BERTHA: Grateful Drag
Slayin’ in the Band Vol. 1
*** out of *****
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The Nashville based, Drag Queen Grateful Dead cover band, BERTHA: Grateful Drag have been playing their glamour filled live shows for a few years now on the jamband circuit. Their first live album, Slayin’ in the Band Vol. 1 is designed just like a show as tracks were taken from various recent concerts from all over the USA. As an added bonus, a portion of proceeds will benefit Trans Aid Nashville.
Formed to be a playfully defiant response to Tennessee's idiotic anti-drag legislation in 2023, the group have been a surprise success. The group are, Thomas Bryan Eaton - Guitar / Vocals, Michael Wheeler - Guitar / Vocals, Melody Walker - Vocals, Caitlin Doyle - Vocals, Justin Vorp - Drums, Jacob Groopman - Bass, Alex Jordan - Keyboards, Henry Long - Keyboard.
After an over the top introduction the band drops right into "Truckin'" as easy harmony's roll out with fun energy from the band. BERTHA's strongest attributes just may be their vocal prowess and those shine brightest on one of the albums standouts. "Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo" is a blast and the best effort here as Walker, Doyle, Eaton and Wheeler work well giving energetic flights of fancy as the track builds and rumbles.
Other highlights are the country twang of "It's All Over Now", a rocking version of "Greatest Story Ever Told" and "Cassidy" which again uses great vocals before excellent guitar soloing. The group don't go too experimental when it comes to the Dead tunes, the combo of "Scarlet Begonias > Fire On the Mountain" is fun, but fairly direct, with the keys work in "Fire On The Mountain" being the brightest star in that pairing.
However, the best/most exhilarating jamming arrives with the combination of "Viola Lee Blues > Cumberland Blues > Viola Lee Blues" which just cooks. While there are moments on the album where BERTHA: Grateful Drag are fine, if a touch standard when it comes to Grateful Dead covers, ("Friend of the Devil, "St. Stephan") this twenty minute run of music is pumping. The jams find the players leaning into their Americana core with gusto as the fiery lead guitars blaze while the drums keys and bass all work winningly to raise and release the tension.
The live sound is captured expertly as the bass and keys sound dynamic on efforts like "Mr. Charlie" while all of the vocals and guitar work beautifully, especially on the sweet sounding "Stella Blue" and finale of "Terrapin Station" (which ends via drum solo). There are some odd editing choices to leave in a few statements, or not fade songs out the end, which makes for a couple awkward transitions, but overall the sound and playing is top notch.
The truth is, half (or more) of the band's appeal is in their stage presence, inclusive message and appearance. As they state regarding this release:
"You’ll have to imagine the looks we slayed on stage, we invite the discerning head to close their eyes, tune in, and turn on to the echo of rhinestones and heels through the roar of each glitter-tinged crowd."
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Support the band, buy the album, support their cause and peep some video below:
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