The Right Reverend Crow & Nathan Bell - Demokracy Blues (2026)

The Right Reverend Crow made his first appearance during the recording sessions for critically acclaimed American songwriter Nathan Bell’s 2021 study of modern American life, Red, White and American Blues

More than just an alter-ego or stage name, The Reverend represents Bell’s offering to the Blues that have nourished him from the first days of his musical career, 50 plus years ago. The son of the late American Poet, Marvin Bell, The Reverend (Bell) is poetic, and his words hit hard and real.

Five years on songwriter Nathan Bell reconvened the rhythm section of Frank Swart and Alvino Bennett at the Skunkworks Studio in Capitola, California.

Part way through the marathon session that would generate 28 songs, Swart and executive producer Brian Brinkerhoff suggested that Bell pick up the electric guitar for a couple of the more bluesy numbers. Starting with the dead thumb blues of the scathing ‘You Say Nothing’ and ending with the crushing spoken word assault of ‘A Woman’, the long overdue answer song to Free’s ‘Alright Now’, the trio created a muscular soul/blues mix that proved the perfect vehicle for Bell’s anti-fascist, pro-justice songs. Knowing they had a good thing going, they let the tape roll until they had captured a total of 13 brutally honest and urgently relevant songs.

Thus, was born the album ‘Demokracy Blues’ and the trio took on Bell’s alias: The Right Reverend Crow.

Percussionist and Drummer, Alvino Bennett has spent 60+ years as the beat behind a long list of top artists. Highlights include long stints with Dave Mason and Robin Trower as well as projects with legends like Stevie Wonder, Minnie Ripperton and Chaka Khan. Bassist/Producer, Frank Swart, is the creator of the heralded Funkwrench Blues instrumental series. His CV also includes work with the likes of Norah Jones, Johnny Copeland, Patty Griffin, John Hiatt, Guitar Shorty and Morphine. And joining them on a few tunes, is noted young gun blues guitar player Sean “Mack” McDonald, making The Right Reverend Crow the band for our times.

Songstorian and Guitarist, Nathan Bell, has been flying under the radar for more than 40 years, writing and producing the critically acclaimed Family Man Quartet albums before signing with Need to Know Music in 2018. Voted the top Americana Male Artist by Americana-UK, and topping the alternative Folk and Americana charts in the US and Europe, his albums regularly appear in year-end top ten lists despite Bell rarely touring.

If you’re tired of watching people, corporations, and artists bend the knee to this corrupt and cruel regime, The Right Reverend Crow might be just what you need.