Brad Fielder - Demons​+​Rationals (2024)

A nostalgic wave washes over me with every listen to Demons + Rationals, the latest release from Oklahoma song-writer/performer Brad Fielder. He is a master at tapping into the that pre-war music vein and breathing new life into that style with new, original songs. His music blend blues, ragtime, folk, and country, and is performed acoustically, often using a resonator guitar. According to Fielder, the music on this record draws its influence at the ‘intersection between Saturday night and Sunday morning” catering to both hooligans and bible-thumpers. With Fielder on guitars, vocals, and harmonica, he is backed by Charley Reeves on sousaphone and bass fiddle, Brandon Brunious on six string banjo and electric guitar, Megan Harris Brunious (Hank III, Peaches) on vocals, accordion, percussion, and trumpet, Jesse Armerding on drums and percussion, and Juel Niimi on trombone.

Fielder quickly draws my attention with “Little Lake Turnaround”. His masterful lyrics have a fascinating Charles Bukowski appeal and a Jimbo Mathus sense of presentation. Following up next is “Outreach Bibles” in which Fielder tells the story of a depression-era bible salesman. I couldn’t help but think about the 1973 film Paper Moon. Megan Harris Brunious steps in for a wonderful duet on “Daddy’s Water” a song which reminds us that our hidden secrets are often revealed once we encounter death. She also heads-up lead vocals on the beautiful folk-spiritual “Catch That Spirit and Fly”. Fielder places the trifecta of consumption at the front of the line in “Eatin Drinkin Smokin”. This song has a way of rattling around in my head long after hearing it, and I don’t mind a bit. Demons + Rationals is an amazing listen from start to finish.