By Ken Paulson
Seven months ago, we posted this podcast featuring Gordy Quist of the Band of Heathens talking about the band re-recording in its entirety Ray Charles’ 1972 album “A Message for the People.” Gordy was excited about it, but it was one of those projects that we figured might never see the light of day.
After all, the album is little-known today and wouldn’t loom as a likely release from a vibrant Americana band in 2018.
Until now. This month the Band of Heathens will in fact release “A Message from the People Revisited.” And it’s very good.
In 1972, America was badly divided over the Vietnam War and there were the first stirrings of Watergate. Charles’ album compiled songs of patriotism, faith and social awareness, including “America the Beautiful” and covers of John Denver’s “Country Roads” and the Stevie Wonder hit “Heaven Help Us All.”
The Band of Heathens treat the material respectfully and thoughtfully, though they can’t help camping up Melanie’s “Look What They Done to My Song, Ma.”
The entire album is well done,  a breath of fresh air at a cynical time.