Mother Blues w/Gerald McClendon - Sleeping While the River Runs
- chicagoblueseditor
- 15 hours ago
- 4 min read
Release date: August 8, 2025
Sleeping Dog Records
By Robin Zimmerman
Gerald “Soul Keeper” McClendon has certainly had a busy and successful summer. After kicking off Memorial Day weekend by playing to a packed outdoor Pavilion stage at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, he then proceeded to wow crowds everywhere from Evanston’s SPACE and the Venue in Aurora to the DesPlaines Theater, and Chicago’s swanky Untitled Supper Club; he also delivered a noteworthy outdoor show at the Old Post Office --an unusual but pleasant setting for a show in Chicago. McClendon added a bold exclamation point to his musical legacy when he received the Jus’ Blues Music Foundation Bobby Bland award for “Outstanding Blues Stylist and performer in the blues arena” on July 31st during a grand ceremony held in Biloxi, Mississippi.
McClendon’s run of well-deserved recognition continued in early August when his Sleeping While the River Runs was re-released to coincide with the Jus’ Blues honor. Although it first came out twenty years ago, this collaboration with the Mother Blues band continues to pack a powerful punch as it allows McClendon to showcase his blues-based vocal stylings on everything from soul-infused ballads and swampy blues to the R & B numbers that have made McClendon such a popular live draw around these parts.
While McClendon’s incredible vocals twist and adapt to every musical style on Sleeping While the River Runs, this passion project wouldn’t be possible without the many contributions from Steve Bramer who penned the majority of the 17 songs featured on this release via his own Sleeping Dog label. Bramer also produced Sleeping while the River Runs and plays guitar, bass, keys and percussion as he fronts the talented Mother Blues crew.
Like so many successful partnerships, the Bramer/McClendon collaboration took some time to evolve. After immersing himself in the Michigan music scene, Bramer made the move to Chicago to form his own band doing mostly original material. A call for a strong lead vocalist led to a long-time partnership with blues powerhouse Sharon Lewis, dating back to 1991. Besides making beautiful music with Lewis, Bramer continued to hone his skills as a songwriter.
All the while, Bramer was very aware of McClendon and his impressive pipes. He pitched one song to him, but McClendon turned down the opportunity as he deemed the song as too “country.” Flash forward to 2005 and Bremer was ready to take his music to the next level, along with a wealth of song material. He had written a slew of tunes for Sharon Lewis but believed that McClendon would be the perfect vocalist to present the music from a male perspective.
With McClendon fronting the veteran Mother Blues band, Bramer also put together an A-team in the studio. He brought on engineer Jerry Soto who had worked with everyone form Buddy Guy to Eddy Clearwater and had an ear for the Stax Records/Muscle Shoals R & B bluesy vibe that Bramer, McClendon and Mother Blues were shooting for. Sleeping While the River Runs was recorded at Soto Studios and the re-release is dedicated to the memory of Jerry Soto.
Although this was first released in 2005, Sleeping While the River Runs, remains relevant twenty years later. This could be because this kind of music never goes out of style and McClendon, like the great soul singers of old, has a timeless voice that works perfectly with all Bramer’s stellar material.
McClendon comes out swinging and slinging the heavy Stax sound on the first track. “Pass You By” is reminiscent of the old soul ballads from the sixties. But McClendon is nothing if not versatile as proven on songs like “Smokescreen” where he easily segues from sixties soul to old-school blues, with some killer guitar riffs from Bramer thrown in for good measure.
“Keep You from Harm” was Bramer’s tribute to his newborn son and this ballad is one of the many standouts on Sleeping While the River Runs. McClendon’s voice oozes tenderness as he croons lines like “As you’re here in my arms, let daddy keep you from harm.”
It’s a whole different vibe on the next number as “Leaves Tremble on the Tree” has a swampy blues feel with some terrific harp work by Hurtin’ Burt. This catchy tune will have your toes tapping and fingers snapping despite the song’s nightmarish theme that came from a “sordid experience with gun-toting coke heads” that Bramer experienced as a traveling musician.
Bramer has said that the title track’s lyrics “flirts with giving up but the heartfelt underpinning is—there’s always hope.” And Sleeping While the River Runs also oozes positivity with its gospel vibe that’s reprised with an alternate version featuring the Halsted Street Uptown Choir on the final track. McClendon shifts back to spiritual mode on “Glory Train.” As he sings “if my time has come, I believe I’m ready,” he has ethereal back-up with Carole Baskin, Lara Jenkins and LaShann McNichols harmonizing.
Other musicians credited with making Sleeping While the River Runs flow so beautifully include Gordon Patriacha on bass, drummers Gikas Marks and Jim Barklay and Jerry Soto on keyboards. Baabe Irving was responsible for the additional horn work. This release is certainly a testament to Mother Blues’ versatility as they take on everything from the rocking style of “Habit of the Heart” and the lament-laden, blues soaked “Chalk Line” to gospel, swamp blues and a classic R & B groove.
Hats off to Steve Bramer and his Sleeping Dog label for having the foresight to release this stellar, 17-song album from way back when. Sleeping While the River Runs serves as a testament to the lasting power of soul, gospel and blues as it showcases the voice of the man with the pipes to pull it off. Gerald McClendon continues to prove time and time again why his “Soul Keeper” moniker is well-deserved.
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About the Author: Blues enthusiast Robin Zimmerman, a.k.a. Rockin' Robin, writes a Blues Blog and is a regular contributor to Chicago Blues Guide
To stream or purchase the album:
Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B0013RAY28
Spotify: https://bit.ly/466vFbX
Artist websites:
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