tender on the ballads.

“My overall concept of the CD was to showcase the band’s influences over the years; hopefully, to gel into a Rock and Soul Revival, without forgetting our blues and jazz roots” says Pittman. “Al Green is one of my all-time favorites, and the first time I heard Jack Mack’s first album, Cardiac Party, I literally jumped out of my seat,” he recalls.

“I knew that’s the kind of band I wanted to be in.”

Talking about the other cover tunes, Pittman says “’Does Your Mama Know About Me’ is just as relevant today as it was when Tommy Chong (of Cheech and Chong fame) wrote it when it was a top 30 hit for Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers. Guest tenor sax player Chuck Williams played with blues great Albert Collins for many years, and that’s how we brought ‘A Good Fool is Hard to Find’ into the mix.”

All members of the band are veterans of the Virginia area show-band and beach music scenes with extensive playing credentials. Julius Pittman grew up in Kilmarnock, Virginia and was releasing soul music singles by the time he was in high school.

Pittman’s testifying vocal style was influenced by soul singers Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and James Brown, among others. The raw production styles he heard on the Stax (in Memphis) and Fame (in Muscle Shoals) studio recordings were what his idea of sound was all about. He preferred the greasy and less polished sound that had originally driven his desire to be a singer. His funky Hammond B-3 organ style acknowledges a debt to Stevie Winwood, among others.




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Julius Pittman & the Revival will continue to tour the southeast in support of the CD release, including a mix of beach music and blues clubs and festivals throughout the summer. The band is represented by Maeco Management (804-285-0809).

For more information, visit www.juliuspittmanrevival.com.

Julius Pittman & the Revival create a rock and soul sound that’s as funky on the dance groove songs as it is tender on the ballads.




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Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange Mark S. Tucker

This is a white soul group possessing a devilish way in establishing fundamental grooves and keeping to them, even during the balladic numbers. Right from the start, in Tired of Being Alone, the listener is pulled into the cadence and set to boppin’ a la the old Sons of Champlin or Stoneground until the vocal portion drops out and you realize you were really hearing a Willie & the Hand Jive boogie crossed with an Allman Bros. fundament. A Good Fool is Hard to Find swings even harder, and then the Al Green element slides in on “Does Your Mama Know about Me”, peppered with just a touch of jazzy Marshall Tucker as the cut closes out (especially in that uncredited flute--or is it a synth? If so, J.W. Belden has it down!).

Lead singer Julius Pittman also mans a righteous Hammond in a septet that includes three horns (and a generous session back-up ensemble). Though he can hit an emotional plane of rising urgency and plaintive wail, the atmosphere is smooth and cool. Guitarist Randy Moss could’ve been set loose a bit more often, carrying a really nice bite in his leads, but, then, no one’s given too much, as the entire emphasis is on each song as a whole unit, a good formula keeping Pittman center stage, where the compositions concentrate. This is old Motown / Fillmore material and needs that ambiance.

Chicago, Tower of Power, and Jack Mack & the Heart Attack are cited as influences, but I also hear Rastus, Chase, Ambergris, Ballinjack, Mandrill, and a bunch of the neglected 70s horn rock bands as well. There is indeed a testifyin’ vibe through the entire release so that, yes, Otis and Brother James Brown are quite vividly recalled, especially in intensities reached in Love Came out of Nowhere. I’ve noted elsewhere that the soul revival is on (catch the recent review of Tad Robinson [here]) and, given this and about a dozen other CDs across the last couple years, there are going to be a lot of new ears cropping up for the estimable old sound, so ease that Fairlane down the road, and someone see if they can’t hunt Wolfman Jack and XERB up on the radio.

This is a white soul group possessing a devilish way.




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American Blues News Silver Michaels

Bucket List is a fine example of an album and artist that should benefit from the recent surge in popularity enjoyed by Southern soul. The band is a solid seven members strong (Pittman on vocals, Hammond B-3 and electric piano, Randy Moss on guitars, Audie Stanley on bass, Chris McIntyre on drums and a horn section featuring John Stanley on tenor sax, Howard Smith on baritone and tenor saxes and Dave Triplett on trumpet and flugelhorn) and features some impressive guest contributions as well.

The greatest danger facing a band with that sort of lineup is simple overkill, but Bucket List does a very nice job with clean, punchy horn arrangements, a sweet mix between the horns, keys and vocals and some excellent production values. Pittman himself claims Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and James Brown as being among his vocal influences, and it truly shows. The influence even stretches beyond the stellar vocal work, again into the arrangements which are clean, effective and do as fine a job of using a horn section as I’ve heard in a while now. It certainly sounds as though these fellas are road tested fans of Southern soul.

The album runs a little short - a hair shy of 40 minutes, nine songs total - but what is presented is pure quality. Four originals, five covers (including Al Green’s Tired Of Being Alone, a surprising but impressive album opener). I found it hard to believe that this is the band’s debut release, even upon discovering that most of the members have extensive experience in other settings. They have the feel and sound of solid musicians who love what they’re doing and have already molded themselves into a strong and cohesive unit. I know that I, for one, will anxiously await future releases!

Hard to believe that this is the band’s debut release.




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Soul Tracks Howard Dukes

It’s easy to see how someone would confuse blues and Southern soul because there is a great deal of overlap. Blues singers can make Southern soul records and vice versa. And Southern soul act Julius Pittman and the Revival have at least one blues song on Bucket List, their new album - a cover of the Albert Collins classic “A Good Fool is Hard To Find,”

It would also be tempting to refer to the music on Bucket List as a retro soul record, but in the minds of many fans of the genre, Southern soul never went away. Bucket List becomes another in the ever growing catalog of Southern soul records. Bucket List is also a good representative of the genre, featuring covers of Southern soul classics such as “Tired of Being Alone,” by Al Green - perhaps the most famous Southern soul singer. The album also includes a cover of “Does Your Mama Know About Me,” a song written by Tommy Chong. Both songs showcase the band’s ability to address the topic of love in its varying themes and tempos.

The band reveals its fun and funky side on the bouncy tune “Sideshow,” an original which tells the story of a down home guy who finds himself at a party with a bunch of snobs. The horn work in that song will bring to mind the work of iconic 1970s bands such as Tower of Power . One of my favorite parts of this album is that Pittman and his band mates use the music to show the debt that Southern soul owes to both gospel and blues music. Modern music seems to have moved so far away from those genres that it is somehow hard to remember that gospel and blues is the root of it all. Bucket List is roots music that confirms that the Southern soul genre is alive, vibrant and well.

Bucket List is roots music that confirms that the Southern soul genre is alive, vibrant and well.




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BC Music John Taylor

There’s lots of so-called ‘neo-soul’ around these days, but most of it lacks the spark, the fire, the sheer passionate intensity of soul music’s glory years. Bucket List, the debut disc from Richmond, Virginia-based Julius Pittman & The Revival makes no concessions to modernity. As an utterly period-perfect collection of hot soul and funky R&B, It’s as though the last 45 years simply haven’t happened.

Pittman, possessed of a gritty marvel of a voice, leads a horn-heavy ensemble of industry vets through an authentic romp of a recording, right down to the slightly muddy lo-fi production that avoids the slick and sterile in favor of an earthy, organic sound.

Pittman, who contributes electric piano and Hammond B3, wrote four of the disc’s nine tracks, with covers from the likes of Al Green (“Tired Of Being Alone”), Albert Collins (“A Good Fool Is Hard To Find,” easily the bluesiest track present) and a pair from Jack Mack & The Heart Attack (“Don’t Need No Reason” and the yearning “I’m Willing To Learn”). Pittman’s heart is clearly in the era, as his own compositions (one a co-write with horn arranger Terry Baber) are virtually indistinguishable from the covers.

The material is party-hearty, with equal emphasis on sweaty funk and percolating rhythm and blues - stuff that fills dance floors while sending a shiver down your spine. The band treads that tricky line between impeccably tight and gloriously loose with aplomb, and Pittman is a stunning vocalist, with a gritty, raw delivery that’s as believable as it is passionate. Whether he’s strutting his stuff or baring his soul with gut-wrenching candor, he absolutely owns every tune he tackles, directing the show with unquestionable authority.

A killer collection, this one might be ‘retro’ but you’d never know it -- it’s a fresh and as vital and packs a punch as visceral and immediate as -- well, as an immediate need to dance. Right now!

Highly recommended.

The band treads that tricky line between impeccably tight and gloriously loose, and Pittman is a stunning vocalist, with a gritty, raw delivery that’s as believable as it is passionate.




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Blues Bytes Review (Phoenix Blues Society) Graham Clarke

There’s been a steady stream of releases over the past year or two spotlighting soul music. To most blues fans, that’s a good thing, since many blues fans (yours truly among them) actually moved toward the blues from soul music. In my case, the sounds of 60’s soul from Stax, Atlantic, Fame, Motown, and others provided a springboard to the blues. That’s why it’s always a pleasure when a new soul disc hits the racks.

Julius Pittman & the Revival is one of those groups keeping the soul sound alive. Based in Virginia, where most of the members were involved in the local show band and beach music scene, the group’s debut release, Bucket List, is a refreshing walk down memory lane with a great set of 60’s southern soul and 70’s rock and soul.

The disc is a mix of originals and covers. The covers include a smoking version of Al Green’s “Tired Of Being Alone,” a pair of tunes (“Don’t Need No Reason” and “Willing To Learn”) from Jack Mack & the Heart Attack, a big influence on the band, Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers’ “Does Your Mama Know About Me” (written by Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong fame), and Albert Collins’ “A Good Fool Is Hard To Find.”

The originals range from “Sideshow,” which has a strong horn section reminiscent of Chicago and Tower of Power, to “Part Time Lover,” which mixes a bit of New Orleans second line with the horns and some tasty Hammond B3 to a pair of soul ballads (“Love Came Out of Nowhere” and “Love Changes Like The Weather”).

Pittman does a wonderful job on vocals and plays a mean Hammond B3. The Revival is a tight six-man unit (Randy Moss -- guitar, Audie Stanley -- bass, Chris McIntyre -- drums, John Stanley -- tenor sax, Howard Smith -- baritone and tenor sax, Dave Triplett -- trumpet, flugelhorn) and they augmented on several tracks by more horns (Lee Quisenberry -- trombone, trumpet, Hugh “Chuck” Williams -- tenor sax), keyboards (J. W. Belden -- grand piano, synths), percussion (Alejandro Diequez) and backing vocals (Sharon Dennis, Curtis Swisher).

Fans of old school soul from the late 60’s and the great horn bands of the 70’s (Tower of Power, Chicago, etc.) will want to get their hands on Bucket List. If you reside in the southeastern part of the U.S., look for Julius Pittman & the Revival this summer. Visit the band’s website at www.juliuspittmanrevival.com.

Julius Pittman & the Revival is one of those groups keeping the soul sound alive.




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Midwest Record -- Chicago, IL Chris Spector

Veterans of the Virginia beach music scene with a healthy dose of Memphis soul in their mix, this isn’t a retro soul band per se, but damn if they don’t kick it into gear sounding like a lost Stax/Malaco goodie. Atmospheric set that takes you to a time and place as much as it takes you to a sound, deep Southern soul fans have a real treat waiting for them here. If this is up your alley, be sure to give it a spin as it hits the spot.

deep Southern soul fans have a real treat waiting for them here.




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Rappahannock Record Robert Mason Jr

Julius Pittman & The Revival recently released a debut CD, “Bucket List.”

The disc includes four original songs, plus covers of “Tired of Being Alone” by Al Green, “Don’t Need No Reason” and “Willing to Learn” by Jack Mack & The Heath Attack, “Does Your Mama Know About Me” by Bobby Taylor and The Vancouvers, and “A Good Fool Is Hard to Find” by Albert Collins.

The band is fronted by Julius “Ray” Pittman, who grew up in Kilmarnock. Pittman leads the band on his Hammond B-3 organ and vocals, belting out rock, soul, blues and funk, with a distinctly southern sound. The band adds a pinch of jazz and a dash of classic beach, creating a sound suitable for the dance floor.

Revival members include Randy Moss on guitar, Velpo Robertson on guitar and vocals, Audie Stanley on bass and vocals, Chris McIntyre on drums and vocals, John Stanley on tenor sax, Howard Smith on baritone and tenor sax and Dave Triplet on trumpet and flugelhorn. They are all veterans of the Virginia area show-band and beach-music scene with extensive playing credentials.

“My overall concept of the CD was to showcase the band’s influences over the years; hopefully, to get into a rock and soul revival, without forgetting our blues and jazz roots,” said Pittman. “Al Green is one of my all-time favorites, and the first time I heard Jack Mack’s first album, ‘Cardiac Party,’ I literally jumped out of my seat. I knew that’s the kind of band I wanted to be in.”

Pittman produced the CD. The band is represented by Thomas Maeder of Maeco Management in Richmond and by Mark Pucci Media of Atlanta. Jan Williams of Fatt Catt Prouctions in Lancaster handles sound and lights for the shows and serves as webmaster.

Julius Pittman & The Revival draws a large following locally; Pittman’s bands always do.

Upcoming shows include a benefit dance from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 26, at the Lively Ruritan Center to benefit Penny Gilbert & Lymphoma Awareness. The benefit is slated from 4 to 11 p.m. Ottoman will open the music at 6 p.m. Julius Pittman & The Revival also is scheduled to play at Savannah Joe’s in Kilmarnock from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. July 2.

Many fans have followed Pittman’s career, beginning with Ray and the Soul Beats, a soul band he formed while still in high school. Pursuing a parallel path of rhythm and blues and rock and roll, he formed Bull (southern rock and R&B) in 1976.

From there, he formed the Ray Pittman Band (southern rock) in 1981, The Cheaters (blues) in 1983 and the Kingpins (blues and soul review, commercial pop) in 1985.

Although successful up and down the East Coast for many years, the Kingpins dissolved in 1999 and Pittman played with several regional




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cover bands before forming the Ray Pittman Project (rock and jam) in 2005.

In February 2009, Pittman organized Julius Pittman & The Revival. Throughout the rest of the year, he kept both bands going.

However, now back on the soul track, Pittman’s goal is to produce music reminiscent of the days when musicians played their instruments without limits. His objective is to give band members the freedom to “spread their wings” and express their individual music personalities.

The result is a rich, deep, breath-taking sound. It’s not just music, it’s downright soulful.

As long as people are dancing, Pittman will continue to perform. Right now, he’s on the cutting edge of a soul revival.

Julius Pittman & The Revival will tour the Southeast throughout the summer, including a mix of beach music and blues clubs and festivals. The CD will be available at the shows.

Wherever he goes, whatever he’s playing, whoever the band is, he’s still Ray to us and we’ll continue to support him.

The result is a rich, deep, breath-taking sound. It’s not just music, it’s downright soulful.




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Blues & Rhythm (UK) -- ISSUE #251 Phil Wight

This is blue-eyed soulster Julius Pittman & The Revival’s debut CD. Singer/keyboard player Pittman possesses a mighty soulful set of pipes and the Revival is a horn heavy aggregation in the finest tradition of bands like Tower Of Power and Chicago. All the band members are veterans of the Virginia area show band and beach music scene; Pittman counts Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and James Brown among his influences. He looks to the Stax and Fame sound for his approach, preferring a rougher, funky approach rather than a polished sound.

Standout cuts: well for me they have to be Al Green’s ‘Tired of Being Alone’, Pittman’s own ‘Sideshow’, the lovely soul ballad ‘Does Your Mama Know About Me’, the stone blues ‘A Good Fool Is Hard To Find’, and the Stax-influenced groove ‘Love Changes Like The Weather’.

If singers like Eddie Hinton ring your bell, then this guy is definitely worth checking out, a very pleasant surprise indeed!

If singers like Eddie Hinton ring your bell, then this guy is definitely worth checking out




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Nashville Blues Society Sheryl and Don Crow

With the recent surge in popularity in “neo-soul” groups such as Charles Walker and the Dynamites and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Julius Pittman has a ready-made niche’ of fans who will really dig his new CD, “Bucket List.” It’s full of high-octane, horn-leavened soul and R & B that hearken back to the days of bands such as Tower of Power and Jack Mack and the Heart Attack. Add to the mix that Julius hails from Virginia, itself a hotbed of dance activity, where shaggin’ is king and beach music is the driving force.

That touch of “the beach” shows that Julius is also paying tribute here to groups like the Tams and General Johnson and the Chairmen of the Board. Those guys placed equal emphasis on the groove and danceability of the uptempo songs as well as the tenderness and “soul” in the ballads.

The band contains a full horn section, all of whom are veterans of the beach music scene, and Julius plays a mean B-3 as an integral part of the mix. He wrote the four originals that accompany the five smokin’ covers. The set kicks off with a smooth take on “Tired Of Being Alone,” then the horns jumpstart the midtempo “Don’t Need No Reason.” A scratchy guitar and the punchy horns drive Julius’ original tale of a man who “just doesn’t fit the mold” of high-society, and likens himself to a “Sideshow in a three-ring circus!” A very danceable second-line beat propels “Part Time Lover,” and a fickle partner is the subject in the set-closing “Love Changes Like The Weather.” Julius’ soulful B-3 is prominently featured in this one.

We had two favorites, too. Saxman Chuck Williams spent several years with Albert Collins, and “A Good Fool Is Hard To Find” rocks from start to finish. And, perhaps the most powerful ballad on the set is “Willing To Learn,” tailor-made for a slow-dance with that special someone, fueled by Julius’ testifyin’ vocal read.

Julius Pittman and the Revival are bent on keeping alive the sound that defined an era in musical history--that of the sweet soul music from the Stax and Hi labels, and the beach music of his native Virginia, where the groove can transplant you to a place where it truly is summertime all year long!!! Until next time...

Julius Pittman and the Revival are bent on keeping alive the sound that defined an era




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CashboxMagazine.com Christopher Llewellyn Adams

The sound of soul is alive and well, and Julius Pittman & the Revival have soul to share on “Bucket List”, their latest album. With equal parts Temptations and Four Tops, Julius Pittman and his mates are bringing back soul in a big way.

These guys have the world’s ears and minds at heart when cranking out their hits. They have no problem giving their best and keeping the album flowing. With solid production and consistent flow, the album was a joy to listen to from beginning to end.

I’ll take “Sideshow” as the best song. It paints a picture of life through the eyes of a great artist, and is a pleasure to hear. The album doesn’t take a song off throughout, a solid release from top to bottom.

The sound of great music is always pleasing to my ears, and great soul music is no different. I’d put Julius Pittman’s latest right next to Smokey Robinson in my collection. Give Julius Pittman’s “Bucket List” a spin today.

With equal parts Temptations and Four Tops, Julius Pittman and his mates are bringing back soul in a big way.




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The Bluegrass Special That Sweet Soul Music David McGee

Do you like good music? That sweet soul music? Just as long as it’s swingin’? Oh, yeah! Oh, yeah!

Spotlight on Julius Pittman now. Don’t he look boss, y’all? Singin’ “Tired of Being Alone.” Oh, yeah, oh, yeah...

With apologies to Arthur Conley, the lyrics of his Otis Redding-produced 1968 smash hit come back with a rush when Julius Pittman & The Revival’s Bucket List gets cued up. These fellows are an octet of seasoned soul practitioners from down Virginia way who play like they were to Muscle Shoals born. This is, bar none, the best white soul band to emerge since Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, and it has a similar lineup, horns and all, and in Pittman a gritty, intense, driving lead singer who can spit fire on the grinders and caress a ballad with unusual sensitivity to mood and meaning. The folks at the shore in Virginia, and farther south, in the Carolinas, know what’s going on here--JP & The Revival are right on time to assume a spot in the hierarchy of contemporary Beach Music bands (see last month’s article on Beach Music for reference). They’re also right on time to continue fueling a bubbling under revival of classic soul styles, a la Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings and Otis Taylor, among a few select others. One listen to the syncopated wonders of the horn- and organ-fueled workout from the Jack Mack & The Heart Attack songbook, “Don’t Need No Reason,” will drive you deeper and more eagerly into Bucket List, if you weren’t already inspired to do so by the preceding album opening cut, a slinky take on Al Green’s “Tired of Being Alone” snaking its way out of Memphis, heading for Muscle Shoals while Pittman’s nasally, pleading vocal and those shadowing stabs of horns retain the sensuous allure of the Reverend Green’s definitive take, but adding some tasty solos courtesy muted flugelhorn (Dave Triplett, presumably) and a wailing tenor sax. (Nice touch at the fadeout, too, as Pittman groans about how he “can’t get next to you,” another tip of the hat to our Al, whose “I Can’t Get Next To You” substituted a cool, persistent, expressed longing in place of the Temptations’ blistering heat); similarly, a bopping take on Albert Collins’s “A Good Fool Is Hard To Find” retains the pulsating, horn-fueled soundscape of the Iceman’s original (with guitarist Randy Moss deserving a hearty applause for his stinging but fatter-toned Iceman-centric solo), as Pittman delivers his straight-faced admission of being a more gullible, and therefore more desirable, consort for his woman with wry humor.

But Bucket List isn’t about what a great cover band can do when it’s on. An inspired songwriter with a gift for straight talk, Pittman contributes five delectable originals among the nine tracks, ranging from the insistently pumping ode to friends with benefits, “Part Time Lover”; to the sensuous, driving “Your Love Changes Like the Weather,” a rich declaration of fidelity to an unpredictable lover that cruises along at a midtempo gait behind a horn section alternately jittery and bleeting, and Moss’s shifting guitar textures; to “Love Came Out of Nowhere,” a beautiful soul ballad, churchy in its deep, somber organ base and Moss’s quiet, tumbling guitar riff that soon make room




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for the horns to surge in and recede softly from the soundscape, as Pittman divests himself of his most heartfelt and deeply dramatic vocal on the record as he works up to tear-stained supplication, both in gratitude to a woman who showed him affection he could never have imagined existed, and in beseeching her to come back to him--that’s the twist, in the beauty of the opening sentiments gradually being revealed as past tense as the singer makes a last, desperate effort to save the relationship. Thus the world as we know it, people making up and breaking up, and in Bucket List Julius Pittman & The Revival offer some memorable advice on how to rally through it all. Timeless advice, delivered in a timeless style. Hold on, they’re comin’!

This is, bar none, the best white soul band to emerge since Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes




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Virginia Pilot Eric Feber

Besides state politics, Richmond is also home to some of the best Southern soul, blues and beach music artists in the commonwealth. Led by soul man Steve Bassett and blues mavens Li’l Ronnie & The Grand Dukes, our capital city can now add singer/keyboardist Julius Pittman and his horn-driven septet, The Revival, to that esteemed funky roster.

On this debut record, the Kilmarnock native showcases his killer blue-eyed soul voice -- somewhere between Billy Price and the Rascals’ Felix Cavaliere -- and his command of the Hammond B3 organ. He croons and shouts his way through a quartet of originals and covers by Al Green, Albert Collins, Jack Mack & The Heart Attack and Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers.

Like a Southern-fried Tower of Power, the Revival keeps it real by blasting Pittman’s soul with funky ‘60s and ‘70s brassy grease and grooving rhythms for a genuine soul revival.

Like a Southern-fried Tower of Power, the Revival keeps it real




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Blues Blast Magazine James “Skyy Dobro” Walker

9 tracks; 39:23 minutes; Splendid

Style: Horn Band meets Southern Soul vocalist for a Rock and Soul revival

Julius Pittman’s incredibly good CD immediately raised two issues: First, instead of a Soul fan listening to a cover of a classic song like Al Green’s “Tired of Being Alone,” why not just play the original? Secondly, is it possible to record an album with old school stereo separation between left and right speakers like we first heard back when stereo replaced monaural?

Virginia show band and beach music veteran Julius Pittman opens the set with Al Green’s “Tired of Being Alone” done deftly, but in pretty much the original arrangement and vocal style. While that might put off a few, I found it a great sounding reminder of that wonderful song. Also, there are bound to be new listeners out there buying a new CD like Pittman’s unfamiliar with Al Green. I’ll guarantee my daughters born after 1980 have not heard this song. Honestly, I had never heard Robert Johnson’s “Love in Vain” until the Rolling Stones covered it on 1969’s “Let It Bleed” vinyl album. I did now what I did then, I dug back and enjoyed both the original and the new cover.

Whatever happened to discrete stereo separation? Today’s CDs are mixed with almost everything coming right down the middle and only a little uniqueness in each separate channel. “Bucket List” is a refreshing and pleasing reminder of the joyous days of leaving my mono record player behind and playing my new Zenith stereo with short, round speaker towers. It is pretty cool to hear guitar and muted trumpet over there, saxophone and organ over here, and Julius Pittman’s testifying vocal style coming down the middle. For the complete retro-stereo experience, listen through headphones!

Julius Ray Pittman, enduring years of musical frustration, in 2009, saw the opportunity to form a band dedicated to revitalizing Old School Rock & Soul sounds of the Memphis Stax / Volt era. Their 2009 recording “Bucket List” brings sounds and dynamics reminiscent of West Coast horn bands Jack Mack & The Heart Attack and Tower of Power, also sounds of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and Buddy Miles.

“My overall concept of the CD was to showcase the band’s influences over the years; hopefully, to gel into a Rock and Soul Revival, without forgetting our blues and Jazz roots,” says Pittman. “Al Green is one of my all-time favorites, and the first time I heard Jack Mack’s first album, “Cardiac Party,” I literally jumped out of my seat,” he recalls. “I knew that’s the kind of band I wanted to be in.”

Pittman wrote four originals that accompany five inspired covers. Following “Tired Of Being Alone,” horns kick start Jack Mack & The Heart Attack’s “Don’t Need No Reason.” B-3 Organ, horns, Pittman’s vocals -- the song just soars!

The most powerful ballad in the show is Jack Mack & The Heart Attack’s “Willing To Learn,” perfect for a slow-dance with someone




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special or singing along with Julius’ incredible vocal take.

The second-line beat pumping up original tune “Part Time Lover” should fill dance floors while Tommy Chong’s slow dancer “Does Your Mama Know About Me” is as poignant and relevant as it was when Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers recorded it. Guest tenor Saxman Hugh “Chuck” Williams, a veteran of Albert Collins’ band, brought “A Good Fool Is Hard To Find” into the mix for some killer Rock and Soul.

The Revival features the unique vocals of keyboardist/leader Julius Pittman, guitarist Randy Moss, bassist Audie Stanley, drummer Chris McIntyre, tenor sax player John Stanley, tenor/baritone sax player Howard Smith, and trumpeter/flugelhorn Dave Triplett. Six additional players are studio guests for keys, horns, percussion, and background vocals.

What music fan doesn’t enjoy the sound of great music? This just happens to be great old school soul from the late 60s and the great horn bands of the 70s. Enjoy “Bucket List’s”

Incredibly well done remakes, and to Julius the producer, thank you for that old school stereo -- that discrete, it’s allreet!

This just happens to be great old school soul




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Blues Underground Network John Vermilyea

When it comes to really good Soulful Blues, I like to think there are two types of magic out there, the first type is when a legend has created and sings a legendary song of his, the second is when an artist down the road is magically able to sing that song and in doing so, has paid more than sufficiant homage to the originator. Such is the case with Julius Pittman & The Revival’s Debut Release, “Bucket List”.

Consisting of 9 Tracks, Julius Pittman & The Revival, are not only able to infuse the 5 Covers that they do with new and exciting life, but they were also able to show us just how good of a band they are, by offering us 4 of their Originals, as well, and damn good Originals at that.

The Julius Pittman & the Revival consist of Julius Pittman (Vocals/Keyboards), Randy Moss (Guitar), Audie Stanley (Bass), Chris McIntyre (Drums), John Stanley (Tenor Sax), Howard Smith (Baritone ann Tenor Sax), and Dave Triplett (Trumpet and Flugelhorn). Together, this band makes up one of the more popular Soulful Blues Bands around today.

In addition to Julius Pittman & the Revival being one hell of a good band, the most remarkable thing is that “Bucket List” is only their Debut Release, which means we can expect a lot more great music in the future from these guys.

For those that really enjoy the Soul and Blues from the likes of Al Green and Albert Collins, you are simply going to love, Bucket List.

I give Bucket List my Blues Underground Network’s 5***** Rating... This is an exceptional Debut Release and Highly Recommended...

This is an exceptional Debut Release and Highly Recommended




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Icon Magazine

The spirit of late ‘60s and early ‘70s soul music runs through Bucket List, the debut album by Julius Pittman & The Revival. Some of it is in the songs (a spirited version of Al Green’s “Tired of Being Alone” opens the album) and some of it is in the playing and arranging, most notably the band’s three-man horn section that is reminiscent of the Memphis Horns and the early work of the band, Chicago.

Pittman, who plays keyboard and sings, recalls the pleading style of Otis Redding and Solomon Burke on “Ready to Learn,” a song originally recorded by Jack Mack and the Heart Attack. Pittman’s original songs, such as the uptempo “Sideshow” and “Love Came Out of Nowhere,” fit in well alongside the older material.

There are echoes of Stax and Hi Records, the classic Memphis music labels, on the album, while “Does Your Mama Know About Me” pays tribute to the Sound of Philadelphia with its silky sound and background vocals.




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Vintage Guitar In a time when it seems singers from ‘American Idol’ finalists to Michael Bolton apparently believe a song has to be sung with abandon from the very beginning, it’s great to hear a more subtle approach like Pittman’s. There are more dynamics, clearer emphasis where needed, and plenty of room for tasty guitar fills. This, his debut album, has all in spades... this could be his breakout.

Julius Pittman & the Revival

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