Here’s the answer to a question probably never asked: What happens when you lay a “Babylon Sisters” groove underneath an ancient, American patriotic chant? Bassist Christian Fabian, organist Ron Oswanski and for damned sure iconic drummer Bernard ‘Pretty’ Purdie came up with that answer.
We in the USA have known about “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” since we were tots and while it might not get the same amount of plays on the Fourth of July as “America (My Country,’Tis of Thee)”, “This Land Is Your Land” or, of course, “America the Beautiful,” this artifact from the Civil War era has remained ingrained in our consciousness, a 19th century gospel tune that’s persisted to the present day.
What’s immediately apparent on the trio’s rendition of this song is Purdie is doing what he does better than anybody, and that’s shuffle; meanwhile, Fabian weaves supple bass lines around it. And then Oswanski announces that unmistakable strain on an appropriately churchy organ. When Oswanski cuts loose some hosannahs from his Hammond B3, the Purdie/Fabian rhythm section keeps giving this dusty relic sharp kicks in the pants.
“His truth is marching on,” as the song goes. And that Purdie beat is The Truth.
“The Battle Hymn of the Republic” is a track from a new Purdie Fabian Oswanski release, Move On!
Move On! is now on sale, from CAP Records.
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