"LAY WITH ME" by: REVEREND SHINE SNAKE OIL Co.

When asked about minstrel shows and the like, most people think of America in the 19th century, lampooning blacks in disparaging ways. Some recall traveling horse and buggy teams peddling miracle medications and other products. Yet others go back even further to the professional entertainer of 12th and 17 century: The juggler, acrobat, storyteller, secular musician and instrumentalist. But I will tell you a tale of magnanimous proportion that will expose the true origin of the minstrel.

See, the minstrel is older than time, for the minstrel is time and timekeeper. Let us examine time: “the Swiss manufacture it, the French hoard it, Italians squander it, Americans say it is money and the Hindus say it does not exist…” Replace the word time with God or the Devil and you would probably find the same attitude from each of the respective cultures. These Archetypes (Time, God & the Devil), these icons and symbols are all gifts from the “MINSTREL”, for he is the Great storyteller, the first storyteller, who sang the world into existence. Go to Africa now and you will see him sitting there in a cool earthen room pounding his rhythm out on a gimbrie singing his story, the oral tradition.

We at REVEREND SHINE’S SNAKE OIL Co. were born into this same tradition and have come to spread the light, cooking up food for thought in our Soul Kitchen and Spreading the word through our medicine show, selling our elixir everywhere we go. We are a Flea Circus of Magicians, Court Jesters, Musicians and Storytellers.
– The Plum Wine Poet

Celebrate the “American Sound” or what some refer to as roots music. I have always loved folk, gospel and the most primitive of Blues. I see little difference in their architecture and an almost identical, very real practical application within their social groups.
The unifying nature of this music is no mistake. The simplicity of the melodies and repetitive nature of the rhythms make for easy dissemination. These songs have been passed down from generation to generation, from Father to son and Mother to daughter. It is through their passing that families may feel some from of eternity and purpose to a sometimes senseless and or meaningless life.
These songs may be seen as mantras that may help you through your workday, or they can be used as anthems that promote communion and fellowship amongst people. Whatever the use the intent is the same. They are tools that we have been given to use to cope with this life. They are tools of imagination in which we can take solace.
SOAPBOX MUSIC is dedicated to roots music and the great American tradition.